RACE 1: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

6-5-3-2

It’s gonna be a hot one to begin the final week of the Preakness meet. #6 Cavalry Command (2-1) has fought on the early lead and faded in his last two starts, but held on better than usual last out, securing third against older horses. He looks fast enough to clear these and get a more favorable pace setup. #5 Cypres Station (3-1) improved dramatically in his two-turn debut last out, breaking his maiden in gate-to-wire style with a career-best brisnet figure of 71. He hadn’t shown much speed in his first two starts, while Cavalry Command is a more proven front-runner. We’ll see which strategy is employed here. #3 Rascally Rebel (8-1) has run in the 70s in his last two starts with solid late pace figures. He’ll hope for a fast early tempo.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

7-4-6-2

#7 Ricochet (2-1) was claimed out of a dull race at Keeneland last out by Will Walden, who returns him to the grass and ships him from Kentucky. He won back-to-back races on grass in New York last year, sitting great trips and kicking on late both times. He’s facing easier foes than he did in either of those races and should thrive with the return to the lawn. The only one comparable to him figure-wise at his peak is #4 Two by Two (4-1). He was in improving form on grass towards the end of last year at Canterbury Park, but did not show the same aptitude on dirt earlier this year while bouncing around barns. He had a tough trip while wide in his first start for the Jamie Ness barn at Parx last out. #6 One Two Kid (6-1) improved drastically in his second grass start of the year last out and should be heard from late. He stayed reasonably close to a slow pace last out and lost by just a length.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

6-5-4-2

#6 Goldrush Hottie (7-2) got run off her feet on debut by front-running winner Hidewright Away, but she outkicked the others and got second with a solid 73. Any improvement second time out makes her dangerous. #5 P J’s Rider (5-2) goes first out for Brittany Russell, who has had a very strong spring meet and has the meet title all but wrapped up, even though there’s still three days left in the season. This one is a half-sister to three winners and has worked very well since getting on the worktab in late March. She’ll likely get overbet due to her connections, but she’ll be tough if she can run at all. #4 How Sweet She Is (7-2) closed from way out of it to get third behind Goldrush Hottie last out, in her first start off a long layoff. She has a bullet workout since then, going three furlongs in 36 2/5 seconds.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-8-7-3

#4 Ballyhooly (6-1) lasted a long way on the lead last out, in her first start off a year and a half layoff, She ran as high as a 75 on grass as a 2-year-old, which puts her right in the mix with the others. She’ll be tough second off the break as a 4-year-old. #8 Write This Down (9-2) goes first off a brief layoff for Horacio De Paz. She showed improved form on grass throughout last year, and was a solid third last out behind two next-out winners. #7 Sweet Beauty (2-1) fought gamely on the lead last out, outfinishing her dueling partner but settling for second behind a rival who sat a great trip. She should show good tactical speed in her grass debut.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/8 MILES

7-6-5-2

#7 Ocean Getaway (7-5) drew off to break her maiden in professional fashion at Aqueduct last out, albeit over three other rivals. She’s run in the 80s in every start and looks well-meant for Christophe Clement. #6 Fast Tracked (9-5) had a bit of a tumultuous trip last out, but closed for third in a much improved performance from her first two starts of her sophomore campaign. She showed promise last year and will try to keep moving forward here. #5 Major Houlihan (4-1) has run in the 80s in her last two starts and was second last out when she had the misfortune to run into Goodgirl Badhabits.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-5-1-12

#2 Flirtatious Lass (3-1) broke on top and maintained control throughout to win impressively last out, in her first start of the year. It was easily her best effort on this surface, and if she breaks well she has license to duplicate it. #5 Bosserati (6-1) would take advantage if Flirtatious Lass doesn’t last on the front. This one pressed the pace and kicked away to win her grass debut last out. Any Brittany Russell horse can’t be disregarded, of course. #1 Chromeplated Heart (5-2) stalked the pace and held sway for a slice in her first two starts off the claim by Mike Trombetta. She’s improved her figure in each of her last three grass starts, earning an 81 when second in her last grass race at Gulfstream Park in March.

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

4-3-2-1

#4 Response Time (8-5) looked like a star on the rise over the winter, but her plans were derailed somewhat following a poor performance in the Conniver Stakes last out. She received some time off after that race and has some strong workouts since early May. She ran in the mid-90s over the winter; that kind of figure would beat these. #3 Golden Effect (5-1) set the pace and held on gamely to beat second-level foes last out. She’s run in the upper-80s consistently lately, but has yet to break beyond that in her last few starts. #2 Moody Woman (7-2) has a strong closing punch and was a solid-closing fourth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths, in the Primonetta Stakes last out. It might play better at Laurel Park than here, but it should nonetheless be good enough for at least a minor share.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

2-3-6-1

#2 Bar Down Express (7-5) fought hard in his last two starts but settled for second both times. He’s going third off the layoff here and should be able to set the pace on his own terms. #3 Inspired Irish (5-2) ran a big race while wide in his last dirt start and goes second off the layoff. #6 Money Room (3-1) was fourth behind Bar Down Express and made even ground off the pace last out. He’s run races that contend with these, but the 0-for-13 record is a red flag.