• John Piassek
• May 29, 2023

In which we pick the races from Pimlico each day…

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $454,071 Super High 5 — $444,608 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

4-5-3-2

We’ll kick off the Memorial Day card with six fillies and mares going sprinting. #4 I Have Courage (9-2) turned in a huge effort last out to break her maiden on the pace, running by far a career-best brisnet figure of 83. Runner-up Watch Me Disappear finished second again on Friday. #5 Lovely Liza (4-1) goes first off the claim by Bob Klesaris and has been slowly improving with lots of upside. #3 Ladro Di Fichi (9-5) has competitive figures but hates to win, with twelve second or third-place finishes in her lines. That said, she should benefit from a cutback from 1 1/8 miles.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

2-6-7-5

#2 Tuchan (3-1) looked like much the best on paper last out and ran like it, destroying a maiden claiming field with an impressive 83 in his grass debut. He shouldn’t have much trouble with these, either. #6 Husband Material (4-1) ran big off a slow pace in his last grass start at Gulfstream Park and looks well-spotted by Jimmy Toner. #7 Cosmicality (7-2), Knicks Go’s half-brother, has abundant early speed, but has not raced this year.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

1-6-2-3

After spending the winter and spring running well for Anthony Farrior, #1 Mo Co Gold (8-5) makes her first start off the claim by Kieron Magee. Outside of a dull second following a troubled trip at Charles Town, she’s run at least a 76 in every start this year. She should get a great trip on the rail. #6 Devil Pays in Gold (6-5) plunges in class after having the misfortune to run into Goodgirl Badhabits last out. This one has shown solid late speed, but that might not play as well on this track compared to Laurel Park. #2 Cocktail Dreaming (3-1) goes first off the claim by Farrior and will also get a great trip near the pace. She’s run at least a 75 in each of her last three races, but could not get by Mo Co Gold in her most recent.

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

1-5-4-3

#1 Bourbon Currency (7-2) didn’t have much hope of catching the runaway winner, Zyramid, in his most recent, but outkicked the others and got second in his first start off a four-month break. #5 Amadeus Music (8-1) came from well off the pace to win on dirt last out and has grass figures in his distant past that compare with these. #4 Valiant Vinny (3-1) got up to win against open claimers at Colonial Downs last August and looks well-prepared for his 2023 debut.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $8,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-7-3-1

#4 Honor the Fleet (5-2) was a very impressive winner against softer two starts back, with a giant figure of 92. He could find himself on the lead in a race without much early foot. #7 Northern Thunder (4-1), by contrast, has the best late pace figures in the field and will hope for something to close into. He fell too far off the pace to seriously contend last out but is usually positioned in mid-pack. #3 Badger Tooth (6-1) also has a strong late kick and has improved his figure in his last four starts, peaking at an 83 when second last out.

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

2-7-4-3

#2 Sig (7-2) led most of the way on debut at Keeneland last out despite being rank early on. He’s facing easier here and could be tough to catch with some improvement. #7 Royal Velvet (9-5) made mild headway in two tries against maidens in New York last year and makes his 3-year-old debut for Christophe Clement. He’ll likely get overbet because of the Clement factor but still merits respect. #4 Occasional Moon (9-2) ran a huge figure of 90 in his first start off the claim by Jonathan Maldonado; we’ll see if that form transfers to grass.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-6-2-1A

#5 Youngest of Five (2-1) showed speed and held fourth going a mile first off a long layoff last out. He has lots of back-class and should improve with a race under his belt. #6 Air Token (5-2) has run at least an 89 four times in his last five starts, including a game win from off the pace going 5 1/2 furlongs last out. #2 Naked and Famous (6-1) showed blazing speed en route to winning three in a row at Aqueduct over the winter, but couldn’t get to the front and was flat last out. He’ll try to rebound against these.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-5-6-1

#4 Spa City (7-2) was claimed for $80,000 at Keeneland last out by Mike Trombetta, not something you see every day. He just missed after stalking the pace while wide that day, and looks well-meant in this spot. #5 Everett’s Song (6-1) has been game in two starts since returning from a year and a half layoff. He could find himself with a fairly comfortable early lead. #6 Ain’t Da Beer Cold (5-1) has in-and-out form but ran some game races against stakes company in some recent starts.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 FURLONGS (GRASS)

8-5-7-2

#8 Kenner (5-2) set the pace and held gamely around two turns in his grass debut last summer at Parx. He’s going second off a long layoff for Jamie Ness and has the potential for lots of improvement. #5 Star Shopping (3-1) closed for third when he found room last out, and has been honing his early speed in his last few starts. #7 Thank Ya Pete (20-1) came close to his lifetime top with a 61 first off a long layoff last out and will try to set the early pace.