RACE 1: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

5-3-1-6

#5 Neolithica (7-2) is the only one here who has beaten winners, having gone gate-to-wire against slight weaker winners last out with another career-best brisnet figure of 74. No one else in here looks like they’re particularly speedy, so it’s likely Horacio Karamanos will send again and try to steal it. #3 Bootsy’s Merlot (4-1) chased Neolithica last out and finished second, improving dramatically for the second straight race to a 72. She’s held her own against better earlier in her career, and should be heard from late. #1 True Sunshine (3-1) was a very impressive maiden-breaker in early October, and will continue to try and find her best self here after struggling against better in her last few.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $8,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-4-8-3

My top two picks finished first and second in the same race at this condition on December 29. #5 Remembering WIlbur (5-2) won his second in a row that day, pressing the early leader into a 5 1/2-length defeat and fending off #4 Crownedcountcristo (8-1). Remembering Wilbur thrives at this level, having run in the 80s in each of his last four starts in which he’s been in for a tag, and has plenty of early speed without being a need-the-lead type. Crownedcountcristo has taken steps forward in his last few starts, running in the 80s in his last three starts after running in the low/mid-70s all summer and fall, and should get a nice trip in mid-pack. #8 Commanding General (2-1) plunges in class after a flat effort in a tough second-level contest, and did well at this level last summer, with his only win coming against conditioned claiming foes at Monmouth Park. He should be more at home against these types.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

6-4-3-2

#6 Sullivan Street (10-1) had a bumpy break last out and subsequently got thrown out of position. From there, she didn’t do much. However, she won two starts back at Charles Town after showing speed, and will be interesting if she gets away cleanly. She’s worth a look in a field where the major contenders have holes. #4 Fancee Grace C (7-2), crushed the field on the lead last out, but unfortunately for her, “last out” came on May 7. She’s put in some solid workouts since early November, and there’s no one in here who can come close to running with her early. If she gets away with an easy enough early lead, the layoff might not be an impediment. #3 Sansa Ariel (4-1) has finished second or third five times in a row against these types, running at least a 70 every time. She hasn’t shown the kick needed to beat these, but should rate off Fancee Grace C early and at least hold off most of the others fora minor share.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-6-5-2

We’ve got a division of this class for the boys and the girls today; the boys go first. #3 Prado Road (6-5), second in the Maryland Million Nursery two starts back, returned first off a two-month layoff to break his maiden going away last out after getting early pace pressure. Runner-up Dalinar came back to break his maiden yesterday as much the best. If this one duplicates his last-out mark of 87, he’ll be tough to catch. #6 Force of Justice (5-2) beat winners impressively two starts back at Charles Town, then moved into the pace and faded late in his last start. There’s lots of speed in here, and he has good tactical speed, so he could take advantage if the leaders duel each other into defeat. #5 Blame the Tux (12-1) has shown more ability on grass than dirt up to this point, most recently finishing third behind Tocayo, who has since won the Dania Bach Stakes at Gulfstream Park. In his only dirt start, the Maryland Million Nursery, he pressed the pace and faded. Still, if he can keep his positive momentum going, he should at least hold his won as long as he doesn’t completely hate the surface.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FULONGS

3-8-6-2

After showing hints of promise in his first two starts, #3 Full Irish (2-1) shone brightly last out, breaking his maiden in dominant fashion with a huge 93. He could get even better third off a nine-month layoff. #8 St. Jude (8-5), scratched out of a spot like this a few weeks back, returns here for his first start since late March. He lasted through a duel and won going away under a drive with a 94, a huge first-out number. He’s worked well recently, but it’s still a tall task to return off such a long break and face a horse like Full Irish. If he wins this one, we know he’s the real deal. #6 Midnight Renegade (6-1) raced closer to the pace than usual last out, and it paid dividends as he won going away (giving Jaime Rodriguez the fall/winter meet riding title in the process). It was a fluky race compared to his usual form, but it’s still possible he repeats it if he once again stays somewhat close to the leaders.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-8-410

Though her figure declined, #6 Duela Dent (7-2) ran a more visually impressive race last out. She set the pace as usual, but hung around for longer and salvaged second, always an encouraging sign. #8 T C Neigh (9-5) went off favored on debut in September at Pimlico, but faded after pressing the pace and hasn’t been seen since then. She’ll get some class relief for her second outing, and has lots of room to improve after running a 65 on debut. With a few month’s maturation, she could improve several points off that race, which would mean victory. #4 Blue Trillion (5-1) drops to a career-low level after a flat try against straight maiden last out, and adds blinkers. She’ll try to stay somewhat close to the leaders and pounce.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-4-5-1

Take out a dull race two starts back in the Maryland Juvenile Filly stakes, where she acted up in the gate and was no factor from there, and #2 Still Game (6-1) is in noticeably improving form. She ran a career-best 79 last out, closing well for second as the only one in the field to make up any serious late ground. #4 Miss Harriett (6-5) makes her first start outside of stakes company here. She won the Maryland Million Lassie on debut in determined fashion, then showed speed before fading against open company in the Smart Halo Stakes last out. She’s bypassed two other local stakes opportunities since then, and now returns to the races against somewhat softer. She should be a tough presence on the font end. #5 You Can’t Win (5-1) broke her maiden on the lead at second asking at Charles Town last out, and lured Fredy Peltroche in for the mount.

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

2-7-4-3

After showing some signs of life first off the layoff, #2 My Flicker (6-1) put it all together second off the bench last out, where she closed from well out of it to beat starter optional claiming foes with a career-best 97. She has the best late pace figures in the field and should once again mow them down. #7 Continentalcongres (2-1) will be My Flicker’s target. She has blazing early speed, which she used in gate-to-wire win at this level two races back, and will try to take them as far as she can cutting back from a mile. #4 Lady Zeta (3-1) races for the first time since a gate-to-wire win at Parx in October, and while she probably can’t run with Contintenalcongres early, she should at least sit close to the pace.