• John Piassek
• May 14, 2023

In which we pick the races from Pimlico each day…

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $5,170 Super High 5 — $2,106 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

11-14-4-12

The three grass races scheduled for today, including this one, were washed off yesterday. #11 Hellman (7-2) crossed the wire first at this level last out with a dramatic come-from-behind rally, but was disqualified after the fact due to a whip violation. He’s facing a field of mostly grass runners here, and should gobble up ground late. The track was more amenable to closers yesterday than it was the first two days of the meet, which bodes well for him. #14 Summer Silence (10-1) broke his maiden on dirt in gate-to-wire fashion last summer at Delaware Park. Contrary to what his past performance say, he has raced twice this year. He was sixth in an amateur flat the Elkridge-Harford Point-to-Point on April 8, then finished second against similar at Middleburg on April 22. #4 Federal Offense (7-2) exits the same race as Hellman, and finished third with a similar late rally. He came from well out of it that day but is usually closer to the pace.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-3-4-1

#6 Sponsored (3-1) made his first start off a two-month layoff last out, and faded after racing wide all the way. His brisnet figure declined a bit to an 82, but he ran no worse than an 87 in his three races prior. He’s dropping from first-level allowance company and will be a threat if he rebounds. #3 Cryo (5-2) pressed the pace last out, in his first start off four-month break. He wore down the early leader, but was outkicked by Classier, who went on to win his next two races. This is a bit easier. #4 Johnnyfrenchfri (4-1) won impressively first off the claim for Brittany Russell in mid-February, but struggled over a wet track last out. The track should’ve dried out plenty by post time for this one.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

2-6-3-4

#2 Cora’s Choice (3-1) dueled for the lead, opened up int he stretch, and got caught late in her last start. She’s turned in promising performances in her first two local starts, and is going first off the claim by Joanne Shankle. #6 Our Liberty Belle (7-2) goes second off the layoff. She showed speed on the synthetic at Woodbine last year, and will try to flaunt it again in her dirt debut. #3 Nami (9-2) has shown decent closing speed in her first two starts, and should be heard from again late.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

1-4-3-7

Either half of the Jamie Ness entry will be very tough to beat. I lean towards #1 Eldest Son (9-5) a bit, as he’s shown a slightly higher ceiling than his stablemate, Time to Cruise. Both of them are coming out of the Federico Tesio Stakes, and Eldest Son lost by two lengths after a sharp wide rally. He ran a career-best figure for the second straight race, with a 91. #4 Adero (4-1) sat the trip and kicked away to win easily at Aqueduct last out. As long as he doesn’t fall too far off the early pace, he has the potential to leave them reeling. #3 Pride of Payton (20-1) broke his maiden in style two races ago, then struggled over a wet track last out. He returns to a drier surface here, and could be interesting as long as he handles two turns.

RACE 5: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

12-7-6-5

#12 Solving Progress (15-1) improved dramatically going a mile last out, getting up for third with a 66. She has some positive dirt form in a field that’s largely uninspiring on this surface. #7 Determined Empire (8-1) ran on well for second at Penn National to wrap up her 2022 season, which was also her first dirt start. She returned with a respectable third on grass last out, a nice screw-tightener for this spot. #6 Creole (6-1) showed speed and held fourth last out in her two-turn debut and now adds lasix for the first time.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

5-6-7-2

#5 Cover the Spread (2-1) ran two decent races in a row at a mile over the winter, including a third-place finish behind stablemate and future stakes winner Cats Inthe Timber. While she’s never gone two turns, her performances at a mile suggest that this distance shouldn’t be an issue. #6 Six the Hard Way (6-1) closed for third off a slow pace in the Weber City Miss Stakes last out (behind Cats Inthe Timber), but did little behind the ultra-impressive Goodgirl Badhabits last out. These foes are a tad easier. #7 Sapphire Star (5-2) dueled and kicked away impressively to break her maiden at Gulfstream Park last out. She’ll look to move forward second time out for Michael Matz.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 FURLONGS

4-1-3-7

#4 Haleigh B (7-2) set the pace last out and looked home free at the top of the stretch. However, she tired and got caught by Tweet Away Robin. She should prove much tougher to catch at five panels. #1 Chromeplated Heart (3-1) prompted the pace and held second at Gulfstream last out and should be in close attendance to the lead once again. #3 Tam Char (9-2) has won three of her last five starts. However, she doesn’t run nearly as well when she doesn’t get the early lead.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

4-6-2-1

#4 Queen of Class (7-2) has run no worse than a 77 in her last three dirt starts, and lasted a long way near the lead while wide in her most recent start on the surface. #6 O Shaughesey (6-1) has improved her figure in her last five starts, peaking at a 79 last out when she made a premature move and held second. She could get overlooked in the betting. #2 Hot Lookin Royal (5-2) has shown good closing speed in her last two starts but hasn’t raced since January 16.