RACE 1: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-4-3-5

We’ve got eight races on the card today, the first Thursday of racing this year. #1 Wild Behavior (2-1) gets the nod in a wide-open contest. He’s going first off the claim by Kieron Magee and first off a brief respite. He outfinished his dueling partner by three lengths last out, but was no match for a rival who sat a perfect trip. #4 Spring the Beast (5-1) has improved his brisnet figure substantially in each of his last three starts, running a 79 last out after leading most of the way. He lasted through pace pressure in that race, but usually sits just off the lead, which could give him an ideal setup in this case. #3 Military Hop (5-2) is 5-for-8 over this track, but showed little in his last two starts at Parx. He ships back here for the Jamie Ness/Jaime Rodriguez combo and will look for improvement.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

7-2-1-5

#7 Cocktail Dreaming (1-1) overcame a wide trip to win at this level last out. She ran a 79 that day, the third time she’s run at least that fast, and the best last-out figure in the field by five points. She’ll be very tough if she runs her race. #2 Fancee Grace C (7-5) has led and tired in her last few starts, but she’s dropping in class and is much faster than anyone else early on. If she’s ever going to go gate-to-wire, it’ll likely be in this race. #1 Don’t Tell Deren (5-1) has shown decent closing speed in some of her recent races, but has very inconsistent form.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

6-4-3-2

The rainbow pick 6 starts here. #6 Langlee Avenue (7-5) joined the Brittany Russell barn earlier this month after spending some time in southern California, and has had about a month to get acclimated to Maryland. He was assumedly transferred here for his first start because he isn’t quite good enough for the big boys yet. The question is, can he run well enough to win this, or is he a total slug? If he can at least run in the mid-80s, he should get the job done. I’ll watch the board with him. #4 Porch Swing (4-1) closed well for third in his first real start last out, running a solid 82 in the process. He had a sharp bullet workout last Sunday, going four furlongs in 48 3/5 seconds. #3 Sheriff Ronnie (7-2) has dramatically improved in his last few starts, running an 85 last out when stretching out to seven furlongs for the first time.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

4-8-3-2

This race begins the late pick 5. #4 Nibbles (4-1) fought for the lead with a longshot while wide in her last start, but held on to clear her n/w2L condition. The second and third-place finishers in that race came back to finish 1-2 next out. Here, there isn’t much speed, so Nibbles should get a good setup on the front end. #8 Lucky Lorraine (8-1) is also coming off a n/w2L win, but by contrast, she likes to come from way off the pace. She came from seventh to win last out, racing wide throughout and taking full advantage of the long one-turn mile stretch. Even if she can’t catch Nibbles late, she can rally for a slice. If #3 Mo Fire (7-2) can figure out how to switch leads, she might be able to run them down late. As things stand now, however, she’s hit the board in her last four starts without a win. She adds blinkers here; we’ll see if that makes an impact.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-6-4-2

#5 Shadow Box (4-1) one of two recent Charles Town maiden-breakers in this one, went gate-to-wire to win his first start in six months last out. He’s coming off a little bit of a layoff here, having not raced since mid-February, but nonetheless has plenty of upside. #6 Patriotic Party (5-2) has tired after dueling in his last two starts against better, but broke his maiden impressively on this track last fall when he sat just off the pace. The class drop will benefit him; a more relaxed pace will benefit him further. #4 Bustinupishardtodo (12-1) also broke his maiden at second asking at Charles Town last out, running just a few points below Shadow Box did in his victory. However, this one is likely to go off at a much higher price.

RACE 6: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-7-9-4

#1 Albertano (5-2) has won two in a row at this level, defeating many of his rivals in here along the way. He rated a great trip on the rail to win last out and should get a similar setup here. #7 Velvet Ghost (9-2) has been second behind Albertano in his last two starts. He’s improved his figure with every start since making his 2022 debut in mid-February but hasn’t been around two turns around here yet. We’ll see if he can carry his speed farther than he’s accustomed to. #9 El Hermano (4-1) has closed well in his last few starts at Parx, and while that kind of closing kick would make him a factor if he replicates it, this is his first start on this track, and form doesn’t always transfer here.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

7-1-4-3

#7 Haleigh B (7-5) chased the promising Fuhgeddaboudit in her last few starts, and also competed against next-out winner Golden Effect and Summer Odds, who was fourth in the Conniver Stakes. She’s run at least an 84 in her last three starts, while her rivals between them have only hit that mark once in their last three races. #1 That’s Some Kiss (3-1) has run lifetime tops in her last two starts, getting second at this level las tout after a great stalking trip. She lost to a rival who rated a similar trip and got going once she switched leads, but nonetheless, it was a promising effort for this one. #4 Betcha By Golly (5-1) cuts back from 1 1/16 miles and will be very prominent on the early pace.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

3-6-2-7