The Mrs. Claus Stakes is a $75,000 stakes race for three-year-old and upward fillies and mares, contested over 7 furlongs on dirt. This event is part of the Parx Winter Racing Festival and highlights competitive distaff sprinters in the Pennsylvania circuit, with a field of 12 that includes stakes winners and consistent allowance performers. The race could hinge on pace dynamics, with speed horses like Foxy Junior potentially controlling the front end, while closers such as Alani benefit from a hot early tempo. Given the winter timing, off-track conditions may play a role, favoring mud-loving pedigrees.
Venue Location
Parx Racing is located at 3001 Street Road, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020. The track features a one-mile dirt oval with a chute for 7-furlong races, known for its fair surface that often favors tactical speed but can become tiring in wet weather.
Post Time: The race is scheduled for 3:41 p.m. ET for Race 9. This follows the typical Parx card structure, with races spaced approximately 30-40 minutes apart.
Expected Weather Conditions
The forecast for Bensalem, PA, on December 31, 2025, calls for cloudy and cold conditions, with highs around 39°F and lows near 26°F. Winds from the north at 12 mph, with a low chance of precipitation but potential for light snow or flurries earlier in the day.
Track Conditions
Based on the cold, cloudy forecast with possible light snow, the dirt track is expected to be sloppy or muddy, which could slow early speed and advantage horses with strong closing kicks or proven wet-track form (e.g., sires like Justify or Not This Time). If drier than anticipated, it should play fast and fair.
Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer
The field of 12 fillies and mares (3YO+) is detailed below, including post position (PP), recent finishes (last 3-5 races where available, with Equibase Speed Figures [ESF] noted), style, pedigree notes, and connections. Analysis incorporates form, suitability to distance and conditions, and barn trends.
Post 1: Caitlin the Great (M/L Odds: 15/1)
Horse Analysis: By Tonalist out of an unnamed dam; a mid-pack stalker with improving form in allowances. Recent finishes: 1st at Parx Racing (12/8/2025, Allowance, 8f dirt, ESF 76); prior races include strong placings at Penn National (November 2025). Pedigree suggests stamina for 7f; could rally late in mud, but inside post may cause traffic issues. Owner not specified.
Jockey: Not specified (TBA) – Expected to be a local rider familiar with closers.
Trainer: Edward T. Allard – 15% win rate; develops consistent mid-level performers, strong in winter meets.
Post 2: Alani (M/L Odds: 4/1)
Horse Analysis: By Competitive Edge out of an unnamed dam; versatile stalker/closer with stakes experience. Recent finishes: 1st at Colonial Downs ($100,000 stakes, 7/28/2025, 7f dirt); 1st at Laurel Park (allowance, earlier 2025, ESF ~90). Earnings over $200,000; mud pedigree from sire; good draw for tracking trip. Owner not specified.
Jockey: Andy Hernandez – Reliable mid-card rider (12% wins); excels on tactical types.
Trainer: Michael M. Moore – 15% win rate; specializes in fillies, with multiple $200k+ earners.
Post 3: Promising (M/L Odds: 8/1)
Horse Analysis: By Justify out of an unnamed dam; closer with upside in routes. Recent finishes: Career 2 wins, 2 thirds from 7 starts (ESF average ~85); specific recent: placings in allowance races (October-November 2025). Pedigree for class (sire a Triple Crown winner); suits off track; value if overlooked. Owner not specified.
Jockey: Frankie Pennington – Veteran with 20% win rate at Parx; strong on closers.
Trainer: John C. Servis – 20% win rate; experienced with stakes contenders.
Post 4: Eclair Blanc (M/L Odds: 20/1)
Horse Analysis: By Funtastic out of Sweet Sway; stalker with spotty form. Recent finishes: 4/5 at Parx (7/1/2024, maiden, 7.5f dirt); 5/10 at Parx (6/4/2024, maiden); career 2 wins, 3 seconds from 12 starts (ESF ~80, earnings $110,080). Longshot; may improve in mud but class rise tough. Owner: Conway Racing LLC.
Jockey: Angel R. Rodriguez – Aggressive veteran (18% wins); good with underdogs.
Trainer: Louis C. Linder, Jr. – 12% win rate; local focus on value plays.
Post 5: Boutwell Time (M/L Odds: 5/1)
Horse Analysis: By Not This Time out of an unnamed dam; speedy front-runner. Recent finishes: High ESF 123 in Laurel starter optional claiming (12/13/2025, 6f dirt); prior maiden/allowance wins (August 2024, ESF 90+). Suits sprint distances; mud ok; contender if breaks well. Owner not specified.
Jockey: Jeriel Catala – Up-and-coming (12% wins); handles speed horses.
Trainer: Juan Carlos Guerrero – 20% win rate; strong in sprints and allowances.
Post 6: Jeanne Marie (M/L Odds: 6/1)
Horse Analysis: By Speightster out of Bouquet of Gold; stalker with class. Recent finishes: Earnings $106,760 (ESF 93); placings in allowances (October 2025). Pedigree for speed; consistent in-money hitter; fits well in mud. Owner not specified.
Jockey: Mychel J. Sanchez – Leading rider (25% wins); tactical expert.
Trainer: Robert E. Reid, Jr. – 20% win rate; excels with juveniles and fillies.
Post 7: Beach Daze (M/L Odds: 12/1)
Horse Analysis: By Blofeld out of Diva’s Gold; mid-pack stalker. Recent finishes: 7th in Cornucopia Stakes (11/26/2025, black-type, ESF unknown); 1st at Monmouth (6/2023, ESF 92+); career earnings $128,950 (ESF 102). Value play; off-track pedigree solid. Owner: Stonehedge LLC.
Jockey: Adam Bowman – Steady local (10% wins).
Trainer: Farrel Mann – 12% win rate; develops consistent runners.
Post 8: Al Gimaam (M/L Odds: 30/1)
Horse Analysis: By Frosted out of an unnamed dam; closer with recent wins. Recent finishes: 1st at Parx (11/11/2025, allowance optional claiming, ESF 93); 1st at Parx (10/7/2025). Longshot; could surprise late if pace melts. Owner not specified.
Jockey: Silvestre Gonzalez – Reliable (12% wins); good on closers.
Trainer: Cesareo Marquez – 10% win rate; focuses on underdogs.
Post 9: Doctor Abbie (M/L Odds: 12/1)
Horse Analysis: By Sky Kingdom out of an unnamed dam; stalker. Recent finishes: 2nd at Laurel (4/13/2024, allowance optional claiming, ESF ~93). Improving; mud suits; barn in form. Owner: Bush Racing Stable.
Jockey: Angel Cruz – Veteran (18% wins); tactical.
Trainer: Timothy C. Kreiser – 15% win rate; strong local barn.
Post 10: Foxy Junior (M/L Odds: 5/2)
Horse Analysis: By Cuba out of an unnamed dam; front-runner with stakes dominance. Recent finishes: 1st Twixt Stakes (9/6/2025); 1st Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes; unbeaten on dirt in 2024 (6-for-6); defended Maryland Million Distaff (10/2025). Favorite; speed figures 100+; handles mud. Owner not specified.
Jockey: Jomar Torres – Aggressive (15% wins).
Trainer: T. Bernard Houghton – 18% win rate; excels with sprinters.
Post 11: Not Too Late (M/L Odds: 20/1)
Horse Analysis: By McKinzie out of an unnamed dam; developing closer. Recent finishes: Limited details; allowance tries with moderate ESF (~80). Longshot; wide post hurts but upside in stakes debut. Owner not specified.
Jockey: Dexter Haddock – Reliable (10-15% wins).
Trainer: Uriah St. Lewis – 12% win rate; patient developer.
Post 12: Jess’s Moment (M/L Odds: 12/1)
Horse Analysis: By Jess’s Dream out of an unnamed dam; stalker. Recent finishes: 1st at Parx (11/11/2025, allowance optional claiming, ESF 93); 1st at Parx (10/7/2025). Wide draw challenge; mud ok. Owner not specified.
Jockey: Franklin Gonzalez, Jr. – Steady (12% wins).
Trainer: Jose G. Gonzalez-Milian – 10% win rate; value-focused.
