RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

4-8-2-1

The 11-race extravaganza will kick off with some maidens on the dirt. #4 Party Is Over (2-1) ran huge in her dirt debut at Monmouth Park last out. She battled in a three-ply duel for the lead, and while her two partners finished well behind, she fought on in the stretch and ended up second. While she might’ve lost by more had the winner found room sooner, it was nonetheless a strong effort, and she looks like much the best of the speed horses here. #8 Flitter (6-1) has run similar races in her two starts, stalking the pace and holding on for a share both times. Perhaps the addition of blinkers will help her stay focused late. #2 Cushee (6-1) makes her first start off a long layoff for Mike Stidham. She showed some promise on debut at Fair Grounds last December, but was eased next out, and hasn’t been seen since. It’s hard to know what to make of her, but if this $775,000 yearling purchase is on, she might be tough to beat.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

9-5-14-13

#9 Pounding Music (4-1) won the Maryland Million Turf Distaff Starter Handicap next year, and could well be prepping for a title defense here (we’ll find out tomorrow when pre-entries come out). Though she showed little in her season debut two starts ago, she closed well late for third last out after running last most of the way. She’s run brisnet figures in the 80s twice in her last three grass starts, a range everyone else here struggles to reach. #5 Please Marry Me (15-1) held second after setting the pace last out. The winner, Hope Over Fear, returned to beat starter optional claiming foes at Pimlico for her third win in a row. This one looks like the main speed of the race. #14 Hot Choice (10-1) closed well against these types earlier this season, and has run consistently solid figures over the past year.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

6-7-3-8

When this race was carded for last Saturday, #6 Passage of Lines (5-2) looked like tons the best on paper. He’s won three of his last five races, with figures in the 90s three times in that stretch, and has good tactical speed. He should be tough if he gets the right trip, especially with the speedy Bob Marco setting the pace, but he now has a more formidable opponent to deal with. The only bad figure #7 Midnight Act (8-1) has run as of late came at Timonium. Take that race out, and he’s in improving form, including a strong 95 earned in victory last out at Penn National. He’ll have to run his best to beat Passage of Lines, but if you want an alternative to the favorite, he’s your best bet. #3 Dolice Vita (5-1) closed well for second last out, on Memorial Day Saturday, and has faced salty rivals all year while in improving form.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

9-8-14-12

#9 Apple Shake Shake (2-1) drops in for a tag on grass for the first time. She was visually unimpressive in both of her starts on this surface, but her figures fit in with these. #8 Queen Rocket (7-2) got caught late after opening up a clear lead on the turn in her most recent race. It was a bit of a change of pace from her other recent grass races. Usually, she sets the pace, but last out, she came from off a pace that, for the most part, melted down. Without a lot of speed in here, she could find herself back on the early lead. You don’t see too many Tennessee-breds anywhere, but #14 Vana Bright (15-1) fits the bill. She improved sharply to a 76 two starts back in her two-turn debut and made mild ground on the Presque Isle Downs synthetic last out.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 7 FURLONGS

6-9-1-7

#6 Liquidator (5-2) returns to dirt after a dull grass try last out, and has the best early pace figures in the race. Unlike her prior races, where she’s gotten into dogfights for the lead, I don’t see anyone being able to keep up with her. #9 Northern Glow (2-1) is the only one in the field who has run in the 80s in her last three starts, which happen to be her only three starts. She declined a bit last out when third behind next-out winner Mama G’s Wish, but ran huge in her prior two starts, and has some good recent workouts since that August 12 race. #1 Little Josie Wales (8-1) broke awkwardly last out, and in a five-furlong race, that means you’re in trouble. She rallied for third in a game effort, and is the best bet to challenge Liquidator early, if anyone can.

RACE 6: SELIMA STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

9-4-3-5

The first stakes of the day is named for one of the foundation mares of the Thoroughbred breed. Chad Brown is potent in every grass stakes he runs in, and it’s no different here, as he sends out #9 Positive Carry (3-1). She went off at 6-1 as the “other Chad” on debut at Saratoga, but closed well late and finished second. She showed good tactical speed that day, and if she moves forward off that race, she’ll be very tough. #4 Hekate (12-1) closed well off moderate fractions first time out at Colonial Downs. She crossed the wire second, but was placed first after a rival was disqualified for ducking in late. With a more honest tempo to close into, she could surprise these. #3 Low Mileage (12-1) is the lone stakes winner in the field, having taken the Jamestown Stakes going away last out. The distance is a question mark, as she’s never been beyond 5 1/2 furlongs, but she’s already shown plenty of aptitude on the lawn and has run on well late in each of her four starts. #4

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

8-7-4-3

#8 Business Model (2-1) put the swoop to the group and won in a very impressive performance at Saratoga last out, running a figure in the 90s for the third time in his last five starts. He should wolf these down in the lane once again. #7 Sir Alfred James (6-1) tends to sit nice trips and fall just short. Most recently, he finished second to upset winner Dollarization in the Lite the Fuse Stakes. He’s started to round back into his best form following a mid-summer break, and while I’m not sure if he’ll pack a winning punch, he’ll be a better price than Business Model with a similar running style. #4 No Cents (15-1) ran in the 90s consistently last year, and looks to take a step forward second off the layoff.

RACE 8: JAPAN TURF CUP, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/2 MILES (GRASS)

6-1-14-12

What’s better than a full field going long on the lawn? #6 Yamoto (2-1) came from way downtown to get second in a solid second-level race at Churchill Downs. Mike Maker is always dangerous with high-priced claimers in smaller grass stakes races, and this one fits the bill, as he was taken for $50,000 at Gulfstream Park in March. #1 Bear Oak (3-1) ran huge last out in his return to grass, converting a stalking trip to win at Saratoga with a very strong 99. He has to stretch out from 1 3/16 miles here, but he should at least get another great setup on the inside. #14 Ajourneytofreedom (30-1) has some early speed and has run some big figures in his recent grass start, with at least a 95 in two of his last four tries on the lawn. He could prove dangerous on the lead at a big number.