RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

3-7-4-6

Today’s the final day of the winter meet. The first scheduled day of grass racing is just 13 days away. Rejoice! Gary Contessa is certainly rejoicing; he has them surrounded in the opener with the two likely favorites. I prefer #3 Prugova (7-5) of that duo, as she ran a much-improved race on the lead first time at a mile at Aqueduct last out. She should make the front here and dispatch of them with ease. #7 Tooshay (9-5) exits the same race as Prugova, and while she didn’t do much that day, she made solid ground while wide and ended up second in her prior race. She’ll try to pick up the pieces behind her frontrunning stablemate today. #4 Virologist (4-1) has run a brisnet figure of at least 67 three times in her last four starts, better than most of these have run in recent times. She improved sharply last out after a dull race two starts ago, making an early move on the turn and just missing second in a close photo.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

8-4-3-5

#8 Kaya’s Halo (5-2) makes her local debut first off the claim by Kieron Magee after previously spending her career in Indiana and Kentucky. Her last race is a total toss; she rated off the pace most of the way, then was forced to check twice entering the stretch and was not persevered with late. She ran a very impressive 78 in her prior race. With a cleaner trip, she might duplicate that effort. #4 Catch the Kitten (7-2) just missed at this level two starts ago (claiming prices have been bumped up since that race), and is the only one in here to run in the 70s in each of her last three starts. #3 Nami (12-1) was completely flat on the Charles Town bullring last out, but ran very well on this track earlier in the winter and fall. She went off favored against better two starts back, but lost the jockey at the start. Will she really go off at a much higher price against worse?

RACE 3: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

3-1-4-2

#3 Master of None (9-5) was no better than sixth against Maryland-bred allowance runners in his last start, but now takes a big drop in class, and has easily the best late pace figures in the field. If he repeats any of his recent races, he’ll mow these down with ease. #1 Maryland Moon (3-1) exits the same race as Master of None, where he was also well-beaten. He had little chance off very moderate fractions that day, and ran a respectable third in his last try at this level behind Jolly by Golly, who was third against better in his next try, and next-out winner Captain Quint. #4 Agarramesipuedes (2-1) was fourth in a very strong field at this level last out (featuring a pair of next-out winners ahead of him), and has improved his figure in each of his last three starts.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

7-4-6-5

#7 Golden Eib Micrphn (9-2) has great tactical speed and the best late pace figures in the race. She just missed in her last two starts at Penn National with very strong upper-70s/low-80s figures, and should get another nice trip on the outside just off the pace. #4 Utterly Enchanting (7-2) has one bad Charles Town line in her recent lines, and that somewhat obscures the fact that her Laurel form has been superb. She kicked away to easily beat conditioned foes in her most recent start. #6 Sultry Sally H (5-2) has run by far her best figures in her last three starts, and should improve after a wide trip in the Conniver Stakes last out.

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

7-8-2-5

#7 Southern District (6-5) saw his three-race win streak snapped last out, but still ran a solid race. He battled on the pace with a rival he ended up outfinishing by 8 1/4 lengths, but couldn’t hold off Fun Lovin Criminal, who got a nice trip near the leaders. He’s dropping from the starter optional claiming level here, and should handle these with ease as long as he repeats his usual race. #8 Virginia Fulla (5-2) likes to come from far off the pace. He came from off of mild fractions to win going away against conditioned rivals two starts ago, and will try to repat that kind of effort in this spot. #2 Brasstown (12-1) couldn’t make the front after bumping the rail in his last start, but usually shows early speed and should make the front from the rail.

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

7-6-4-2

#7 Stellars in Charge (7-2) has shown speed and faded in his last two starts, but ran a much-improved race last out, running a career-best 80 after stepping up to this level from the $20,000 condition. He adds blinkers first off the claim by Anthony Farrior, and should be sent straight to the front under Jeiron Barbosa. #6 Taji Mike (5-1) was well-bet on debut last out, and faded after being rushed up following a bad break. He should improve with a clean beginning and a race under his belt. #4 Summerstateofmind (9-2) has run improved figures in his last two starts, and outfinished Taji Mike two starts ago. Last out, he battled for the lead most of his way and held second, finishing ahead of his dueling partner by seven lengths.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-7-3-2

Two horses look to have them surrounded here, and I’ve got both of them on top. In fact, #5 One Way Farrior (7-5) and #7 Force of Justice (8-5) finished 1-2 at this condition on March 8. Force of Justice sat a bit further off the pace than usual in that race and led briefly, but was unable to hold off One Way Farrior’s potent late punch. I expect a similar outcome here. #3 Irish Bandit (12-1) raced wide on the pace first off a six-month layoff last out, and subsequently faded. He ran as high as an 83 last year, and could get closer to that ceiling second off the bench.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-8-7-2

Brittany Russell will saddle two horses in here, and they’re my top two picks. #4 Mindtap (2-1) matched his career-best mark of 91 last out, continuing his improving form cycle since returning off a year-plus layoff in early December. He faded after pressing the pace against better second-level rivals in that most recent start, but should be able to handle these. #8 Frightland (7-2) lasted on the pace and beat softer rivals going away last out, for his second straight mark in the 90s. He’s rounding back into his best self after his December swoon, and could prove the better value of the Russell duo. #7 Tops the Chart (9-2) got nailed on the wire last out by the fast-closing Hay Chief, depriving him of his second straight gate-to-wire win. He should be a major pace factor once again.