• John Piassek
• September 24, 2023

In which we pick the races from Pimlico each day…

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $7,069 Super High 5 — $6,189 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

5-6-7-1

There’s plenty more rain today, but the wind shouldn’t be as bad compared to yesterday. If #5 Saloon (8-5) runs back to his debut, or even within a few points, the rest are in trouble. He looked like much the best on paper in a n/w2L race last out and ran like it, winning by 15 lengths with a brisnet figure of 86 after setting the early pace. He should dispatch the speed from his inside and draw off once again. #6 Big Rowdy Dan (7-2) raced wide every step last out at Timonium, but had enough left late to rally and lose a photo to Zen Master (who also raced wide late). This one looks like the best of the closers. #1 My Mamba (12-1) found his best self again with a win last out at Colonial Downs, drawing off to victory following a string of dull races.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

5-9-2-4

All five scheduled grass races were moved to dirt yesterday, in a move that surprised no one. This is the first of those. #5 Vax a Nation (9-2) finally broke his maiden at ninth asking a few starts back with a dramatic late surge. Although he’s had many chances to win on this surface, his figures are much better than most of these, so it’s a now-or-never type of spot. #9 Master of None (12-1) broke his maiden on dirt last October, when he rated close to the pace and pounced. Though his recent dirt numbers are competitive with these, he hasn’t shown as much early speed lately as he probably should be showing. #2 Wicked Secret (10-1) has run in the 70s in each of his five dirt starts, and gets some class relief after a disappointing try against first-level foes last out.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

9-5-4-3

#9 Cloudy Night (4-1) was one of two in the field with experience in her most recent start at Timonium, and battled with odds-on choice Chublin (who also had experience) before settling for second. She has easily the best early pace figures in this race, and should be able to withstand any early challenge. #5 Amirati (3-1) has already raced six times, but not in the past two months. She closed well from off the pace and finished a strong second at Monmouth Park, running at least a 70 for the second time. The addition of blinkers could help her complete her closing rally. #3 Any Fools Gold (12-1) showed speed and faded on debut, but improved second time out on grass, and will try to make things interesting up front here.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1A-3-10-6

#1A Bode’s Maker (4-1) set the pace and dug in to win in an off-the-grass starter handicap at Monmouth a few starts back. He ran an impressive 94 that day, and could slide through the cracks in the race with some flashy main-track-onlys. One of them is #3 It’s Viper (5-2). While he will not win the title of most impressive Brittany Russell-trained Maryland-bred 3-year-old this weekend, he won back-to-back races here at the spring meet with dramatic late rallies. He was out of his element in his next two starts, but now returns to two turns with what should be an honest pace scenario. #10 Flat Out Flying (9-2) was thrown a bit out of his element last out thanks to a bad start, but recovered to narrowly miss second. Though he hasn’t won this year, he’s hit the board in his last 12 starts.

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

9-5-4-2

#9 Brasstown (4-1) was utterly dismal last out at Parx, but take that race out, and his figures are much the best in this field. He’s had two good workouts since his last start, suggesting that whatever ailed him that day has been cured. #5 Hard Sting (4-1) rallied gamely to win at Parx last out, and was claimed out of that race by Jamie Ness. He hasn’t raced since that April day, and he has no early speed to speak of, but he should at least rally for a share if he’s back in shape. #4 Ekati’s Verve (6-1) has similar late speed to Hard Sting, and has closed well in his last two starts despite wide trips. He’ll also be a much bigger price than Hard Sting.

RACE 6: STARTER OTPIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-5-1-8

#4 American Unity (4-1) returns to dirt following two straight grass wins. He ran a strong 87 when a close second in his most recent dirt start, and should work out a nice trip near the pace. #5 One Ten (20-1) has strong late speed and gets the nod for second in a race without much other dirt form. #1 Graded On a Curve (6-1) ran in the 80s consistently on the Presque Isle Downs synthetic earlier this year and looks to stalk and pounce.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-6-8-5

In a race with plenty of early speed, #1 Royal Spy (3-1) looks prime to get a great trip. He’s been outkicked by better in his last few starts, but he’s now dropping into a race where he has some of the best late pace figures and a lot of the speed horses might not last. If anyone will take them gate-to-wire, it may be #6 Mocephus (9-2). He turned in a much-needed rebound effort last out, beating a conditioned claiming field in gate-to-wire style. Mario Serey has had a strong Pimlico meet, hitting the board with ten of 12 starters. #8 Cryo (5-2) drops in class from first-level allowance company. He was flat at Timonium last out, but consistently ran in the 80s and low-90s prior to that.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 FURLONGS

4-12-3-6

Both of my top two picks exit the same race at Timonium on September 2. #4 Ship the Goods (10-1) won that day, dueling with Ladneedsahandler every step of the way and ultimately defeating that rival by a nose. He should improve further second off the brief layoff. #12 Johnyz From Albany (12-1) rated off the leaders that day, but was unable to make an impact and finished third. He showed some promise in a Maryland-bred allowance victory two races ago, and of course won the Maryland Million Nursery last fall. If his best self shines through, he’ll be tough. #3 Whenigettoheaven (4-1) was in improving form on dirt last winter and has blazing early speed.