RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

3-1-5-6

Maiden claimers kick off another racing week. #3 Here Comes Rusty (7-2) goes first off the claim by Kieron Magee. He pressed the pace and finished fourth at this level last out, in what proved to be a productive race (runner-up Maryland Moon has won his last two starts, while winner Great Call and third-place finisher I Wanna Rock hit the board in their most recent). His two most prominent rivals are taking somewhat suspicious class drops, giving Here Comes Rusty the edge in my book. #1 Common Prosperity (5-2) showed brief speed and faded at the $30,000 level first off a long layoff last out, and now drops in for $10,000 when he could be in for $12,500 (Here Comes Rusty is also in for the lower tag, but it’s only a drop of $2,500). He ran a brisnet figure of 73 on debut before going to the sidelines, and he could improve second off the layoff. #5 Hurrying Home (4-5) ran a big race when wide on the lead against $30,000 types last out, and now drops in class of that race for Brittany Russell. His connections and his sharp last-out figure ensure he’ll get action, probably too much of it.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-8-2-3

#7 Hemp (5-2) has faced better Maryland-bred allowance foes in his last few starts, and now gets some class relief. He pressed Arden’sluckytobe, a speedy sort who has turned a new leaf in his recent races, and faded in the last eighth. Two starts ago, he pressed Take a Hint and Freeze the Fire, both of whom are sure to take action later on the card. The horses this one will have to press today are a lot more susceptible to fading. #8 Black Ice (6-1), a filly going against the boys, faded after a wide trip last out. She’s much better going shorter, and was a solid-closing fifth after racing wide two starts ago. While she’s likely to get caught wide for the third straight start, she should still back enough of a late punch to make an impact. #2 Heldish (9-2) makes his first start off a two-month break for Mike Trombetta. He was a bounce-back fourth against similar in his last start before going on the sidelines, and has lots of upside.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

2-6-7-4

#2 Little Baby Girl (10-1) just missed in her dirt debut two starts ago, then stopped badly over a wet track last out. We’ll see if the return to a fast surface wakes her up. #6 Islandinthestream (4-1) has a similar profile, having faded late going 1 1/16 miles after an overland trip. She ran a career-best race on the lead at Mahoning Valley in her prior outing, but it was a bit of an outlier figure compared to her other races. #7 Asawer (4-5) certainly has the class edge over these, having finished third in the UAE Oaks last February. She makes her first start since last March 11 here, and her stateside debut for new trainer Phil Schoenthal. Her workouts have been solid, but Schoenthal isn’t great first off a layoff, and those class lines are sure to attract action. I’ll fade her here. Note that she’s exempt from the claiming tag, since she’s a Maryland-bred.

RACE 4: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-3-1-5

Even though he doesn’t have a lot of “1” notations in his running lines, #7 Commanding General (6-1) has by far the best early pace figures in the race. He got caught up in a fast pace last out, and held on to finish second. If his people sense his early speed, he can try to clear them from the outside post and keep going. #3 Charge to Victory (2-1) has finished third at this level three starts in a row, though he faced better rivals each time, including the likes of Grand Wiser, Paradise Pride, and Hanalei’s Houdini. There’s no one in that caliber here. #1 Captain Cardo (9-2) has the best late pace figures in the race by a longshot. While he’s likely to leave himself with too much to do going six furlongs, he’s a good bet for the underneath spots.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

7-1-4-5

#7 Gabriel Seven (9-2) was well-beaten by the impressive Burningupthedough last out, but outran the others for his second straight figure of at least 63, a mark none of these have achieved in their last three dirt starts. #1 Galactic Glory (8-1) made a promising move on debut at Woodbine, a race where he was the lone first-time starter in the field, He flattened out and ended up fifth, but it was an encouraging effort, and he could move forward off of it second time out. #4 Never Grow Up (4-1) has declined a bit in his last few starts, but did go 1 1/16 miles last out, which was probably a bit too far for him. Though Gabriel Seven is consistently faster than him, he should be able to outkick the rest.

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

2-8-1-3

#2 Full Proof (9-5) was flat first off a three-month layoff, and now drops in for a tag for the first time. While he’s been visually unimpressive outside of his maiden win in late September, he was also facing a lot better rivals than the ones he’ll see here. He ran a 71 and 74 in his last two races; those types of figures contend in this race. #8 Wesley Thomas (4-1) is one of a few in here exiting the race at this condition on Jan. 7. He made mild ground late and got third, and now returns in a race where he has the best recent late pace figures. He could make a mild splash late. #1 Little Lance (5-1) ran a game race on the lead two starts ago, but couldn’t get to the front and tried first off a seven-week layoff last out. I would’ve liked to see a workout since that last race, but he should still benefit from a class drop.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

7-2-4-3

#7 I’m a Cutie Pie (7-5) is well-deserving of heavy morning line favorite status. She’s run at least an 81 in each of her last three starts; only one of her rivals has done so at any point in their careers. She won on the lead at this level two starts ago, and was second behind the promising Sheilahs Warcloud in her most recent. #2 Blue Trillion (8-1) converted the trip to break her maiden last out with a career-best 75. She’ll go first off the claim for Damon Dilodovico, who tends to connect with his recent claims. #4 You Can’t Win (6-1) ran a career-best 75 first off a three-month layoff last out. She broke her maiden in gate-to-wire fashion two starts back, but has also shown good late speed from off the pace.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-2-4-5

#3 Mr. Antonelli (6-1) ran huge in his maiden-breaking win at Delaware Park last September, which was also his dirt debut. Everyone else who was near the pace ended up well-beaten, but Mr. Antonelli had more to give and won going away with a 90. He hasn’t raced since, but he’s worked well since, and looks ready for a big race first off the bench. After a few near-misses, #2 Take a Hint (1-1) put it all together last out to beat a Maryland-bred allowance field as much the best, running a career-best 95. He beat Freeze the Fire, who is also in here, handily, while third-place finisher Arden’sluckytobe won his next start at that condition. This one should protect position on a potential hot pace. If the pace melts down, #4 Swifty Devil (4-1) is bound to take advantage. He’s run in the 90s twice in his last three starts, and has solid tactical speed along with a recent bullet workout.