• John Piassek
• May 9, 2024

In which we pick the races from Pimlico each day…

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$0
Jackpot Super High 5 — $0
Late Pick 5– $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-4-1-5

Hi ho! #6 Proper Attire (1-1) takes a big drop in class from the $20,000 starter optional claiming level. She had rough trips in her last two starts at that condition and didn’t do much, but ran brisnet figures in the mid/upper-70s both times. Those marks fit right in with these, so she should relish the class drop. #4 Ellie Victorina (9-2) got up in the last few jumps to beat non-winners of three claiming foes in her last starts, one of two in here (along with Proper Attire) to run in the 70s in each of her last three starts. She hasn’t shown much early speed in her last few starts, but at least has displayed the ability to race near the pace earlier in her career. That would serve her well here. #1 Fainor’s Filets (6-1) went gate-to-wire to break her maiden on this track last September, and should control the pace from the inside.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 FURLONGS

8-5-6-4

Today’s three grass races, including this one, were pulled off yesterday. The surface switch will suit #8 Commanding General (7-2) well, as he’s run well on dirt all winter and spring long. He sat the trip and got up to win last out, and with a lot of speed signed on here, he should work out a similar trip. If anyone goes gate-to-wire, it might be #5 Psychedelic Shack (10-1). He ran well first off a 10-month layoff last out on grass, leading early on through very fast fractions before fading late. He should be a tough customer on the pace second off the bench. #6 Guapo Again (20-1) broke a bit slowly last out and didn’t do much from there, but usually shows good tactical speed, and will likely get a trip near the pace to the inside of Commanding General.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-4-1-6

A victory by Commanding General in race 2 would boost the stock of #5 Aristocratic (6-1). He finished second behind that one last out after setting the pace in his first start off a three-month layoff. He tends to set the pace and fade, but if he’ll ever last on the lead, it’s on Pimlico’s more speed-favoring strip. He turned in a solid bullet workout at Laurel Park on Tuesday, going four furlongs in 49 3/5. #4 Captain Cardo (4-1) goes first off the claim by Kieron Magee. He has the opposite problem as Aristocratic, in that while he’s in career-best form, he might not have enough late speed to get there in this six-furlong dash. Still, he should make a late impact. #1 Aequor (5-2) surged and just missed with a six-wide sweep second off the layoff last out. He also has solid late speed, and might be able to get a jump on Captain Cardo in the run for home.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 FURLONGS

2-4-1-8

With the 8-race card, this race begins the late pick 5. #2 Gabriel’s Wing (8-1) has spent most of his time on the Charles Town dirt, and has worked out stalk-and-pounce trips in his last few starts. He rated wide on the tight-turned Charles Town bullring last out and held in until late. He should be able to work out a more ground-saving trip here with a good draw. #4 Putin Online (2-1) ran solid mid-70s marks against better at Gulfstream Park over the winter, but should be able to make ground against these. #1 Island d’Lite (20-1) has speed from the inside, and if she can shake off Top Boss from a few spots to his outside, he should be able to control things and be tough to catch.

RACE 5: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

7-5-6-4

#7 Hub (9-5) went off favored against a relatively tough field on debut, but stumbled at the start and tossed his jockey. He’s had a good workout since, a four-furlong drill at Laurel May 4 where he outworked a few stakes winners and stakes-placed runners. Arnaldo Bocachica, who also rode him on debut, gets the call on this Anthony Farrior trainee. #5 Haizum (6-1) rejoined the worktab in late February for Michael Matz, and has had steadily solid drills as he prepares for his debut. All four of his siblings to race are winners. His dam, Wind Racer, won on debut, and two of his siblings won at second asking. #6 Grand Opening (8-5) chased the pace and finished a clear-cut third at 34-1 at first asking in New York Stallion Stakes competition at Aqueduct. He gets some clear class relief and adds Lasix for the first time.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 FURLONGS

1-4-2-8

#1 Blue Trillion (10-1) has speed from the rail and should be able to last a while in this contest. She led most of the way two starts back against a solid field before giving way. #4 Hateful (8-1) was well-beaten in her first three starts of the season, but has since rebounded with back-to-back marks in the 70s. Last out, she took advantage of a contested early pace and outran the early duelers, but couldn’t hold off Buckin’ Great, who ran some big figures last year and has a higher ceiling than anyone here. #2 Determined Blue (10-1) didn’t do much after getting checked at the start last out, but ran much better when closer to the lead two and three races ago.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 1 1/16 MILES

4-1-5-3

We’ll know if #4 Mosler Time (5-2) has a chance based on the start. Whenever he’s broken cleanly this year, he’s run big. He’s in sharp form coming in, and will try to duplicate his gate-to-wire last-out win. #1 Running River (8-5), half of the Jamie Ness-trained entry, ran some big races on the lead last December, and ran a respectable 87 first off a three-month break two starts ago. He faded on grass last out, but should improve with a return to dirt. #5 Energy Efficient (2-1) converted the trip to an easy win against non-winners of two types last out, a nice rebound race following a dull effort two starts back.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

5-3-7-4

#5 Goldrush Hottie (5-2) outfinished dueling partner Celtic Bond, who held on for second, running a sharp 73 in her maiden-breaking score. She’ll likely rate near the pace again, while being careful not to get caught in a duel with stablemate #3 Whatsyourbigidea (3-1), who finished second despite a rough trip the last time she was in for a tag in December, and gets some class relief after facing Maryland-bred allowance foes in her last few. #7 Visby (9-2) was scratched out of an off-the-grass spot on Sunday to run here, and tries winners for the first time after a maiden-breaking score at Charles Town first off a 21-month layoff.