• John Piassek
• May 12, 2023

In which we pick the races from Pimlico each day…

Post time: 12:25 p.m

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $2,112 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, 1 1/16 MILES

4-1-8-3

Summer-like weather on tap for a 9-race program. What do you make of the last start of #4 Galatians (9-5)? He dominated a similar field and ran a brisnet figure of 90, far and away the best figure in his lines. If he ran back to that race, he’d easily defeat these. However, if you take out a dull performance three starts ago, he’s been in solid form lately and has made a strong rally with each race. He’ll be tough even if he doesn’t freak again. #1 Erawan (9-2) makes his first start off the claim by Jonathan Maldonado. He’s been done in by wide trips in his last few starts (including a race two back where he got hung three-wide in a three-horse field), but this time breaks from the rail. #8 Can’t Pass It Up (7-2) drops in class for his third start off the layoff. Although he was visually unimpressive in his first two starts of the year, he ran a 78 and an 81 in those spots, figures that fit in with these.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

6-1-4-2

#6 Food Foodie (5-1) exceeded expectations in his debut. Sent off at 11-1 as the lone first-time starter in the race, he raced wide and charged on in the stretch to win impressively. He handled a mile with ease that day, so the extra sixteenth shouldn’t be a hinderance. #1 Spectrier (12-1) also enters off a maiden win, but you’ll get bigger odds on him today. He fought hard to win his most recent start, and was a solid second at this distance three races ago. #4 Wonder Water (5-2) has shown a higher ceiling than most of these, but has an unsightly 1-for-20 career mark and hasn’t raced since January 6. His best probably wins this, but there’s no guarantee he’ll show it.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

2-4-9-8

#2 How Sweet She Is (5-2) came from well off the pace to get second in her first two career starts. She hasn’t raced since New Year’s Day, but has some good recent workouts for Mike Trombetta, including a bullet drill on May 3 where she outworked several winners. Among them were 2020 Maryland Million Turf champ Pretty Good Year and stakes-placed Fast Tracked. #4 Appealingtothe Eye (5-1) improved drastically to get up for third in her second lifetime start. She also has a recent bullet workout in her lines, going five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 at Fair Hill last Saturday. #9 Hidewright Away (5-1) has tired on the lead in her last few starts, but now heads to a track that can be more speed-favoring. She looks fast enough to clear to the lead even from the outside post.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 FURLONGS (GRASS)

11-15-4-2

#11 Gift of Gab (3-1) relished Pimlico in her first start here last year, cruising to a sharp gate-to-wire maiden-breaking score. She hasn’t raced since then, but neither have many of the major players. #15 Blame It on Paris (8-1) chased the pace while wide and held in gamely in her grass debut at Ellis Park last year. She stopped badly after a wide trip at Keeneland last out, but should improve against easier third off the layoff. #4 Meliponini Bee (7-2) has run in the 70s in each of her last four starts, but has not competed since last October.

RACE 5: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

3-1-9-5

There’s a ridiculous amount of speed in here, to the point where it’s difficult to decipher what the pace scenario will be. Will everyone send, or will most take back, fearful of a duel, and cause in a slower pace? If a lot of them gun for the front, it’ll set up well for #3 The Cairo Kid (10-1), who has lots of tactical speed. He sat the trip and won at this level in each of his first two starts of the year, and although he failed to convert in his most recent two outings, he should get the right setup here. If anyone does sneak away, it’ll likely be #1 Top Boss (4-1). He has the best early pace figures in the race and already boasts three victories at this level. He raced wide against better rivals last out and tired, but should at least be able to protect position on the pace. #9 Substantial (3-1) also has the ability to sit off the leaders and was in great form last year, but hasn’t raced since September 10.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

8-2-11-3

#8 Mint Game (7-2) made his first start off the year last out, and closed well to get second behind champion Maryland-bred steeplechaser Who’s Counting. He’s coming back off just a seven-day layoff. #2 Petit Fils (9-2) closed his 2022 season with an impressive win at Delaware Park, for his fourth straight figure in the 80s. He hasn’t raced since then, but to give you an idea of where he might stand, he ran an 82 last April in his first outing off a year-and-a-half-long break. That kind of race contends with these. #11 One Two Kid (8-1) has been well-beaten on dirt in his last few starts, but ran well on grass last year and showed a strong closing kick on the surface.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

2-3-8-6

#2 Aristocrat (6-1) returns to the Anthony Farrior barn after racing for Kieron Magee last out. He won in easy gate-to-wire style last out, and should get another front-running trip here. #3 Clubman (9-5) chased Classier around the track in the Henry S. Clark Stakes last out, and while he could not reel him in, he did manage to get third. He ran at least an 88 for the fourth straight race. He’s closed and won off slow paces against these types before and looks to do the same thing here. #8 Bobby G (5-2) won at this level two starts ago, beating some of his rivals today in the process, and drops back here after a flat race against better last Saturday.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 5 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-12-7-9

#1 Bella Bettina (12-1) is in sharp form on dirt right now, having most recently taken an off-the-grass affair from well off the pace. Although she has an 0-for-16 record on grass, she’s entering this race in better overall form than she was when she raced on this surface last year. In a tough race to decipher, she’s worth a look. #12 Brushing (5-1) didn’t have running room part of the way last out, and when she found it, she closed well for third in her first start of the season. She only raced three times last year, but closed to win a race like this one at Parx in one of them. #7 In Vain (2-1) has a brutal case of seconditis. It took 11 tries for her to break her maiden, and since then she’s hit the board four times, losing by no more than 1 1/4 lengths each time. Her figures are consistently better than those of the rest, so this might be a field she can beat anyway, but you’ll have to take an uncomfortably low price.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

8-4-5-2

#8 Baby Sox (2-1) goes first off the claim by Rudy Rodriguez. She was well-bet at Aqueduct last out, and battled hard to finish second with a career-best 74. #4 Poggibonsi (9-5) chased the pace and faded on debut at Gulfstream Park. She ran a respectable 68 that day and will try to move forward second time out. #5 Auntie Rona (6-1) improved four points second time out to a solid 68. She’ll do her best running late.