RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

12-1-8-6

We’ll begin Jim McKay Maryland Million week with some maidens on the grass. #12 Little Baby Girl (10-1) is one of the lighter-raced horses in here, having competed just twice, and has made decent late rallies in both those races. Many of the contenders in here have abundant early speed, and if they all fall apart, she could pick them up and lay them down. #1 Run Around Slew (6-1) has improved her brisnet figure in each of her last two grass starts, most recently finishing second at Colonial Downs when a determined second on the lead. She doesn’t have as strong early pace figures as many of her rivals, and has shown tactical speed in the past. As such, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her rate and try to pounce in the stretch. #8 Lenamagnetta (20-1) improved 30 points first off the layoff two races back, rallying for fourth at 106-1. She could also pick up the pieces at a good number.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

9-7-6-5

Almost everyone in here has a clunker sprinkled somewhere within their last three starts, #9 Brasstown (1-1) has by far the highest ceiling, having run in the 90s three times in his last five starts. He stopped badly first off a brief layoff two starts ago at Parx, but rebounded nicely with a sharp gate-to-wire win at Penn National, and will be tough to beat if he runs his usual race. While #7 Formal Order (5-1) doesn’t have the ceiling of Brasstown, he’s pretty consistent. He’s the only one in the field to have run in the 70s in each of his last five dirt starts. He gets Jevian Toledo aboard in his local debut. #6 Bowie Two Step (6-1) lasted through pace pressure to win at Timonium last out, and now tries this distance for the first time. If he can handle the extra ground, he’s interesting.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

12-2-1-14

Both my top picks are Penn National shippers. #12 Crazy Kater (6-1) has won two in a row at the central Pennsylvania oval, both times coming from mid-pack to win going away. He’s taken a step forward from age 5 to 6; he’s in much better form than he was at this time last year, when he was flat on this track at this level. #2 Colbaloaf (10-1) raced wide early and faded last out, but ran back-to-back 84s in his two prior races. He’s got a much better draw here, and should rate off the pace while covered up towards the rail. #1 My Boy Colton (7-2) has won three in a row on grass for Jamie Ness, most recently gamely holding in gate-to-wire fashion to defeat next-out winner On the Engine.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-8-2-3

#5 Murray (7-5) looked like the class of the field last out and ran like it, getting up to win over Brother Conway, who won a first-level race impressively last Thursday. He turned on the jets late that day, and should improve further second off a brief layoff and the cross-country trip. #8 Magic Mule (8-1) was no match for the very impressive Post Time in his last start, but he chased the pace admirable and held on well for third. He likes to run just well enough for a share, with one win and seven in-the-money efforts this year. and should once again hang around late. #2 Kadri (5-1) fell flat after a wide trip last out, but his other recent races beat these.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

2-1-9-7

#2 General’s Duty (9-2) broke his maiden on this course last July, and has steadily improved since returning from a long layoff in the spring. Most recently, he was a hard-charging second with a wide sweep at Colonial, running his second-highest grass figure ever with an 81. #1 Dyna Mast (20-1) exits the same race as General’s Duty, and also made a nice move before flattening out in the final eighth. He faced better a few times earlier in the Colonial meet and turned in big efforts in all those races. #9 Wicked Secret (15-1) has had some time off since a dull dirt performance in late July. He closed off slow fractions to break his maiden at Parx in his last grass star; runner-up Morethanafeeling beat New York-bred maidens at Saratoga in his most recent.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

1-12-2-3

#1 Simon’s Choice (6-1) made mild ground on debut, drawing to within five lengths of the lead before being outkicked by the victorious Play Harder. Nonetheless, he ran a respectable 62 that day, good enough to contend if he moves forward in this soft field. In fact, it’s so soft, the door is open for a first-timer to win this race if any of them show anything. If he had drawn further inside, I might’ve been inclined to pick Jamie Ness firster #12 Minxzluckystarfyre (12-1), who has a short, solid worktab. He’s out of a dam who won at second asking, and his lone sibling to race was a winner at 2. #2 Mister Agent (12-1) has also been working well for Linda Albert in preparation for his debut. Both of his winning siblings, Royal Spy and Bonded, won as 2-year-olds and are entered in starter handicaps on Maryland Million day.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-10-8-9

#2 Rambert (3-1) beat better going away in her season debut three starts back, with an impressive 88. She didn’t do much against better in her next two, but ran in the low-80s both times and now gets some class relief. Any of her recent races probably beat these. #10 Paper Mansion (10-1) has blazing early speed and returns to grass for the firs time this year. She sat the trip and won her lone grass start at Delaware Park last year, running an impressive 87. #8 Hitch a Ride (12-1) has consistently solid late speed, and makes a lateral class move from Maryland-bred allowance company.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

12-8-2-9

#12 Maya Prince (3-1) won at this level at Colonial two starts ago, overcoming some trouble at the top of the stretch by angling wide and kicking away with a sharp 90. He held his own against better in the Da Hoss Stakes last out, and should once again rumble home late. #8 Rebel Posse (8-1) makes his first start off the claim by Rudy Sanchez-Solomon. He was second against softer in his last two tries at Colonial, but his recent figures are competitive with these, and with the right trip, he could spring the upset. #2 Boat’s a Rockin (12-1) has speed from towards the rail, and has works well since a dull race in the Parx Dash last out.