RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

9-3-1-2

More great weather awaits us for today’s 10-race card. #9 Winners Laugh (6-1) has faced better in his last two grass starts in New York and has run brisnet figures in the mid-80s both times. He has great tactical speed and should work out a good trip. While his last race, on dirt at Aqueduct in late September, was poor, he’s had a good recent workout since then, suggesting that he’s back to his old self. #3 Rebel Posse (4-1) narrowly missed against similar twice over the summer at Colonial Downs, then faded after a wide trip against better in his local debut. He’s dropping in class from that race and adds blinkers. #1 Strugar (8-1) hasn’t raced on grass in a while, but has by far the best late pace figures in the field, and should gobble them up late as long as he can handle the surface.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $25,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

8-1-3-2

#8 Liquidator (5-1) ran a lot of big races on the lead earlier this year, including a game second-place effort in the Miss Disco Stakes, but has stopped badly in her last two starts. Have her big efforts caught up to her, or does she simply need a drop in class? I’m betting on it being the latter. #1 Happy Clouds (5-2) and #3 Shiny Slam (7-2) exit the same race on October 7. Happy Clouds made a move from off the pace and caught late, settling for second. Shiny Slam, meanwhile, came from further off the pace and made what looked like a menacing move, but ended up third. That performance from Happy Clouds demonstrated that she can come from off the pace, meaning she won’t necessarily be at the mercy of Liquidator’s pace pressure. If that one tires, Happy Clouds can take advantage from off the pace on the rail, and Shiny Slam can chase her home.

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

2-3-10-6

#2 Our Legal Tender (7-2) rallied well from off the pace and just missed on debut, then flattened out after showing speed on dirt last out. He switches back to the lawn here, which looks like his preferred surface, and should move forward here. #3 Enzo (5-2) is a full brother to Maryland Million Turf Sprint champion Witty and a half-brother to defending Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint heroine Caravel. His half-brother, Mission Man, finished second in a first-level allowance race yesterday. This one raced greenly in his debut, but made solid ground in the last eighth, and should improve as long as he can keep a straight path. #10 Break the Chains (30-1) is an intriguing longshot. He set an ambitious pace on debut on grass and faded. Next out at Charles Town, he bore out on the turn after showing speed and was eased. He’s been gelded since then, and has some good recent workouts. I’m not sure if he can last on the front end, but he should at leas the prominent early and will have every chance to hang on for a share at a price.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

2-4-6-9

#2 Court Contender (4-1) faded after a wide trip at Delaware Park last out, but ran a sharp 71 on debut two races ago when he saved more ground. He should improve with a better trip and the addition of lasix. #4 Sergeant Sherman (30-1) ran a respectable 65 and a 57 in his last two dirt starts earlier this year, and drops in class after facing better foes on grass in his last few. He should at least rally for a share at a good number. #6 It’s Birdie Birdie (5-1) faded after a speed duel first off a brief layoff last out. He made mild ground on debut at Monmouth Park over the summer, and may enjoy extra distance.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

12-2-6-8

#12 Momentous Miss (7-2) has been pounding on the door for a while, with three consecutive runner-up finishes, each time beaten less than a length, at Colonial Downs. She finds herself in a field where she consistently has the best figures, so if there’s ever going to be a race where she’ll sustain her kick and draw off, it’ll be this one. #2 Lady Ensign (9-2) broke her maiden two races ago as much the best, then just missed behind Momentous Miss in her most recent. She’s getting better at the right time, and should also pack a strong late punch. #6 Cora’s Choice (10-1) was a game third at this level last out behind New Rome, who came back to beat conditioned claimers going away, and should get a nice trip near the pace.

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

1-3-4-5

This race begins the late pick 5, with a carryover of over $9,000. Following double-digit length defeats two and three starts back, #1 Rubys Flash (9-5) turned in an improved effort last out, battling all the way with longshot Dream River before losing by a head. He has speed from the rail, and should bowl over the rest of these. #3 Malibu Slew (5-2) finished third behind Rubys Flash last out after a wide trip. If he can rate off that rival in the two-path or so, he has a shot of turning the tables. #4 Imagine the Glory (6-1) goes first out for Jerry Robb and Xavier Perez, always a dangerous trainer/jockey combination with 2-year-olds. I’ll watch the board with this one.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

5-15-2-8

#5 Artemus Bridge (2-1) has won twice in three starts since returning from a four-month break in late July. In his most recent start, he surged wide and beat a better field at this condition. He should roll by them once again. #15 Colbaloaf (7-2) pressed the pace most of the way last out, but got swallowed up by Hunter Joe. Even if Artemus Bridge plays that role here, this one should have enough tactical speed and late punch to hold off the rest. #2 Mr. Shades of Gray (3-1) faced better last out, including the likes of You Must Chill, and made decent ground in the last sixteenth once he got out of racing between horses.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

1-7-8-2

#1 Big Cheeks (2-1) has run at least an 81 in each of her last six starts, a territory most of her rivals have trouble reaching at all. She’ll come from off the pace and look to take full advantage of the long stretch run. #7 Royal Whisper (9-5) earned two game victories going shorter over the spring and summer, and takes a drop in class off back-to-back off-the-board finishes against second-level allowance foes. She has great late speed, but has never been beyond six furlongs. #8 Out of Sorts (9-2) makes her first start since having a claim on her voided in late August. She’s had in-and-out form for a while now, but at her best, she’s a dangerous front-end presence.