ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 7, LAKI

FIRST RACE

THESWEETESTTABOO has been a changed filly in two starts for trainer Claudio Gonzalez, winning both races in commanding fashion; likely to threepeat on the rise in this starter allowance that suits her. Late running UNTAKEN was unable to catch the top choice in this last meeting, though she still ran well to be second. Second is a common finishing position for her - she’s been the runner-up eight times. SETUBAL is another with a history of minor awards, having just missed in her last two races when matched against similar; not as fast as the top two on Beyers.

SECOND RACE

SCOUT’S HONOR is an angle play - a second-after-claim runner that is dropped in class after a respectable fifth against starter runners; expecting a forward move with the return to a claimer. MARTYWITHTHEPARTY is the one to beat, a horse that won two in a row before going unplaced last out in a starter after breaking a bit slowly. THE GREAT PROVIDER goes from one winning barn into another off the claim after winning for a nickel Oct. 14. He rejoins Gaudet, who had this one previously over the first after of the year before losing him for $15,000.

THIRD RACE

MUSABAQA was plucked out of a $16,000 claiming race at Churchill, a start she won by five lengths in her first race with blinkers; up in class into a starter but perhaps up to the challenge after winning three of five starts. OVER EXPOSED is speedy and comes off an allowance victory at Penn National. Kreiser barn wins at a steady clip where ever in competition. COCKTAIL WAITRESS is a consistent sort that has speed and comes off seven consecutive in-the-money finishes. Figs are a bit light, though.

FOURTH RACE

SCRAP COPPER has been first or second in three of four starts, with the exception coming when he stumbled at the break in a race; potential fitness edge over chief rival OUR BRAINTRUST, who has been out of action since winning the Tremont in June. The latter was a precocious sort, prevailing in each of his two starts in early spring, and beat some quality foes in the process; over six months away from racing, however. SKY MAGICIAN doesn’t seem to possess the same talent as the top pair, and likely needs one or both of them to go off form to have a chance at victory; more likely to rally for a minor award.

FIFTH RACE

BELIAL seems to be a developing type, a filly who broke her maiden for $40,000 in September who has since become stakes placed and an allowance winner; just won over this seven-furlong trip Nov. 17. QUESTIONOFTHEDAY has gone unplaced in three prior stakes races - though not of those were restricted to Maryland breds; better suited to this spot and possesses the speed to be prominent. NO MO LADY has won two of three starts and is by a top sire in Uncle Mo. Less enthusiastically, her top Beyer is a 59 - though few in here are particularly quick from a figure standpoint.

SIXTH RACE

SVENTASTIC is a value play at his 6-1 price. He is one of many contenders in this closely matched group, but if he sticks to his price, that would make him an overlay; back on form in his last two claiming starts and with enough tactical positioning to get a decent trip. CORREJON plunges from the allowance ranks after failing to keep pace in three starts in September-October. He also notably rejoins trainer Jose Corrales, who trained him to a few runner-up finishes earlier in the year. MO FOCUSED set a pressured pace and yielded Nov. 22 when returning from a layoff, though perhaps he needed that start after being away since March; 4 for 16 lifetime and possesses early quickness.