Timonium picks AND PONDERINGS: SEPTEMBER 2, 2023

John Piassek is here to provide Timonium picks and analysis for every day of live racing at the Maryland State Fair.

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Late Pick 5: $0

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 4 FURLONGS

  1. #3 – Dowsing Rod (2-1): Faded in the stretch last out but dropping back down in class should help.  
  2. #2 – Free Admission (3-1): Has abundant early speed and looks well-meant for a spot like this.
  3. #6 – Sustenance (5-1): Adds blinkers for his first start off the claim by Rudy Sanchez-Solomon and should be hard-sent early.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

  1. #6 – Clubman (9-5): Hard-knocking 9-year-old has won 16 times and earned $652,452 in his 72-race career; should have little trouble with these.
  2. #1 – Greg’s Honor (4-1): Another well-meant Presque Isle shipper for Gerald Brooks; this one finished in the top three seven times in his last eight starts.  
  3. #3 – Ace Nine Nine (3-1): Should show good tactical speed.   

RACE 3: CLAIMING $25,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

  1. #6 – Alliallioxenfree (9-5): Happily cruised to victory second off the layoff next out; runner-up Genieinabridle beat better here last Friday.
  2. #5 – O Shaughesey (6-1): Kevin Patterson trainees are always dangerous here.
  3. #4 – Always Laughing (4-1): Well-beaten in last two starts on grass but has shown upside in prior races.                  

RACE 4: CLAIMING $5,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

  1. #3 – Distant Fire (2-1): Faded on the lead last out but four furlongs looks tailor-made for her.     
  2. #5 – Glorious Mahomes (5-2): He’s faded after getting into duels in his last few starts but could get a more advantageous pace here.  
  3. #2 – Grand Manner (4-1): Raced wide throughout last Saturday but got up for third, beaten just 1 ½ lengths for second.                             

RACE 5: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 4 FURLONGS

  1. #3 – Away to Return (2-1): Outfinished her dueling partner last out and finished second by a half-length behind an off-the-pace rival; lost a four-horse blanket finish two starts back.
  2. #2 – Reign On and On (7-2): Charles Town shipper for Patterson was a strong second behind Tiz the Reason, a six-time winner this year, last out.  
  3. #4 – Comida Comida (15-1): Lasted through pace pressure and won last out; will try to do the same thing here.   

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 4 FURLONGS

  1. #5 – One Way Farrior (4-1): Anthony Farrior-trained first-time starter has some sharp recent workouts at Charles Town.   
  2. #2 – Malibu Slew (9-5): Improved second time out and returns to the races after two months off.  
  3. #3 – Mon Gateau (9-2): Dam has produced four winners from as many foals of racing age.         

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 4 FURLONGS

  1. #4 – Johnyz From Albany (5-2): Last year’s Maryland Million Nursery winner beat first-level foes on the lead last out. 
  2. #7 – Ship the Goods (4-1): Led most of the way on grass last out but faded in the last eighth; goes first off the claim by Farrior.
  3. #5 – Pit Stop Man (3-1): Stalked and pounced to win here last Saturday in a nice rebound effort.  

RACE 8: TIMONIUM JUVENILE, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

  1. #6 – Jubawithatwist (6-1): Broke his maiden impressively at Charles Town then closed well for second in the Hickory Tree Stakes at Colonial Downs.
  2. #2 – Frosty Giant (2-1): Looked promising in victory two starts back.
  3. #4 – Determined Driver (4-1): Showed good tactical speed in maiden-breaking score.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $5,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 4 FURLONGS

  1. #4 – Naughty Nan (5-2): Has run competitive races for this level in each of her last three races.
  2. #6 – Reveille Song (5-2): She’s improved by leaps and bounds in her last few races.
  3. #1 – Performanceanxiety (2-1): Won in sharp style three starts back and looks for rebound off dull effort.

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