• John Piassek
• September 9, 2023

In which we pick the races from Pimlico each day…

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$3,124 Super High 5 — $1,342 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

3-2-4-7

#3 Not as Lucky as Us (8-5) has already crossed the wire first, but was disqualified due to a positive test. He came back to run a career-best brisnet figure of 74 despite falling far off the early pace. If he’s a little closer to the pace here, he’ll be dangerous. #2 Step Ahead (5-2) has had some time off since getting claimed by Anthony Farrior in mid-July and looks like the main speed threat. Great Call, drawn a few spots to his outside, also has early foot, but is suspect, at best, going this distance. Step Ahead could workout a very cozy front-end trip. #4 Iceteca (6-1) closed well for second at Charles Town last out, but may also find himself at the mercy of the fractions.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-6-4-5

#2 Let Freedom Spring (1-1) flattened out in his last start against better at Saratoga following a wide trip. Take that line out, and his figures are vastly superior to those of the others. #6 Island d’Lite (9-5) was no match for better last out, but has run some big races on the lead and should sit on or near the pace from the outside. #4 Mocephus (12-1) turned in a much-improved performance at Timonium last out, rating off the pace for a change and missing by a nose. He could be ready to turn a corner.

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

2-4-7-3 (DIRT: 2-3-4-1)

#2 Yooou Know (2-1) ran a big race in her grass debut last out. She was a bit out of her element, coming from off the pace, but rallied well in the stretch and lost by less than a length. #4 Sweet Shugs (9-5) lost one of the closest finishes you’ll ever see in her last start, finishing second to Clouds of White after leading almost the whole way. She’ll set the pace once again and dare the rest to catch her. #7 Bitty Boss (5-2) improved sharply to a 78 second off the layoff last out. This one loves to gobble up ground late but often finds herself with too much to do at the end.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

7-4-2-1

#7 Jane Street (7-2) is the lightest-raced horse in the field, having raced just three times. She broke her maiden in her last dirt effort with a sharp closing rally, and narrowly missed second on debut while heavily favored Thunder Boss ran away with it. #4 Cora’s Choice (8-1) ran a career-best 72 last out at Timonium, leading most of the way before getting caught by Miss Antietam. The Timonium track was not as speed-favoring as usual this year, so that performance should not be held against her too much. #2 Aztec Bay (3-1) fought hard and pulled clear late despite a wide trip to break her maiden last out, also running a career-best 72. She’s been a much-improved horse since returning from a freshening and joining the Mario Serey barn earlier this summer.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

8-1-3-7

#8 Sheriff Ronnie (5-2) has found himself in a “if it’s ever gonna be the day…” type of spot. His figures are consistently superior to those of the others, and has been facing better fields in his last few starts. The outside draw isn’t great, but he should be able to press the pace on the outside and pounce. #1 Energy Efficient (2-1) has also been facing better in his last few starts, and in fact was fifth behind Sheriff Ronnie in his most recent start. He’s taken some steps forward this season and will get a similar trip as Sheriff Ronnie, but from towards the rail. #3 Infinite Series (6-1) closed well for third last out but has trouble stringing two good races together.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 5 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-6-4-7 (DIRT: 5-7-2-8)

#2 Money’s Worth (9-5) closed well for third in the Jameela Stakes last out despite a wide trip. Second-place Spun Glass returned to finish second in the Camptown Stakes at Colonial Downs next out. This one would have to take a big step backwards to lose this one. #6 Little Josie Wales (8-1) is your best alternative if you want to try and beat the favorite. She’s getting better with each race and broke her maiden in sharp gate-to-wire style last out. The class hike might be the only thing that brings her down; it’s a bit tougher to wire these types than the field she saw last out. #4 Angel Art (8-1) might’ve won more easily last out if she wasn’t blocked in the stretch. A few of the horses she beat that day return in today’s third race.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 6 FURLONGS

7-5-4-1

#7 Deeds of Love (7-2) sat a perfect trip in the catbird seat and got up to win first off the layoff last out. With plenty of speed in here, another great trip could await this filly, who gets lasix for the first time. #5 Dulce Kiara (5-2) looked like much the best on paper at Colonial last out and ran like it, converting a great trip to an easy win. She’s run in the 80s in each of her last six starts and has the best late pace figures in the field. #4 Run Raegan Run (3-1) broke her maiden impressively on Black-Eyed Susan day…2022. She’s worked well since mid-June for her return, but is bound to be overbet due to the Brittany Russell factor.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1A-2-5-3

Either half of the Jamie Ness entry looks pretty dangerous. I lean towards #1A Kadri (2-1), who fought hard and shook off challengers to win last out, defeating the tough Jersey-bred Smithwick’s Spice. He’s going second off the layoff here and should keep moving forward for the Jamie Ness barn. #2 Dollarization (9-2) has finished second in his last three starts, losing twice to Al Loves Josie, who runs in tomorrow’s Challedon Stakes, and Stage Left, who won the Rumson Stakes next out over some tough local sprinters. These are easier rivals. #5 Pirate Rick (5-2) races for the first time since May 4 and should be a major pace factor. He faced much better over the winter and spring but rattled off a nice winning streak against these types earlier this year.

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

2-5-3-4 (DIRT: 1-4-3-5)

#2 Lunar Dash (5-2) has improved by leaps and bounds with each start this year. He ran a career-best 79 last out, the best last-out figure in the field by eight points. #5 Fire and Knives (3-1) ran a respectable 71 in his debut and is a half-brother to top Maryland-bred grass sprinter Jazzy idea and an uncle to Awesome Jazz, who is stakes-placed on the lawn. #3 Surprise Hello (4-1), whose half-brother Hello Hot Rod is running in the prior race, has plenty of early speed and has faced better in his recent grass starts.