• John Piassek
• June 3, 2023

In which we pick the races from Pimlico each day…

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$496,821 Super High 5 — $475,657 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

2-5-4-3

Both of my top picks in here are making their first starts off the claim. #2 Food Foodie (9-2) broke his maiden on debut two races back, then closed well from far off the pace to get second in his first start against winners. He as taken out of that race by Rudy Sanchez-Solomon and should try to stay closer to the lead this time. #5 New York Panther (9-2) was claimed by Daniel McKenzie off a win on Preakness Thursday, in which he fought hard in the stretch to prevail as the odds-on choice. He’s run brisnet figures in the 70s in each of his four career dirt starts. #4 Federal Offense (8-5) has run solid figures at this level before, but he doesn’t have that big an advantage compared to his rivals and is sure to be overbet.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

5-8-1-6

#5 Carolina Hideaway (7-2) didn’t have much of a chance to outfinish impressive winner Caroline Krystyna last out, but gobbled up ground from the back of the pack and finished second with a very solid 78. This will be her first start around two turns, but if she handles the extra distance, she’ll be hard to hold off. #8 Miss San Gabriel (2-1) raced wide throughout first off a long layoff last out and held well until the last eighth, when her overland journey did her in. Nonetheless, it was a promising race for her first start in so long. #1 Determined Stella (20-1) made good ground in the last eighth in the same race as Carolina Hideaway and could surprise for a slice second time on grass.

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

3-4-5-2

#3 Dr. Rusty Raymond (4-1) take a drop back to the conditioned claiming level. He hasn’t won in a while, but has great late speed and would take advantage of a fast pace. One of the front-runners is #4 Crownedcountcristo (8-5), who has certainly made up for lost time since returning from a seven-month break. This will be his fourth start in less than a month! He went gate-to-wire to win last out through fast fractions, running an 82, his best figure in a while. #2 Flaming East (3-1) goes second off the claim by Kieron Magee and might be fast enough to outkick Crownedcountcristo for the lead. He faded when forced to duel last out, but has won the last two times he’d had a somewhat clear early advantage.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

11-5-6-3

One more day to fade the rainbow pick 6 before the mandatory payout. #11 Tapit Brio (5-2) had narrowly missed against similar in his last few starts at Gulfstream Park. His three best figures have come in his last three starts, peaking at a 78 last out. #5 Tiz Tact Toe (4-1) rallied for fourth last out at Tampa Bay Downs. He showed no early speed at all that day, but had been closer to the pace in his midwest races last year. #6 Bail Out (4-1) ran consistently solid figures all year long last year, running between a 77 and an 81 in his first five starts of the season. However, he was pulled up and walked off last out, and has not been seen since that mid-November performance. He’s making his first start for the Horacio De Paz barn and has been working well since mid-March, suggesting that whatever problems may have ailed him last fall are gone now. While his figures are great, the 1-for-31 mark is not great, though it did predominantly come against better.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

6-2-4-5

#6 Admit Nothing (2-1) improved three points to a 72 second time out last out while making mild late ground. If his figures translate around two turns, he’ll be tough. If New York Panther wins earlier today, the stock of #2 Toast to Coast (4-1) will certainly be boosted. He dueled with that rival in the stretch last out but ended up fading late, holding second with a career-best 73. He’ll get a rider upgrade to Jevian Toledo. #4 Succeed (8-5) hit the board in three straight tries against better maidens earlier this year but was well-beaten in his last two. He’ll try to get back on track with a return to dirt and a class drop.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

11-8-4-7

#11 Miss Delicious (9-2) shipped to the mid-Atlantic from Gulfstream Park earlier this year, and has worked twice at Delaware Park in preparation for this spot. She started her year with a promising runner-up effort, earning a 90 in the process, but struggled against better in her last two starts. She’s had some time off since her last race and is the most consistently solid member of the field, having run at least in the 80s in her last six starts. #8 Double Fireball (15-1) led most of the way in the Maryland Million Ladies last fall, but got caught on the wire. She showed little in her first two starts on dirt this year, but now returns to her preferred surface and has early speed. Her dirt lines obscure her form, but she’s live at a good price. #4 Community Adjusted (5-2) kicked away impressively to beat first-level rivals last June at Belmont Park, then held her own in her next few against second-level horses at Saratoga and Colonial Downs. She hasn’t raced since last October, but she’s had some good recent workouts and Arnaud Delacour is sharp first off the bench.

RACE 7: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

5-6-2-3

Two horses figure to dominate the betting in this one, and I’ve picked them 1-2. #5 Hollywoodland (7-5) pressed the pace while wide at Gulfstream last out and held third, improving five points from her debut with an 80. Imonra, who lost that race by a nose, has since returned to win twice. This one looks dangerous third time out for Shug McGaughey. #6 Wudi (9-5) is one of two Bob Baffert expats on today’s card. She’s making her debut for Michael Matz after spending the start of her career in California. In her debut last fall, she battled for the lead most of the way and held second, but stopped after pace pressure in her next two outings. We’ll see how she handles two turns for the first time. #2 Haint Blue (4-1) hit the board in her first two dirt tries and now adds blinkers for Hammy Smith. She’s the best bet if you want to try and beat the favorites.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

5-9-4-3

#5 Nicolar (3-1) didn’t miss much of a beat in her last start, running an 87 in her first start of the season. She’s run at least an 85 in four of her last five starts, and should get even better with a race under her belt. #9 Linny Kate (5-1) has closed well for minor shares in her last few starts, but will need a pace to run into. She’s been befallen by slow early tempos in her last few starts. #4 Pallotta Sisters (9-2) adds blinkers for her first start off a brief respite for Graham Motion. She closed to lose by a half-length at Tampa Bay last out, losing to a rival, Mohawk Trail, who raced closer to the inside throughout. That rival has since been stakes-placed twice.

RACE 9: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

8-2-4-1

The other Baffert expat looks like he’ll end the card with a layup. #8 Dillinger (3-5) ran in the 90s twice earlier in the year at Santa Anita Park, but faded near the pace for the Tim Yakteen barn last out. Even so, the 75 he ran that day is likely good enough to beat these; anything else is just gravy. This will be his first start for Brittany Russell. #2 Donegal Danny (12-1) set the pace and held second in his local debut last out, his first start off the layoff for Keri Brion. He should show speed once again and looks for improvement. #4 Childers (4-1) also races for Russell for the first time. He showed speed and faded three times as a 2-year-old last year; he’ll now add lasix for his sophomore bow.