• John Piassek
• May 30, 2022

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

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-2-5-3

We’ll wrap up the Pimlico spring meet with 8 races with dry conditions. A wide-open affair kicks things off. #1 Here Wego (2/1) had a very wide trip against better in his first start off the layoff, so you can throw that race out. He ran brisnet figures in the 80s consistently at Parx towards the end of last year and showed good tactical speed. He’s almost certain to improve in this spot. #2 Just Pick One (8/1) chased a loose leader on a very sloppy track last out, but held on for a respectable second. Three of his best figures have come within his last five races. #5 The Great Dansky (5/2) couldn’t handle the change to a mile last out, but should enjoy a reduction to a sprint and a drop in class.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

7-5-8-1

#7 Call Me Vivian (6/1) made decent ground on debut and should improve with the extra distance. She also adds lasix for the first time. #5 India Caribe (6/1) was visually dull in her first grass start at Tampa Bay Downs, but her figure of 66 fits right in with these. This will be her first start for a tag. #8 Wi Fi (7/2) goes third off the layoff for Kent Sweezey and ran a much-improved race on Tapeta at Gulfstream Park last out. She set the early pace and held on well for third.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 4 1/2 FURLONGS

3-1-5-6

#3 Cocktail Dreaming (3/1) battled on the lead in her debut at Laurel Park and held on to finish second, Her dueling partner ended up winning by 4 1/4 lengths, but this one still outfinished the rest of her rivals by 9 1/2 lengths. #1 Valdikava (5/2) has worked well at Fair Hill recently for Mike Stidham and should attract plenty of attention at the windows. Just like Cocktail Dreaming, #5 Laramore (3/1) is a Jerry Robb trainee. He’s put first-call jockey Xavier Perez on this one, while Christian Olmo keeps the mount on Cocktail Dreaming. She’s had two solid five-furlong workouts recently and looks well-meant for this spot.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-8-1-2

There is a LOT of early speed in this race. As in, all eight horses in this one are consistently on or near the pace. It’s really a matter of who you think will be able to outrun them early. If #6 Storm Boarder (7/2) handles grass as well as dirt, he could well be that one. He’s won seven races in a row in West Virginia and hasn’t trailed in more than a year. He was off the board in his last grass race, which came at Gulfstream Park in January 2021, but he did run a solid figure of 84 that day. As such, it can be deducted that he has some grass aptitude. #8 Noble Commander (5/1) raced very well in three tries against better last fall on the Laurel lawn, and now gets back to this surface for Jamie Ness and Jaime Rodriguez. This one has solid tactical speed, so he doesn’t have to get involved in a potentially destructive duel. #1 Oldies But Goodies (5/1) makes his season debut here for Mike Trombetta. He’ll get the trip just off the pace on the inside and should take advantage if the leaders burn each other out.

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

6-2-3-4

#6 Ran Char (2/1) has bounced up and down the class ladder in her last few starts. She was overwhelmed last out by a free-wheeling loose leader but she outfinished the rest for second. Two starts back, she got a great trip stalking the pace and beat a softer bunch. She’s rounding into her best form and should get an ideal trip once again. I don’t know how #2 Sick Pack Sara (7/5) will do wheeling back in four days’ time, but she has lots of early speed and may prove tough to catch if left alone on the front end. #3 Congress Hall (8/1) was in consistently solid form this winter against similar rivals and can pick up the pieces for a share.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

8-11-5-1

#8 Robert’s Luxury (8/1) prepped for a spot like this at Great Meadow a few weeks back. He closed for third in a race run over extremely soft grass, a good prep for this race. He was rounding into form at the end of last year and should be poised for a big effort. #11 Ultimate Irony (4/1) was heavily bet at this level and last out and came from off the pace for an easy win. Anything near his morning line would be a gift. #5 Xy Time (5/1) ran an impressive 91 in a game victory at Laurel last year, but hasn’t raced since then. He ran a big figure of 91 in that spot, and will be tough if he comes anywhere close to that in his 3-year-old debut.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-4-5

#2 Little Ms Scarlet (5/2) showed promise earlier in the year but was flat at this level last out. She ran as high as an 85 a few starts back and will try to recapture that form for Claudio Gonzalez. #1 Shackaboom (9/5) cruised to a gate-to-wire win on an off track last out and will try to control the pace from the rail. #4 Devilish Affair (7/2) has come close in her last two starts at this level at decent prices. She adds blinkers here for Norman Cash.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

2-8-3-5

Time to bring it home for the 2022 spring meet. #2 Like n’ Eagle (4/1) improved to a career-best mark of 69 last out despite a wide trip. Should enjoy the drop in class. #8 Foxtrot Seville (2/1) almost always runs in the low 70s on grass. While she’s had many opportunities against grass maidens and hasn’t come through, this may be the easiest spot she’s seen in a while. She has to be used in multi-race bets but might be a bit too low for a win bet. #3 Blame the Irish (6/1) showed some decent closing punch going 5 1/2 furlongs in her debut and seeks to improve around two turns.