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

10-5-2-1

#10 Missionaire (7-5) drops from first-level company and makes his second start for the up-and-coming Nolan Ramsey barn. he got knocked around at the start last out and didn’t get his usual forward position, and as such showed little. However, he’s shown plenty of early speed in the past, including a gate-to-wire win at Fair Grounds in January, and will be a serious front-end threat with a clean beginning. #5 Wicked Secret (8-1) closed well off slow fractions to grab third at Parx last out in his third start off the bench, and could improve further with a pace to close into. #2 Money in Motion (6-1) sat a great trip to break his maiden in early March at Gulfstream Park, and should also benefit from a class drop.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-3-6

#2 Shining Spirit (2-1) is the only one with experience who hasn’t lost against $30,000 types. She’s run brisnet figures in the 70s twice in her last three starts, including a solid-closing fourth last out at Delaware Park after getting caught wide near the pace. She should work out a much better trip from closer to the rail under new rider Jaime Rodriguez. #1 Big Wanda (6-1), the only firster in the field, originally had Jevian Toledo listed to ride. However, he decided to postpone his comeback by a day. Still, this one has some solid recent workouts for Katy Voss and has found a soft place in which to make her debut. Firsters can win soft maiden races at big prices. #3 Vino From Ernies (5-2) goes fist off a four-month layoff for Emanuel Geralis, in which she flattened out going 1 1/16 miles. She showed some promise last fall and winter in Kentucky, with a pair of marks in the 70s. Her backers will hope the time off did her some good.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-4-2-7

#1 Nielson (8-5) was heavily bet in a soft maiden claiming field second off a long layoff last out, and lived up to the 3-10 hype, lasting on the lead and winning by daylight. He should make the front front he rail and leave them reeling from there. #4 Rye Diggitydog (12-1) also comes in off a maiden win, having converted a great trip tow in at Penn National first off an eight-month break last out. He’s unlikely to get as sweet a setup this time, #2 P Money (8-1) raced wide throughout in a fairly strong New York-bred allowance and faded last out, but ran at least a 78 in his three prior grass starts, figures that would win this race. Jaime Rodriguez gets aboard for his local debut.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

4-8-1-6

#4 Fierce Competition (4-1) was well-bet on debut at this level, but ran into a gate-to-wire odds-on winner with experience, and couldn’t keep pace. Still, he ran respectable 60 at first asking, and should build off that race. #8 Bajan Boy (8-5) improved dramatically to a 70 at second asking last out at Churchill Downs, and now ships to Maryland in a rare move for his trainer, Michael Dickinson. Dickinson also trained this one’s sire, Barbados. #1 Category Cinco (12-1) broke slowly and was rushed up on debut, but managed to hang around until late in an encouraging performance.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

10-7-5-6

#10 Once an Eagle (5-1) did nothing on dirt in her first start of the year last out, and now joins the Mike Trombetta barn. Her dam, Derrianne, was a graded stakes winner on grass and has produced five winners on the surface, including stakes winner Tapitation and stakes-placed One Eyed Ray. This one has a high ceiling on this surface. #7 Independence Way (2-1) ran a more visually impressive race last out going 1 1/8 miles, leading most of the way against much better maidens before fading in the last eighth. She’s run much better figures going this distance. #5 Easter Sunday Girl (9-2) raced wide most of the way last out as she dropped tot his level, but hung around until late and improved to a career-best 71.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-2-3-5

#7 Borracho (6-5) is a perfect 3-for-3 since rejoining the Jamie Ness barn in March, going gate-to-wire to beat similar fields as today each time. He’s lasted through pace pressure in each of those wins, and while he might have to race wide near the pace, if he runs near his usual figure, he’ll be hard to beat regardless. #2 Aequor (7-2) came from well off the pace to get second in a similar field last out, running a late pace figure sin the 90s for the third consecutive race. His lack of early speed might do him in against a peak Borracho effort, but he should at least rally and overtake the rest. #3 Heartfullofstars (5-2) closed for second in his local debut last out, just missing by a head to Icing, who got the early jump on him. David Jacobson is always sharp with his Maryland shippers.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-3-9-1

#4 Lady Zeta (5-2) ran back-to-back marks in the 80s on grass last summer at Delaware Park, and has started to round back into form on dirt following a sprint swoon. She goes second off the claim by Jamie Ness, and was third in a solid starter optional claiming field in her first start since rejoining that outfit. #3 Organized Chaos (3-1) ran a huge race in the Power By Far Stakes at Parx last out, leading most of the way and yielding late to recent open stakes winner Dontlookbackatall. It was a dramatically improved effort from her previous grass start, but she had run very well on dirt in two races back, so it’s not a total outlier. #9 Bitty Boss (5-1) drops in class from second-level company, and has been consistently solid since returning to the races in early April, with figures between 77 and 80 each time.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

3-6-5-4

Jamie Ness has them surrounded, in my estimation. I have his two entrants on top. #3 Haleigh B (7-2) was recently claimed by him out of a fifth-place effort against similar last out. She consistently ran in the mid/upper-80s roughly 13-14 months ago before going on the sidelines, and has begun to round back into form since returning to the races in April, with ascending figures in her last two races. #6 Brzina (8-5) was second to Mattitude last out, getting up over Lady Zeta with a strong four-wide sweep. She tends to leave herself with too much to do at six furlongs, but has enjoyed great success at seven furlongs, with a 3-for-4 record. #5 Bella Bettina (9-2) also has great closing speed, and rallied from 11 lengths out of it to beat second-level foes going six panels last out. She’s also run well at this distance, with two wins in her last four starts at seven panels. Her only seven-furlong defeats in that span came in the Conniver Stakes and the Maryland Million Distaff Starter Handicap.