Pimlico picks and ponderings May 8, 2021

by John Piassek | May 8, 2021 | Breaking, Handicapping

Horses round the first turn at Pimlico. Photo: Dottie Miller

In which we pick the races from Pimlico each day…

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $0 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

ANALYSIS

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

5-1-4-2
This is the first 2-year-old race of the Maryland season, and as a result is essentially a guessing game. Claudio Gonzalez has a pair in here, and he named Angel Cruz on the #5 Cabra Chica (2/1), a $15,000 purchase with some solid workouts, so I’ll give her the edge. J.D. Acosta, who’s been doing well with Gonzalez horses as of late, is named on the other one, the #1 Chica Rabiosa (5/2). #4 Mama G’s Wish (3/1) goes first out for Jerry Robb, who is not great with firsters. This filly has some decent workouts, however. Taking the wait-and-see approach.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 FURLONGS

1-2-8-6

This race, along with all the others scheduled for the grass, has been moved to the dirt after rain swept through the Baltimore area last night. #1 Great Go Go (7/2) has speed from the inside, but has backed up badly in each of his last three starts, last time after getting an uncontested lead. He went gate-to-wire four back when facing a soft conditioned claiming group. Drops in class from the Maryland-bred allowance level and will have every chance to get his trip. #2 Alltheway to Cairo (4/1) has run a brisnet figure of 78 four times in a row, right in the range of where he needs to be to win. Stalked the pace and drew off to win at Charles Town last out, now makes his third start off the layoff and should enjoy a good trip. #8 Pascal Chant (9/2) has a similar running style to Alltheway to Cairo. He got hung wide last out and stopped badly last out, will look to save as much ground as he can. It won’t be easy with the outside draw and the quick run to the turn.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

6-8-7-3
#6 Ronomes (4/1) improved her brisnet figure 14 points second time out, making a mild rally for second after rating off the pace against similar. Encouraging to see Alex Crispin keep the mount. #8 Cookies and Cream (9/5) goes first off the claim for Gonzalez and makes her first star since February 25. Has plenty of early speed on a speed-favoring track, and looks fast enough to cross over to the lead from the outside post. #7 Spritz of Sprite (12/1) also has early speed, and ran a much-improved race second time out, holding on better after battling on the pace. Profiles as an interesting longshot prospect.

ANALYSIS

RACE 4: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-4-5
The rainbow pick 6 was hit for more than $23k yesterday. As a result, the jackpot begins anew here. Most tickets probably have #2 Keeper in Spite (1/1) singled, and for good reason. She has blazing speed from towards the inside, and is coming off a big effort where she set the pace and held well for second in her first start off the layoff. #1 Petes Pride (4/1) cleared her n/w3L condition handily two back with a great stalking trip, then faded after a rough break last out. Looks for a rebound here. Can rate right off Keeper in Spite and round out the exacta if that one doesn’t stop. #4 Hetty G (9/2) goes third off the layoff and has high 60s/low 70s figures that fit right in with these. She has shown speed in her back lines, but hasn’t been as fast early as of late.

RACE 5 – MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1/16 MILES

5-8-10-1
#5 Replicant (2/1) has been flat in his first two starts off a long layoff, but he’s earned brisnet figures in the mid-70s both times, which would easily defeat these. Got stuck behind a slow pace last out but still churned on for third. #8 Sebastian (9/2) got a bit roughed up early when stretching out for the first time last out, but recovered to earn a career-best figure of 71. Sheldon Russell keeps the mount. #10 Saint Marco (7/2) makes his first start of the year and has decent tactical speed in a race without much pace.
RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED, 6 FURLONGS

4-5-1-3
#4 Cry No More (5/2) was very impressive last out, crushing the field at five furlongs while earning a huge figure of 96. The extra distance shouldn’t be a problem; he’s already won going six furlongs. #5 Jebologist (4/1) improved sharply second off the layoff last out, battling in the stretch before fading in the last eighth and earning a strong 89. He ships from Penn National, and while invaders from there have not done great this season, he still looks good enough to rally for a piece. #1 Bernie’s on Fire (9/2) also goes third off the layoff after a decent win against weaker last out for Claudio Gonzalez. Looks to rate on the inside just off the pace.

ANALYSIS

RACE 7 – MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 FURLONGS

5-6-1-8
#5 Looks Don’t Lie (10/1) crossed the wire first in a very similar spot last out, holding off a big favorite to do so, but was disqualified for drifting out in the stretch. She doesn’t have any rivals in here as tough as that last-out favorite, and should be able to seal the deal on the front end here. #6 Tapdancing Girl (6/1) made a decent move to get fourth last out, just missing a career-best mark. That was her first race in more than six months. #1 Matunuck (5/2) is a Massachusetts-bred first-timer for Brittany Russell. Interestingly, she was entered as a main-track-only in this race that was originally scheduled for the lawn. They’ll get their wish here. Watching the board, as usual.

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

6-3-5-4
#6 Galerio (7/5) was dominant last year against these types, with eight victories from twelve starts. Since switching to the Dale Bennett barn, he’s finished runner-up twice in three stakes races. Instead of taking a shot in next week’s Pimlico Special, they’ve dropped him back to his preferred level, and looks very tough to beat. #3 Money Ride (4/1) went gate-to-wire at Aqueduct two back, then chased all the way around last out and ended up third. He would be well-advised to use his early speed here. #5 Just Whistle (6/1) has made two starts this year since returning from a long layoff, both of which were at Gulfstream and were very dull. Steadily ran figures in the 90s last year. Should improve third off the layoff with some class relief.

RACE 9 – CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

5-3-2-1
#5 Doobiedoobiedoobie (3/1) seeks a rebound off a dull race at Charles Town last out, where he was pressed on the pace and backed up. Ran figures in the 80s pretty steadily prior to that performance. #3 Blue Sky Painter (5/1) has narrowly missed in his last two and goes out for the dangerous Robb/Perez combo. He’s run career-best figures in each of his last six starts. Katie Davis lost the whip while riding the #2 Unbeknowst to Me (8/5) in the stretch last out, and it may have cost that one the win. Even so, he ran a lifetime-best figure of 87, and looks like the dangerous speed in this group.