RACE 1: CLAIMING $8,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-4-5-1

#6 Lunita (5-2) enjoyed great success at Delaware Park this summer, winning two races in a row to cap her season, and missing by less than a length in each of her prior two. She hasn’t raced since October 4, but her recent workouts for Antonio Machado have been solid, including two recent bullet drills. She’s almost certainly going to be sent to the lead by Jamie Rodriguez; her objective is to clear #4 Shinelikeadiamond (9-2), who is bound to show speed from the inside. This one goes first off the claim by Hugh McMahon and stopped after getting caught in a duel against better last out. She usually doesn’t do very well when challenged on the lead, while Lunita has shown she can withstand a little heat. She’ll have to be hard-used early to get to the front, but her early pace figures suggest she can pull it off. If the aforementioned two burn each other out on the lead, #5 My Super Sally (20-1) might be the most primed to take advantage. She hasn’t raced since a dull effort in the Maryland Million Distaff Starter Handicap on October 14, but closed well for second in three prior tries at Delaware.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-6-1A-2

I’ll try another speed horse to cap the early double. #7 Hap’s Victory (8-1) broke his maiden in impressive style at Belterra Park in April before going on the sidelines. In his first start off a seven-month layoff at Parx last out, he led most of the way before running out of gas at the top of the stretch. He should improve with a somewhat recent race and has the most early speed of anyone. #6 Prins Fire (10-1) scratched out of a $10,000 spot at this condition yesterday to run here. He led for most of the way and dug in late last out, ending up beaten a half-length while running a brisnet figure of 75 for the third time in his last five starts. He’ll look to settle off Hap’s Victory early and pounce if that one tires. #1A Box N Ben (5-2) drops from the $25,000 non-winners of two level and adds blinkers after a dull race last out. He ran game race going seven furlongs with a very solid 82 two starts back, where he was in contention in the stretch before tiring in the last moments. Six furlongs against these types might suit him better.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-3-1-2

#4 Golden Charm (7-5) went off favored in her first start at this level last out. She ran a 79, which usually wins at this condition, but ran into a buzzsaw in I Can Do It and finished second. Still, she has the best last-out figure in the field by 14 points, and even if she can’t duplicate it, her other recent race still beat these. #3 She’s All Money (7-2) showed improvement second time on dirt off the layoff last out, as she battled on the pace and hung in until the last eighth. She should have an easier time of things on the lead today. #1 Forgotten Gift (9-2) has run consistently solid figures in the low/mid-60s, and should at least pick up the pieces over the rest.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

7-1-9-5

#7 Running River (9-2) led almost the whole way going two turns last out and ended up tiring late. He’s gone gate-to-wire in his two previous starts at a one-turn mile, and looks well-suited for this spot. #1 Get Set (5-2) has run at least an 87 in each of his last two starts, including a 91 earned in a determined victory last out. He’ll draft off Running River towards the inside and hope for some room at the top of the stretch. #9 Casanova Kitten (5-1) rumbled from far out of it to win at Turfway Park last out, and is in improving form.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

5-2-3-9

#5 Notion in Motion (15-1) may well have broken his maiden on debut last out if he didn’t get stopped at the top of the stretch. As it were, he still closed well when he got clear and lost by a length. While he’s stepping up in class first off the claim today, he could prove tough to hold off with clearer sailing. #2 Dalinar (2-1) battled on the lead with odds-on choice Prado Road last out, and while that stakes-placed rival spurted away to win impressively, this one held well-clear of the others for second. He should have an easier time of things on the lead here. #3 Square Slice (12-1) was fourth behind Dalinar in his most recent, and has taken steps forward in his last two starts after a flat effort to begin his career. He’s one of two in here to have run at least a 74 twice, Dalinar being the other.

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

7-1-9-10

#7 Looking for Water (8-5) ran huge against slightly better two starts ago, losing in a three-horse photo after making up a ton of late ground. The winner, Never Done, finished second in her next start, while runner-up Gilda’s Girl was a next-out winner. This one didn’t do much against better next out, but should enjoy the class relief today. #1 Catch the Kitten (5-1) exits the same race as Looking for Water, and also didn’t do much that day. However, she nailed the ever-speedy Free Admission a few steps from the wire to break her maiden in her prior start. She’s the only one in the field with only one loss agains winners, and she’s never lost at this specific level. #9 Jess’s Gypsy Girl (9-2) faded against a better-than-usual field last out, but ran in the mid/upper-60s in her two prior races. Jaime Rodriguez gets back in the saddle after riding her two races ago.

RACE 7: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

4-1-2-8

After a surprising defeat two starts ago, #4 Paradise Pride (1-1) returned to top form last out with a smashing ten-length victory against some of the horses he’ll face here. He’s run int he 90s five times in his last seven starts, and should be tough to catch on the front end. The only one in the race who can compete with him figure-wise is #1 Ace Nine Nine (3-1), who beat him three starts back and followed it up with a dominant 10-length win at this level. He faded last out after an overland trip, but should improve with a more ground-saving journey, and will be the one to beat if Paradise Pride doesn’t fire. #2 Ekati’s Verve (6-1) has won two of his last three races, including a win at this level last out, for the hot Carlos Mancilla barn. He’s a deep closer who is sure to take full advantage of the long one-turn mile stretch.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-4-6-7

A rather inconsistent group meets for today’s feature. #1 Jeopardy James (6-1) has slowly improved over his last few starts, and prevailed against starter optional claiming foes with a dramatic late rush last out. He’s been around for a while, but has had trouble staying on the track, so it’s encouraging that he’s put together a few starts in a row. He ran in the 90s a few times earlier in his career, so you know there’s lots of ability in there somewhere. If he finds it, he wins. #4 Backnthewoods (6-1) hit the board in his last two starts at this level, including a third-place effort behind multiple stakes winner Witty last out. He should press the pace and be involved late. #6 Tenebris (2-1) was put up as the winner last out in first-level company, and looks like the main speed of this field. He gets to face a not-as-strong field in his first start at this condition, at least.