The GQ Approach features full-card selections from Pimlico Race Course, including a daily best bet, longshot play, and multi-race wagers — including the 10 cent Rainbow Pick 6.

[su_heading size=”21″ align=”left”]Multi-race wagers[/su_heading]

 

        • Race 1: $2 Double: 1, 4, 8 w/ 1, 5, 7 ($18)
        • Race 3: $0.50 Pick Three: 1, 10, 13 w/ 1, 2, 8 w/ 2, 6, 8 ($13.50)
        • Race 6: $0.50 Pick Three: 7, 10, 12 w/ 1, 6, 9 w/ 1, 4, 12 ($13.50)
        • Race 8: $0.10 Jackpot Pick 6: 12 w/ 1, 7 w/ 4, 7, 9 w/ 2, 5 w/ 2, 10, 11 w/ 1, 2, 3 ($10.80)
        • Race 10: $1.5M Guaranteed $0.50 Pick 4: 4, 7, 9 w/ 2, 4, 5 w/ 2, 10, 11 w/ 1, 2 ($27)
        • Race 12: $0.50 Pick Three: 2, 10, 11 w/ 1, 2, 3 w/ 5, 8, 10 ($13.50)
        • Race 13: $2 Double: 1, 2, 3 w/ 1, 2, 4 ($18)

 

[su_box title=”SPECIAL PLAYS” style=”glass”]
  • Best Bet: Race 10 / #4 – Senor Grits (8-1)
  • Longshot: Race 9 / #1 – Bocaiuva (8-1)

 

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[su_heading size=”21″ align=”left”]Analysis[/su_heading]

* Pimlico Race Course has seven (7) races (1st, 3rd, 4th, 8th, 9th, 11th & 12th) scheduled to be run on the TURF. Forecast for the Baltimore metropolitan area on Saturday is for Partly Cloudy skies with 50% of scattered thunderstorms after 3pm EDT, high temp in low 80’s. The below selections in those races are based on the belief they will be run ALL RACES ON the TURF.

* Race 1

  1. #4 – La Nina (3-1): Nice runner-up finish in debut; adds Lasix     
  2. #1/1A – Don’s Girl/Shoot Craps (8-1): One will likely scratch; other will show speed                
  3. #8 – Finnegan (6-5): Clearly 2nd best in debut on dirt; turf bred up & down; Blinkers Off  

 

Race 2

  1. #5 – Fish Whistler (8-1): 3rd start for hot barn and picks up McCarthy; fits here    
  2. #7 – No Brakes (10-1): 10 y.o. still has gas in the tank; stretches out to best distance      
  3. #1/1A – Q’s Jack/Hideaway Moon (5-1): Entry via ownership; prefer #1; both have a shot      

 

* Race 3

  1. #10 – Chiropractor (7-2): FTS for Proctor; Kitten’s Joy is sire, out of Theatrical mare  
  2. #13 – Steel Sky (5-1): Gray GP Shipper needs to have “figured it out” during layoff
  3. #1 – Handsome Charlie (8-1): House Horse should improve getting Lasix in 5th start  

 

* Race 4 – $100,000 James W. Murphy Stakes

  1. #2 – Force the Pass (5-2): 2 for 3 all on turf; jumped from maidens to minor stakes & won          
  2. #8 – First Spark (5-1): Never underestimate a Castellano/Pletcher runner 1st time on turf        
  3. #1 – All I Karabout (5-1): Owns the best two Brisnet Speed Figures (BSF) on turf in here 

 

Race 5 – $150,000 G3 Maryland Sprint Handicap

  1. #2 – Coup de Grace (3-1): Owns class edge here; bullets in the A.M. prepping for this one     
  2. #8 – Service for Ten (12-1): Forget turf try off the bench; Could benefit from a “pace meltdown”
  3. #1 – Souper Knight (8-1): Last 6f fast track try was impressive; has to shake-off Prx Clunker      

 

Race 6

  1. #7 – Lulu Island(6-1): Never off-the-board in turf sprints (6: 3-1-2); versatile running style
  2. #10 – Pret Say Eye (5-1): Fresh off maiden score @ Pim earning a healthy BSF; can repeat  
  3. #12 – Justlookatmenow (10-1): Willing to forgive last effort v. better; had excuse before then

 

Race 7 – $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes

  1. #1 – Fame and Power (5-2): Will flatter Divining Rod as he succumbed to him in Lexington
  2. #9 – Conquest Bigluck (12-1): Cannot ignore this Casse trainee; been screaming for 2-turns  
  3. #6 – Donworth (2-1): A lot of hype but failed to deliver “W” in Lexington; still learning  

 

* Race 8

  1. #12 – Other Creek (7-2): Graded stakes placed on turf should be ready 1st off layoff
  2. #1  – I. C. Lightning (15-1): Toss his past couple dirt efforts; he’s strictly turf & E. Prado is an upgrade
  3. #4 – Yes I See (30-1): Needs to really step up his game but 2-turns might be what blows up totebaord

 

* Race 9 – $150,000 G3 Gallorette Handicap

  1. #1 – Bocaiuva (8-1): $Longshot Play$ ”Troubled trip” in last outing @ Kee is a gross understatement        
  2. #7 – Hard Not to Like (3-1): Especially today as her name suggests, no speed to run w/ her early     
  3. #11 – Sista Stroll (8-1): Nice maturing 4 y.o. in Proctor barn getting progressively better  

 

Race 10 – $100,000 Chick Lang Stakes

  1. #4 – Senor Grits (8-1): $Best Bet$ Game sprinter has chased Cinco Charlie (1 of best 3 y.o. sprinters) twice 
  2. #7 – Gimme Da Lute (3-1): No chance v. Competitive Edge in G3 Pat Day Mile; cuts back & stalks speed           
  3. #9 – Holy Boss (6-1): Speed of the speed; might get cooked by Blame Jim (#1) and Victory Is Sweet (#5)  

 

* Race 11  – $100,000 The Very One Stakes

  1. #2 – Ageless (5-2): Won this event last year as Post Time fav.; see no reason why he cannot repeat    
  2. #5 – Shrinking Violet (2-1): Did beat Ageless in only head-2-head match @ Tam Jan. ’14  
  3. #4 – Joya Real (8-1): in allowance type races; nobody in here will scare her

 

* Race 12 – $300,000 G2 Longines Dixie Stakes

  1. #11 – Up With Birds (9-2): Failed as fav. in this event last year; been away since Nov. ‘14  
  2. #10 – Manchurian High (15-1): Should be picking off rivals late; only concern is Stevens effort 1 race prior to Preakness
  3. #2 – Ironicus (15-1): Time for this gray to put his big boy pants on; J.C. landing here is a good sign

Race 13 – $1,500,000 G1 Xpressbet.com Preakness Stakes         

  1. #2 – Dortmund (7-2) — Speedster suffered first defeat in the Derby, benefits from inside post and shorter distance here
  2. #1– American Pharoah (4-5) — Derby champ will have to work out a trip from the rail, with plenty of speed drawn outside, but you ignore him at your peril
  3. #3 – Mr. Z (20-1) — How many times have we seen an improbable Lukas-trained runner hit the board in a big race?

For additional analysis: Our Preakness day wagering guide; GQ’s in-depth analysis

 

Race 14

  1. #2 – Old Upstart (3-1): Johnny V. sticks around to take mount; smart ride gets it done  
  2. #4– Jack O Liam (5-2): Had it all his way last time out; will get pressure today 
  3. #1 – Jigsaw (7-2): Solid efforts at this level; will break through for a win one of these races

YESTERDAY’S NEWS

  • On Friday, May 15th at Pimlico had 9 winners from 14 races (4 Top Picks payoff in BOLD) having $2 WIN pay-off of $5.20 (1st race), $13.60 (2nd), $3.80 (3rd), $4.40 (5th), $6.00 (7th), $3.20 (10th), $32.80 (11th), $12.40 (12th) and $4.60 (13th).
  • The BEST BET of the Day (53: 12-14-9) Windy Forecast (8th race: 10-1 M/L; 8-1 PT) dueled inside of SUPER SAKS while under rating, shook clear nearing the quarter pole, wandered outward a bit in upper stretch, shifted back in leaving the three sixteenths, steadied a furlong out and gave way to finish 6th.
  • The LONGSHOT PLAY OF THE DAY (47: 6-5-12) Brewing (9th race: 12-1 M/L; 12-1 PT) circled the turn four deep, chased the pace to upper stretch then gave way finishing 9th.
 
Long-time racing fan and analyst Gary Quill brings his ‘capping insights to The Racing Biz. Follow him on Twitter