• John Piassek
• May 27, 2023

In which we pick the races from Pimlico each day…

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$406,768 Super High 5 — $397,555 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $10,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

3-5-2-6

It’s not quite as glamorous as last Saturday’s card, but there’s still money to be made. #3 Call Me Maestro (2-1) broke slowly in his last start, but recovered nicely to get third on a track that was not conducive to closers. Usually, he’s more forwardly placed. #5 Lookin for Justice (4-1) ran back-to-back brisnet figures of 75 in his prior two races and now cuts back to a sprint. He could find himself on the lead in a race without much speed. Though it wasn’t a visually impressive effort, #2 Crownedcountcristo (7-2) improved sharply second off the layoff last out at Monmouth Park, running a 75. He was a bit inconsistent last year, but his best races then beat these.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-5-2-6

#4 Reveille Song (5-1) sports a perfect record on grass, having broken her maiden from off the pace at Gulfstream Park last December. She raced wide against better on Tapeta last out and wasn’t much of a factor, but looms large in this spot. #5 Gift of Gab (9-2) cruised to a gate-to-wire win on this course last September, but hasn’t raced since. She ran an 80 that day, the second straight race where she improved drastically. She might not be ready to go this time, but is definitely one to watch for next out, at least. #2 Lita (9-2) got up to win on the Gulfstream Tapeta in her last start and has been on a steady worktab since late April for Steve Klesaris as she prepares for her first start since early January. Her and Gift of Gab are the only ones in here without a loss against winners.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

3-1-4-2

#3 Moonset (5-2) drops from the $40,000 level for Mike Trombetta. He’s run in the 60s in all three of his starts, which fit right in with these, and should show good tactical speed. #1 Polsar (2-1) loves to get checks, having hit the board ten times in 19 starts without crossing the wire first. He’s run in the low/mid-70s in his last two starts, so if there’s ever going to be a day, it’s this one. #4 Sergeant Sherman (6-1) has great late speed and cuts back around one turn.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 FURLONGS (GRASS)

9-2-1-3

#9 Raise Your Game (10-1) stalked and pounced to win her first grass start of the year, then lost a three-horse blanket photo for second in her next start against similar. She’d take advantage of a fast pace, and with lots of speed signed on, that appears likely. #2 Golden Can (2-1) chased the pace against much better first off the layoff last out and couldn’t keep up. She’s now dropping from second-level allowance company and has shown the ability to show blazing speed or rate. She’s hit the exacta four times in eight starts on this track, and if you take out her tries against stakes company and upper-level allowance runners, it looks even better. #1 Klayton’s Kandy (6-1) was outfinished by Raise Your Game and crew in her first start of the year last out, but ran in the 80s with some regularity last year. She might have needed the race.

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

6-3-5-2

#6 Dialing Dixie (5-2) lasted through fast fractions and pulled away to beat a tougher field at this level last out. He will have to deal with some speed to his inside in Backatya, but he put away similarly fast rivals in that last outing, so I have little doubt that he can withstand the pressure here. #3 Charge to Victory (2-1) takes a slight drop in class for Carlos Mancilla and would take full advantage if in fact Dialing Dixie can’t last. He overhauled Backatya on the lead in his last start, but couldn’t get by Savoy, who sat a trip closer to the pace. #5 Bahama Channel (6-1) is also taking a drop and has solid closing speed. His last-out figure of 75 was his worst in a while, but he looks prime for a rebound after softer than what he’s seen recently.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

3-2-5-7

#3 Golden Belief (1-1) almost pulled a shocker in her last grass start at Gulfstream. She was pressed on the pace at 79-1 and outfinished her dueling partner, but was caught late by a Chad Brown-trained favorite who sat a great trip off the battle. This one has been inconsistent, but she’s returning to grass and dropping in class from those tough Gulfstream maidens. #2 Krone (15-1) fell far behind early in her grass debut last out, but made ground while very wide. She’ll try to build off that race and close for a slice at a decent number. #5 Gold Digging Broad (10-1) exits the same race as Krone. This one made her grass debut that day, and was an even third after stalking the pace. She’ll add blinkers for this one.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-5-6-2

#1 General Nooz (6-1) has faced much better in his last two starts and was no factor each time, which depresses his form a little bit. However, he broke his maiden in game front-running style back in January, and is finally getting some much-needed class relief. He’s not a need-the-lead type, which could prove a benefit in a race with plenty of early pace. #5 Dart (9-2) won at this level at six furlongs two starts back, then was third while chasing an odds-on favorite going longer last out. He’ll get a more honest pace to close into here. #6 Island d’Lite (4-1) sat a great stalking trip last out and got up to beat a few of these. Arnaldo Bocachica will try to work out a similar setup here.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 1 1/8 MILES

5-8-1-2

#5 It’s Viper (5-2) has taken some big leaps forward in his last two starts. He’s run back-to-back figures of 88 and 90, running the latter figure last out where he closed powerfully off a slow pace. He could well end up as one of the best Maryland-bred 3-year-olds of the season, but first, he has to take care of business here. #8 Hot N Spicy Love (8-1) has been very consistent as of late, running in the 80s seven times in his last eight starts. He soundly beat a starter allowance field in his most recent, and while his best isn’t good enough to beat It’s Viper, he should at least close for a share. #1 What Does It Take (5-1) was well-beaten by Berks, who ran a gigantic race on the lead and won by almost ten, in his most recent start, but still ran an 82, a solid mark for his first start off a long layoff.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-4-8-9

#6 Palacsinta (9-2) was entered for a similar spot on Thursday, but did not draw in off the also-eligible list. While she finished last in every grass start in California, she showed improving form in those races and led most of the way going a mile last out. #4 Queen Jelly Bean (7-2) ships from Parx and adds lasix second time for Scott Lake. She showed speed and tired first out and looks to improve here. #8 Zolatone (3-1) has worked out in many places in her career, but has spent some time in Maryland lately as she prepares for her debut for Brittany Russell. Any Russell runner has to be respected, especially one debuting in a difficult-to-decipher bunch like this one.