RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

1-4-2-8

We’ll kick off a stakes-packed day of racing with the first of two divisions of a maiden grass contest. #1 St. James the Great (6-1) has improved with each start, and closed well for second last out despite an overland trip. He faced some very nice fields at Colonial Downs over the summer, losing to the likes of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf competitors Air Recruit and Fulmineo and next-out winners Deadpan, Shards, and Cigale. #4 Modica (5-2) ran a big race on debut at Saratoga, as he led most of the way before tiring in the last eighth. The winner, Carson’s Run, went on to win the Summer Stakes at Woodbine, while second and third-place finishers Moonlight and Frontline Warrior have since won. This one has had some time off since a dull race at Kentucky Downs, but has worked well for his return. #2 Mortal Sin (6-1) has consistently run brisnet figures in the upper-60s and low-70s, and while I don’t know if he can break through to run a race that’ll win this, he should at least come on late for a share.

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

1A-3-8-4

#1A Little Lance (2-1) gets the nod as my preferred half of the Jamie Ness-trained entry. He’s the only one in the race who has beaten winners, having gone gate-to-wire impressively last out at Delaware Park. He’s never gone beyond six furlongs, but with the right pace scenario, he’ll cruise. #3 Dublshotofcourage (6-1) ran a career-best 69 last out in his first start off a 3 1/2-month layoff. He showed grit in his maiden-breaking score in June, and should sit just off the pace. #8 Dancing Mischief (9-5) broke his maiden going away in an off-the-grass affair at Saratoga in July, and now gets some class relief after facing much better on grass in his last two. That said, I’m a bit wary of him being risked for a tag this low, when he’d also fit in a first-level allowance (unless Weaver, who has three others in today, simply thought it more convenient to bring him down now and roll the dice, rather than make a separte trip).

RACE 3: CLAIMING $8,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-4-8-5

#2 Horn of Plenty (5-2) is the only one in the field who has run in the 80s in each of his last three starts. In fact, he’s run in the 80s seven times in his last eight races, the only exception coming a few starts back when he broke awkwardly. #4 Free Square (2-1) has started to round back into form following a mid-summer swoon, and should be up and on the early pace. His lone win this year came at this level, and he was a game second after getting involved in a four-way speed duel last out, losing only to Grand Wiser, an eight-time winner on the year. #8 Dr. Doyle (9-2) was a game second first off a brief layoff last out, and looks fast enough early that he could clear to the rail from the outside post.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 7 FURLONGS

2-1-4-3

#2 Whatsyourbigidea (3-1) improved sharply second time out, breaking her maiden with a professional pace-stalking score. The runner-up, Bondiva, returned to break her maiden next out (and is also in this race). This one could be sitting on another big effort. #1 Shinelikeadiamond (8-5), my preferred half of the Jamie Ness entry, has tons of early speed and has gone gate-to-wire in three of her last five starts. She could prove tough to reel in. #4 Bad Temper (10-1) ran by far a career-best race last out, drawing off to win the Maryland Million Distaff Starter Handicap with a dramatic sweep to the lead. She had run, at best, in the upper-70s throughout the rest of the year, so it’s an open question as to if she can duplicate that race. Nonetheless, she could prove a factor if the pace is fast.

RACE 5: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

9-11-8-1

This is the other division of race 1. #9 Inchon (5-1) raced wide every step last out, but had enough left to close and miss by just a length. He’ll add blinkers third time out for Graham Motion. #11 Noble Wave (3-1) ran a career-best 74 when a sharp-closing second last out at the Meadowlands, losing by a neck to a rival who saved more ground. Outside of Inchon, he has the best closing kick in the race. #8 Money in Motion (8-1) has gotten going a bit too late late in each of his last two starts, and will try to move forward at a decent price here.

RACE 6: SMART HALO STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

8-9-7-2

The first stakes race of the day pays tribute to the first Maryland Million Lassie winner. #8 Roanan Goddess (5-1) was impressive in her first start against winners last out, as she rallied up the rail and kicked on to victory with an 88, by far a career-best figure. She beat a solid first-level field that day, and while I don’t know if she can duplicate that race, considering it represents significant improvement from her dirt debut, she nonetheless has to be respected. #9 Deboisblanc (9-5) was very visually impressive last out at Indianapolis, destroying a first-level field by 13 lengths, and now ships in for Brad Cox, who woos Sheldon Russell off of Brittany’s horse. While she looked sharp in victory, she ran an 83, which is better than most of these, but I don’t know if it’s enough to merit heavy favorite status. Watch the board with her. #7 Miss Harriett (15-1) turned in a determined performance to win the Maryland Million Lassie on debut at 62-1. She set the pace from the outside and dug in in the stretch when it looked like she was about to get rolled. While this is definitely a jump in class, she might not get that much respect at the windows, and provide a lot of value as such.

RACE 7: JAMES F. LEWIS III STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

2-6-5-7

This race is named for a former trainer and the first president of the Maryland Million. A certain race on the first Saturday in May is not always on the radar screen for Lewis combatants, but it wouldn’t be a shock if #2 Copper Tax (9-5) officially jumped on the trail if he wins this race. He’s won his last four at Delaware in blowout style, with his closest margin of victory being 3 3/4 lengths. He’s run in the 90s three times in a row, including a 94 earned in gate-to-wire style in the Rocky Run Stakes going a mile last out. If he runs his usual race, the rest of these will be hard-pressed to compete. #6 Inveigled (5-2) showed some promise second time out last out, going gate-to-wire to win by daylight with a 90, a 14-point improvement from his debut. He’s getting his class test here, but has lots of upside. #5 Catahoula Moon (5-1) has improved with every start, including a sharp win in the Maryland Million Nursery last out where he sat a great trip and powered away. In his first workout since then, he worked four furlongs in an impressive 48 2/5 seconds on Sunday. That was tied for the fastest time among 52 workers at that distance, outworking Miss Georgie and Genieinabridle, who finished 1-2 in yesterday’s 5th race.

RACE 8: THIRTY EIGHT GO GO STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

7-10-2-8

This race is named after the star Maryland-bred filly of the 1980s. #7 Intrepid Daydream (2-1), long considered a filly with promise, has blossomed into her best self as of late, with three impressive wins in a row. She most recently beat an all-star field of Maryland-bred/sired fillies and mares in the Maryland Million Distaff, running a season’s-best mark of 95. She’s never gone this far before, but ran a game third, beaten less than a length, in the one-mile Caesar’s Wish Stakes in July, so the distance isn’t too much of a question mark. #10 Opus Forty Two (9-2) ran a huge race on the lead last out, setting the pace and holding on over second-level foes. Runner-up Saddle Up Jessie returned to win impressively last Saturday at that same level.This one has a tall task ahead of her from the outside post into the first turn, she’ll try to get there as best she can and work out the same trip as last time. Fan favorite #2 Luna Belle (7-2) ran a solid-closing third behind Intrepid Daydream in the Maryland Million Distaff, her first start in more than a year. She’s already won around two turns, and her closing style suits the distance.