• John Piassek
• May 29, 2022

In which we pick the races from Pimlico each day…

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $2,912.65 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-4-13-8 (DIRT: 15-4-3-2)

It’s Sunday Funday at Old Hilltop! #2 Gogo Chanel (6/1) made mild ground in her debut on dirt, with a respectable brisnet figure of 60. She looks better-suited for grass. #4 Ghostly Night (12/1) made a solid move after a slow start in her first race last out. She’s also racing on grass for the first time and adds lasix. #13 Carolina Sun (12/1) improved drastically with each grass start last year and makes her first start of the season in this spot.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-4-5-1

#6 What Say You (4/1) is the only one in the field who has not lost against winners. He broke his maiden in his second career start last out in sharp gate-to-wire style. #4 Amicalola Falls (4/1) ran well in his first start against winners, racing wide and running on well for second. He’s run in the mid-70s in each of his last two starts. This’ll be his first start off the claim by Carlos Mancilla. #5 Bakeneko (2/1) makes his first start since January 27 and cuts back in distance after trying increasingly longer distances. He’s likely to be on the early pace.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

10-5-3-4 (DIRT: 3-8-9-1)

#10 Resident Liberal (7/2) was in improving form towards the end of the Maryland grass season last year, with a few near-misses against similar. He’s making his first start since a Tapeta try on February 23 at Gulfstream Park. He’ll try to come from behind. #5 Ghostlighter (4/1) gets back to the flats after some steeplechase starts. He won a jumps race last November and has held his own against much better on the lawn. #3 Boondoggle (6/1) faded after showing speed against better two starts back but should be able to hold his own better against these.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-6-7-1

#5 Dolce Vita (9/2) races first off the claim for Dale Capuano. He’s been racing in the mid/upper-60s regularly, which is a few points below the best of the others’ figures. However, he’s raced recently, while many of his primary rivals have not. #6 Sponsored (2/1) ran figures of 75 and 76 in his first two races, both of which came in Kentucky. However, he hasn’t raced since June 12 of last year. He’s going to be tough to beat if he runs back to that form, and Damon Dilodovico has solid stats with horses coming off long layoffs, but his price might be a bit too low to take. #7 Dream Happy (7/5) drops to a career-low level and ran consistently solid figures last year, but hasn’t appeared since last October.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

1-6-3-7 (DIRT: 8-1-4-7)

#1 Prince of Caps (7/2) has lots of early speed and ran well in his first start at his level last year. He set the pace and battled in the stretch before fading. This will be his first start since late December, but this is a race without much proven grass form and he’s the most serious pace presence. #6 Market Mover (4/1) is also coming off a long layoff and drops in class. He raced well against better last year and has been working steadily since mid-April. #3 Point of Grace (6/1) goes second off the break and gets a drop in class after struggling against better on the lawn last year.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-8-3-1

#6 Never Early (2/1) started his season with back-to-back impressive wins at Aqueduct, but struggled last out against allowance company at Monmouth Park. He faced much better that day and was outkicked for the early lead, but he should bounce back as long as he’s forwardly placed. #8 Speak Unity (5/2) closed for second despite a wide trip last out. Jeiron Barbosa has improved a bit after a slow start to the meet. #3 Boss Man J J (6/1) won at this level last out and is the primary speed threat to Never Early.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-2-5-6 (DIRT: 10-4-3-2)

#3 Scotty Brown (7/2) went gate-to-wire in his last grass start, in his first start of the season. He hasn’t run worse than a 76 in his last six grass races. He showed speed in his last grass race, but usually comes from off the pace. #2 Bardolino (5/1) is more likely to be near the early pace. He battled going a mile against better last out and crossed the wire second, ultimately getting disqualified for drifting. A shorter distance should suit him well. #5 Monster Mason (10/1) has great closing speed and should rally for a piece at a price.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-2-6-5

#3 Pray For the U S A (5/1) pressed the pace on debut and tired, but now gets some class relief and should improve second time out. #2 Baffle ‘Em (3/1) hasn’t run worse than a 66 in two dirt starts but hasn’t raced in almost a year. Might need a start first off the layoff, but does catch an easy field to return in. #6 Hot Spice (5/1) adds lasix for her 3-year-old debut and also showed speed in her first start.