RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

7-1-3-4

I’m usually not big on betting first-time starters in situations where the rest of the field has experience, but no one who’s raced has come close to the brisnet figure par in their recent starts. That opens the door for a debuter to win if they show anything, and that’s the risk I’ll take with #7 Frosty Maya (8-1). She rejoined the worktab at Laurel in late December for Gina Perri, and has some four-furlong drills under her belt. Her sire, Uncle Lino, hits at a very respectable 17% with debuters. If she shows any ability at first asking, she’s live. #1 Harmonizing (7-5) made her first start off a 3 1/2-month layoff last out, and led briefly in the stretch before she hit the wall. She drops from the $20,000 level second off the bench. #3 Rezoom (3-1) has shown speed and faded in her first two starts at Aqueduct, both times after racing wide early on. She could be live with a more ground-saving trip.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-8-5-3

#1 Bermondsey (8-1) is one of two in here who has run in the 70s in each of his three starts, and he has abundant early speed from the rail. The only other speed in here is rather cheap, so if Bermondsey can shake him off, he could prove tough to catch. #8 Dream of Blessings (3-1), the other horse in the field with consistent 70s, will hope for a contested pace. He likes to come from far out of it, such as last time, where he made up more than 20 lengths to grab third. If the pace is modest the best he can hope for is another modest share. #5 Shoot Themessenger (5-2) closed well up the inside to grab third going shorter last out, and has run some decent figures as of late. He should rate close to the leaders.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

3-4-6-1

#3 Common Prosperity (1-1) had little chance of catching odds-on choice Hurrying Home in his last start, but still ran a strong 72, not bad for his first two-turn start and second start off an 8 1/2-month break. Going first off the claim by Jamie Ness doesn’t hurt the cause. #4 Here Comes Rusty (4-1), one of three in here exiting that Hurrying Home race, set the pace that day first off a three-month break and faded. It was a bit discouraging, but he’ll get every chance to steal it again, and should improve second off the bench. #6 Rock Bullet (7-2) closed well against better maidens at Woodbine last year, and should put in a solid late bid in his local debut.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

1-6-5-8

Both halves of the Jamie Ness-trained entry look imposing, but I give the edge to #1 Derbyness (8-5). He ran huge at this level last out, making a bold sweep on the far turn to win with an 86, beating a few of the rivals he’ll see here. His other dirt start was dismal, but he had a brutally wide trip against better that day. I don’t know if he can run back to his last race, but I think that figure is closer to his true self than his other dirt race. #6 El De Larry (9-2) has run career-best figures twice in his last three races, peaking at a 77 last out when he stalked the pace and ended up third behind Derbyness. He beat some of these two starts back with a sharp rail rally, and might try a similar move here under Jeiron Barbosa. #5 Kingdom Force (12-1) bounced back with an upset win at this level last out, and will try to keep the positive momentum going here. He’s shown strong late speed on occasion, but his inconsistency might sink him.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

6-7-2-5

#6 Razorette (5-2) ran a much-improved race at second asking, showing speed despite a bad start and hanging on for third, behind #7 Job’s Not Finished (5-1), after an overland trip. She also gets a major jockey switch to Martina Rojas. The aforementioned Job’s Not Finished stretched out to a mile last out, and faded badly after getting caught up in an early duel. She clearly can’t go that far (she was well-beaten in her other one-mile start as well), but she’s run no worse than a 59 in her last four sprint tries, right in the range she needs to win this race. Seven furlongs might be a bit too long for her, but she should at least turn in an improved performance. #2 Happyinitiative (10-1) cuts back around one turn and drops from the $20,000 level. She ran respectable marks of 57 and 53 in her dirt sprint tries, and is lightly-raced enough (four career starts) to suggest further improvement could be afoot.

RACE 6: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

7-10-2-1

One of the hardest-knocking fields in Maryland this year has assembled here. So far in 2024, two North American horses have won four races, and #7 Up Against It (3-1) is trying to become the third. He’s already beaten similar foes a few times this year, showing multiple dimensions to do so. His only poor race came when he got caught wide going two turns; this type of race looks much more his speed. #10 Savoy (8-1) is a perfect 2-for-2 on the year, coming from last to win both those races with improving figures. He has an impressive 4-for-10 record on wet tracks, and he might get one of those today. #2 Oxide (6-1) closed gamely to defeat the likes of Ace Nine Nine and Paradise Pride in his last start. He loves this track and is also potent on wet surfaces, though he might want a little more distance than what he’s getting today.

RACE 7: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-2-1-3

#5 Mr. McMahon (9-5) went off favored on debut last out, a race where only three of his seven rivals had experience. He had a bad start and raced wide on a rail-favoring trip, but still made up some ground late and finished fourth. The winner, Startswithadream, finished a respectable fourth in the Miracle Wood Stakes next out, while third-place finisher Celtic Contender came back to win next out. The second-place finisher, #2 Petingas Twin (5-2), looked like a sure thing in his next start, but ended up second to Workislife, for his third runner-up finish in as many starts. He has impressive figures, but he’s also burned a lot of money lately. I’m respectful but skeptical. #1 Livehappy (12-1) battled with Petingas Twin on the lead last out and held on for third. He adds blinkers today and should once again show speed on the rail.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

5-6-9-8

If Oxide wins race 6, it’ll boost the stock of #5 Ace Nine Nine (4-1), not that his stock needs much boosting. He pressed the pace and drew off to win last out, for his fourth victory in seven starts. It proved to be a very productive race, as both runner-up Galatians and third-place finisher Brasstown both came back to win their next starts (albeit on class drops). This one should get another nice trip near the leaders. #6 Midnight Cat (12-1) came from just off the pace to overhaul the longtime longshot leader last out at Parx, in his second start off a brief layoff. He’s at his best going one turn, but ran well going longer two starts ago, where he led almost the whole way and was reeled in by next-out winner Deplane. #9 Southern District (5-2) rode the favorable rail to win at this level last out, for his third consecutive victory. While he almost certainly won’t get as easy a trip that day as he did last time, his other figures are still competitive with his rivals.