RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-3-6-4

A new racing week begins with some maiden claimers. #5 Ruffner (9-5) has improved dramatically with each start and took a big step forward second off a nine-month layoff last out. He showed early speed for the first time, opening up a long lead before tiring late. Still, it was by far a career-best effort, and further improvement third off the bench will make him very tough. #3 West Star (2-1) has a decided brisnet figure edge, having run in the 70s in each of his last three starts. However, he’s finished second or third ten times in his 16-race career, never a good sign. He’s never faced a field where he has this big a figure advantage, so this could be a “now or never” moment. #6 The Last Jumpstart (7-2) faded badly going a mile last out, but has run much better in recent sprints. The cutback in distance should move him forward.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $8,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

8-2-10-11

#8 Up Against It (3-1) has run subpar races in each of his last two starts, but he was also facing much better foes than the ones he’ll see here. He also has early speed in a race without much of it. This is a prime opportunity for him to sneak away on the lead. #2 Captain Cardo (8-1) is the only one in the race to run in the 80s in each of his last three starts, and has tremendous late speed. He closed well from sixteen lengths out of it last out, and won his two prior one-turn races with similar late rallies. He’ll hope Up Against It doesn’t slow things down too much. #10 Morning Thoughts (8-1) drafted further off the pace than usual in his last start following an awkward break, and cut into the eventual winner’s margin late with some solid late punch. Look for him to draft near the pace, and possibly ensure Up Against It doesn’t have too easy of a time on the lead.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

9-8-4-3

#9 Three Captains (4-1) ran a big race in his dirt debut two starts ago, getting second with a 76 behind gate-to-wire winner Mister Agent. He struggled against better last out, but even so, has the best last-out figure in the field with a 66. He should relish this relatively soft bunch. #8 Kick Startness (5-2) races for the Jamie Ness/Jaime Rodriguez duo, who teamed up to win four times on opening weekend. This one flattened out after pressing the pace last out, and looks poised for a rebound second off a three-month break. #4 Stellars in Charge (8-1) had his first workout for Jerry Robb in mid-November, and has put in several good drills since, including two bullet workouts. He looks like the best of the three first-time starters.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

2-6-1-4

#2 Always Laughing (2-1) has won three in a row by open lengths against some of the best fillies and mares on the grounds at Mahoning Valley, and now ships eastward for Anthony Farrior. She has the best last-out figure in the race by eight points and an explosive late kick that will make her tough to hold off if she stays close to the pace. #6 Carroll Girl (5-1) has also been in sharp form lately, having won four of five at Delaware Park. Last out, she won an exciting stretch duel with Izzybella, who had won two of her prior four starts. She’s had some time off since that November 3 effort, and put in a solid workout on December 23 in anticipation of her return. I would’ve liked to see a more recent workout, but she should still contend if she runs close to her usual race. #1 Big Cheeks (9-5), half of the Jamie Ness-trained entry, got up to win at Parx last out first off a two-month layoff last out. She runs the same race just about every time, drafting towards the back of the pack and coming with one late move. The hot-riding Rodriguez will try to time the move just right.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

3-9-7-11

Here’s another instance of a horse who looks like the lone speed. #3 No Easy Days (2-1) has shown speed and faded against better in his last few starts, and now takes another drop in class from the conditioned $25,000 level. He tends to run better around one turn, and that’s what he’ll get to do today. #9 Smooth Rico (8-1) ran by far a career-best race last out, stalking the pace and opening up in the stretch, ultimately holding on for second with an 87, his best figure by eight points. His tactical speed should help, and Jaime Rodriguez gets the call for the first time, but it still might be a tall ask to duplicate that performance. Still, he merits respect. #7 Rascally Rebel (30-1) exits the same race, and closed for third at 35-1. He has great late pace figures and is the only one in the race who has run in the 80s in his last two starts. At minimum, he’s worth using underneath.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

2-9-10-5

A few of these are exiting the same race at this condition on December 22. Of those, #2 Prins Fire (9-2) ran the best race of them all. He led for most of the way and dug in late, ending up beaten a half-length while running a 75 for the third time in his last five starts. If he can establish early position on the rail, he’s in good shape. #9 Strong Finish (5-1) is one of the lighter-raced horses in here, having started eight times, and should benefit from a drop from the $16,000 level. #10 Federal Offense (6-1) finished third behind Prins Fire last out after racing near the pace, continuing a string of improving figures. He should sit near the pace and hope someone else gives Prins Fire an early challenge.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

5-6-3-2

In her last start, #5 K Kake Pop (5-2) was deservedly the odds-on choice after a huge effort on debut, but was unable to settle in traffic early and didn’t have much to give when clear. She ended up second behind a stablemate, and will hope to stay out of traffic from the outside. Fellow Brittany Russell trainee #6 Independence Way (2-1) went off favored on debut in mid-November, but didn’t make much of an impact off a fast pace. She’s worked well since then and will contend here with even slight improvement off her debut. Worth noting that Sheldon Russell, who rode both of these last out, will ride K Kake Pop; Jevian Toledo gets the call aboard Independence Way. #3 Amie’s Symphony (9-2) was nosed out of third behind K Kake Pop in her last start, holding her own in the stretch while under urging. She lost ground when she checked at the break, so we’ll see if she shows more early speed today.

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

8-5-3-1

We might see some of these in the Xtra Heat Stakes in a two weeks’ time. #8 Sheilahs Warcloud (4-1) is already stakes-placed twice, having finished second in the Maryland Million Nursery and the Maryland Juvenile Filly Stakes. The horse she lost to last out, Kissedbyanangel, came back to finish third in the Glitter Woman Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Sunday. This could be considered a step up in class from those races, but she has the figures needed to contend, and turned in a sharp six-furlong workout on Saturday, suggesting she’s in prime form. Todd Pletcher ships down #5 Zuma (5-2) for his first non-stakes starter in Maryland since June of 2022. Since 2022, he’s 4-for-8 with his non-stakes starters in Maryland. This one broke her maiden impressively at Parx last out, moving up into the pace on the backstretch and drawing off by open lengths. She looks like she has a ton of upside. #3 C C Royal (3-1) ran a huge race to break her maiden going away on debut, outfinishing her dueling partner by 31 3/4 lengths while running a career-best 83. We’ll see how she handles the stretch-out from 5 1/2 furlongs.