Timonium picks AND PONDERINGS: SEPTEMBER 3, 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: $1,522

RACE 1: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 4 FURLONGS

  1. #6 – Stevethevandriver (4-1): Broke awkwardly last Sunday and was no factor; drops in class here and could rate off a hot pace.
  2. #5 – Hindenburg (6-1): Won two in a row at Presque Isle earlier this year in gate-to-wire fashion.
  3. #4 – Loaded Sniper (3-1): Just might be the fastest early among all speed threats.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

  1. #6 – Shackinthebox (3-1): Ran a bit of a sub-par race first off the layoff last out but should improve with a race under his belt.
  2. #4 – Big Rowdy Dan (6-1): He’s improved sharply in his last two races, including a nice win at Delaware last out.
  3. #7– Some is Nine (7-2): Has trouble sustaining her rallies going shorter, but the track might carry her if she’s close enough early.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 4 FURLONGS

  1. #2–  Now I’m Here (2-1): Showed speed on debut and faded; now adds blinkers and will almost assuredly be hard-sent early.
  2. #5 – El Dorado Queen (3-1): Half-sister to ten winners, six of whom won as a 2-year-old.
  3. #6 – Stolen Laughter (5-2): Xavier Perez was named on both Gina Robb trainees and opted for this one; the board will tell the story.                 

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $5,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 4 FURLONGS

  1. #3 – Providing (7-2): Ran well first off an eleven-month break at Delaware last out.
  2. #1 – Mashua (4-1): Ran a solid third against similar on Sunday and should once again race near the pace.  
  3. #5 – Devin On Earth (3-1): She’ll try to take them as far as she can, as fast as she can.                                

RACE 5: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

  1. #2 – Unequivocal (9-5): Put together two good speed figures for the first time in a while recently.
  2. #6 – Wicked Mad (8-5): Could find himself on the lead early in a race devoid of pace.
  3. #1 – Blameitonthefun (5-2): Finds a soft landing spot for his first start since Feb. 26; his best wins this but he has very in-and-out form.

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

  1. #4 – It’s Sizzling Time (5-2): Closed well for third behind good local runners Borracho and Going to the Lead in his most recent; more than held his own at this distance a few starts back.
  2. #1 – Dat’s Mr. Mo (9-2): Got up to win in a mad dash to the wire last out for his second straight victory; now goes beyond a mile for the first time.  
  3. #2 – Maximum Impact (8-1):Won impressively at Churchill two starts back and could be heard from late.       

RACE 7: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 4 FURLONGS

  1. #2 – Flight of Bourbon (4-1): Looks ready to finally put it all together.
  2. #1– Landon Jack (9-5): Knows no other way but to go fast early; four furlongs is an ideal distance for him.  
  3. #4– Bill of Rights (9-2): Has good tactical speed and takes a slight dip in class.   

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

  1. #3 – My Last Mission (7-2): Has a good workout since a dull last effort; a repeat of his two races before that wins this.  
  2. #6 – Shady Munni (5-2): He’s a winner of three in a row and four of his last six while slowly climbing the class ladder; we’ll see how he adjusts to 6 ½ furlongs after racing at a mile or longer for a while.
  3. #2 – Heads Or Tails (5-2): Hasn’t run a bad race in three dirt tries this year.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 4 FURLONGS

  1. #9 – Chublin (8-1): Got bet on debut at Delaware and outfinished her dueling partner for second.  
  2. #7 – Lotsa Lucky (10-1): After a mostly middling worktab, turned in a nice drill at Laurel on Wednesday, going three furlongs from the gate in 36 3/5 seconds.
  3. #5 – Forty Miner (9-2): She’s been working for a while and now finally debuts for Anthony Farrior.

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