RACE 1: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-3-2-5

It’s no fun to take even-money morning line favorites on top, but #6 Lunita (1-1) looks like she has this field over a barrel. She’s run a brisnet figure of at least 69 in each of her last three starts, something that the rest of these struggle to do at all. She’s finished second in each of her last three starts, most of which came against better, and looks ready to take this field gate-to-wire. #3 Bali Moon (5-2) fought on and got up to beat similar two starts back at Charles Town, and faded badly after being rushed up after a bad break last out. I don’t think she’s good enough to catch Lunita, but she’s sharp enough to outkick the others. #2 Preparefortakeoff (8-1) ran in the 70s consistently last year, but has raced just once since last October, a completely flat effort going two turns last out. She’s dropping in class and cutting back around one turn, but she’ll have to round back to her best in a hurry to beat these.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

2-16-15-12 (DIRT: 15-2-1-6)

#2 Audibly (5-1) switches to grass for the first time after finishing well back in a very solid maiden field last out. Three of her siblings are winners on grass, including graded stakes winners Hillhouse High. She’s getting a soft landing to make her debut on this surface, and if she takes to this surface, she’ll roar from behind and nail them on the money. #16 Queen of the Dance (9-2) ran a career-best 80 in her first grass start of the year last out, chasing a slow pace and grabbing fifth. She’s taking a slight drop from the $45,000 level. #15 Compass Rises (5-2) comes out of the same race as Queen of the Dance, and though she finished three-quarters of a length behind that rival, she also came from further off that slow pace. She closed strongly and got second in her 2023 bow. Jaime Rodriguez, who rode her in that race, gets back in the saddle.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $8,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

5-2-1-6

#5 Dunvegan Doll (4-5) closed well after a wide trip at Thistledown last out, snapping a streak of four straight races with figures in the 80s. No one else in here can run in the 80s with any consistency. She should work out a great trip stalking the leaders, and even if she doesn’t bounce back off that last race, the rest of these would have to run their best to beat her. #2 Happy Union (6-1) closed for second behind Dunvegan Doll in her most recent, and has closed respectably well in many of her recent starts despite falling behind slow paces. Dunvegan Doll will get the jump on her, but even if she fires her best, Happy Union should hold clear of the others. #1 Thunder Buggy (3-1) battled on the pace and held third last out at Monmouth Park (her dueling partner lost by 26 1/4 lengths). She’ll lead this field for as long as she can.

RACE 4: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 4 1/2 FURLONGS

7-6-9-5

This race begins the rainbow pick 6, with the mandatory payout. The total pool should exceed $1 million. It wouldn’t be right if John Salzman Jr. ended the month of May without a 2-year-old winner. Fortunately for him, he’s got a live one here in #7 Up in Flames (5-2), who has been working better and better as of late. His most recent workout was a including a bullet three-furlong drill at Laurel Park on May 21, outworking some holder horses, such as stakes winner Johnyz From Albany, in the process. #6 Rapido Rosa (3-1) is one of two in here with experience. She set the pace and finished third in a blanket finish behind the well-regarded Biscuitwiththeboss in her first outing. She gets a rider switch to Victor Carrasco and adds blinkers. #9 Liam’s the Great (5-2) also got a race under his belt in early May at Laurel, in which he showed speed while wide and faded. The outside draw doesn’t do him many favors, but the race at least gives him an advantage over most of his rivals.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

1-2-11-3 (DIRT: 10-11-2-6)

Point-to-point experience earlier this year served #1 Big Big Star (10-1) well last out, when he went gate-to-wire to win his first sanctioned start in over two years. He’s one of two in here who hasn’t lost against winners, and the only one of those with a victory this year. #2 Emirates Road (5-2) ships from Kentucky and drops in class for Jimmy Toner, who sent out Apropos, who had similar form, to a game third-place finish Saturday. He has the best late punch in the field and gets Jorge Ruiz, who has been riding up a storm at the meet, in the stirrups. Speaking of hot hands, #11 Blame D Rule Maker (2-1) races for Jorge Duarte, who is a perfect 4-for-4 on the season, and has hit the board with his last five starters between here, Monmouth, and Delaware. This one hasn’t raced since late November, but ran some big races on the surface last year, and Duarte horses have done well coming off the bench as of late.

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

7-2-1-3

#7 Sippin Time (7-2) improved sharply to a 70 second off a four-month layoff last out, holding second after chasing gate-to-wire winner Faith and Liberty. She’s had a solid workout since then, and should improve further third off the layoff. #2 Just the Thing (8-1) checked early on and couldn’t make the front in her last start, but usually shows potent early speed. She led early on going a mile two starts back and held on for second; her early foot should be more effective at a shorter distance. #1 Battle Tested (3-1) was fairly well-bet against slightly better at first asking, and made decent ground late to grab fourth. She might have to weave her way through traffic here, but is eligible to run a big one.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 FURLONGS (GRASS)

9-8-4-1 (DIRT: 2-7-8-9)

#9 Lucci (5-2) led most of the way and held second behind the very classy Mid Day Image in his 2024 debut. In a very similar spot on Memorial Day last year on this track, he fended off pace pressure and lost by a head. He’ll try to finish the job this time. #8 Doctor Jeff (2-1) goes first off the claim by Kieron Magee. He ran a big race first off a 10-month layoff last out, making what might have been a winning move under normal circumstances, only to flatten out and hold fourth. He should take a step forward today. #4 Boss Is a Pal (8-1) has won his last two starts while racing on or near the pace, and should be a speed threat here.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1A-4-7-6