• John Piassek
• May 10, 2024

In which we pick the races from Pimlico each day…

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$0
Super High 5 — $1,302
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 FURLONGS

7-5-9-10

Today’s races, including this one, are off the grass following overnight rain and the promise of more today. #7 Wemby (12-1) ran a respectable race in his first local start following a ship from Gulfstream Park. He dueled with the favorite that day and faded in the stretch. That kind of early speed could be potent on the cutback from 5 1/2 furlongs. #5 Raisedaroofcharlie (10-1) broke his maiden at 14th asking at Parx last out, winning going away first off an 11-week layoff. He ran an improved race in a relatively tough field second off a long layoff in his prior outing. #9 Sincerito (8-1) has faced better in his short career (this is his fourth start), and ran a strong brisnet figure of 75 last out despite having little chance to win the way the pace unfolded. In fact, he’s run at least a 75 twice in three starts.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-4-3-7

#6 Duela Dent (5-2) might have left her race in the gate last out, but take that line out, and you’ll see a filly with lots of early speed and steady marks in the low-70s for the Jamie Ness/Jaime Rodriguez combo. #4 Hot Dance (7-5) has been no match for better in her last two races, but ran some big marks earlier in the year. In her last try for a tag, she finished second to Stickwiththecolors, who hit the board in first-level races in her next two starts, while in her last start at this level, she was second to next-out winner Ree Nee’s Six. #3 Enkindle (5-1) ran an improved race first off a nearly year-long layoff last out. At her best, she looks like she has enough late speed to at least grab a share.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $30,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

8-6-2-4

#8 Luigi’s Spirit (6-1) caught a break when this race was moved to dirt from grass, because his best dirt form buries these. He’s run at least an 87 in each of his last six starts, while many of these have struggled to get to that mark at any point in their career. #6 Master of None (9-2) couldn’t catch up to Collection Day, who got the jump on the field on the turn and held sway, but outkicked the others and ran second. He has great late pace figures, and will try to stay as close to the pace as he can. #2 Urban Myth (5-1) showed some glimpses of promising dirt form at Delaware Park last summer, including a victory where he lasted through a long late duel. He’s not coming off as long a layoff as it appears; he got some experience over jumps at point-to-point meets in April.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

5-2-6-4

#5 Formal Affair (8-1) lasted through a wide trip to break his maiden three starts back with a solid 81. He couldn’t keep up with a strong first-level field last out, including the promising Quint’s Brew, and was well-beaten. If he can rebound here, he’s in with a shot, and you’ll get the right price. He’s also shown some early speed in his past, and that could work to his advantage in a race without much speed. #2 Minxzluckystarfyre (8-1) is the only one in here to run in the 80s in each of his last three starts. He got up in the last few jumps to win in his most recent start despite closing off a fairly modest pace. #6 In the Dance (5-2) will hope for a pace to close into, because that’s how he’s done his best work. He inherited the led last out when a loose leader faltered, but couldn’t shake the consistent challenge of Raika and lost by a nose.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

11-7-5-2

#11 Upswell (4-1) goes first off the claim by Anthony Farrior. She ran a big race on the lead last out at Keeneland, where she battled on the early pace and held in well, losing by only 2 1/2 lengths. Her dueling partner, by contrast, lost by 22 1/4. She broke her maiden in gate-to-wire fashion on grass in her prior outing. #7 Major Houlihan (10-1) was bumped around at the start last out, was unable to get into position, and showed little from there. However, she ran well two starts back, her second start off an eight-month break, closing well for second with a strong 84. #5 Feeling So Lucky (20-1) is in improving form, with ascending figures in each of her last three starts, and should work out a nice trip near the leaders.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-3-9-4

#1 Brzina (2-1) wore down breakaway leader Hidewright Away to beat first-level foes last out, snapping a streak of three consecutive runner-up finishes. There’s plenty of cheap speed in here, so when those rivals come back to the field, she’ll get first crack. #3 Haleigh B (7-2) didn’t show much in her first start off a 10-month layoff last out, but ran in the mid/upper-80s consistently last year. If she gets back to that form here second off the bench, she’ll be tough to beat. #9 Mama G’s Wish (5-1) doesn’t always show her best self, but it was displayed last out when she battled in the stretch with longtime leader Sister Supream and got up to win with an 84.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 FURLONGS

8-4-10-9

#8 Destination (2-1) has shown blazing early speed in her last few starts against better, but hasn’t been able to last. If she’s ever going to wire a field, it’s probably in a spot like this. #4 K Kake Pop (5-2) has run her two best figures within her last two starts, but she’s still felt underwhelming after losing her first six starts at 3-1 or less. She’ll also show early speed and is in the same “now-or-never” boat as Destination. #10 Legend of Light (10-1) held in there and lost a show photo in her last try at this level, and should improving dropping back down after a try for $45,000.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 1 1/16 MILES

7-6-2-1

A few of these exit the same race at this condition on April 13, such as my top choice, #7 Midsummers Eve (4-1). She made decent ground late but wasn’t super visually impressive; however, she ran a career-best 84, her second career-best mark in as many races. I’m interested to see how she does around two turns. #6 Golden Charm (2-1) loves to finish second. She’s done so nine times in 14 starts, with her only victory coming in a three-horse field in mid-March. She couldn’t wear down longtime leader Angelofcanterbury in that April 13 race, and I expect her to once again get the trip and round out the exacta. #2 Bossyness (5-1) led every step at Parx last out, and gets Mychel Sanchez to come in for the ride. She’s sure to be put into play early.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

4-2-3-5

#4 Oh Mrs. Maisel (5-2) drops in class after facing better non-winners of two foes as of late, and looks like the main speed of this contest. #2 Two Minute Lick (2-1) ran a flat race first off a three-month break at Parx last out, but might improve with extra seasoning. She made a premature move in her first start against winners two starts back and flattened out, but still ran a career-best 79. #3 Catch the Kitten (6-1) has been in uber-consistent form as of late, running between a 70 and a 73 in her last five, and now tries two turns for the first time. She has solid late sped, and should be able to handle the added ground.

RACE 11: MAIDE