Timonium picks and ponderings: August 29, 2026

In which we pick the races from Timonium each day…

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 

Early Pick 5 (races 1-5)
$0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

  1. #3 – Sunset Express (8-5): Finished second in her last two starts against similar at Delaware Park; the race could fall into her lap.
  2. #5 – Mitoleisdynamite (5-2): Has dangerous early speed, but her best work has been at 4 1/2 furlongs and shorter; can she last going further?
  3. #2 – Christy My Love (9-2): Disregard her last line, as she had a terrible trip, and suddenly her form looks much better.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $5,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

  1. #2 – Lomax (5-2): He’s run well against better non-winners of two types on both dirt and grass in his last few starts.
  2. #6 – Vekoma Velocity (2-1): Broke his maiden at ninth asking last out and goes first off the Anthony Farrior claim, which is always a dangerous angle, especially here.
  3. #1 – Sooo Handsome (12-1): Hasn’t soared or swooned throughout the year, and that type of consistency should be good enough for an exotics spot, at least.

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

  1. #6 – Paris by Night (4-5): Despite her outside draw, she looks fast enough to cross and clear to the front and leave them in the dust.
  2. #5 – Thick But Quick (3-1): Looks like the more highly-regarded of the two Farrior trainees, but as always, watch the board.
  3. #2 – Sweet Bourbon Tea (6-1): Finished fourth behind Paris by Night last out; she regresses even a little bit, this one could take advantage.

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

  1. #4 – Naval Hospital (9-5): Ran a big race while battling for the early lead last out; she should have an easier time on the lead here.  
  2. #3 – Forgotten Gift (5-2): Ran well against these types earlier this year at Charles Town, but hasn’t raced since May 1.
  3. #5 – Barbados Bulldog (4-1): Didn’t show much first off a 4 1/2-month layoff last out, but at her best, she can rally for a share against these.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

  1. #3 – Chasing Chad (5-2): Was rushed up to the lead after a poor start and faded on debut; with a clean break this time, he should run much better.
  2. #4 – Uniqueness (9-5): He’s shown promise, but he’ll likely be overbet because of the Jamie Ness factor.
  3. #5 – Speed Focused (12-1): Broke slowly at first asking and never got involved, but he’s had almost four months off since then and should show some improvement.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $8,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

  1. #6 – Fan Club (5-2): Ran big races against better earlier this year and adds blinkers for his first start since April 25.   
  2. #5 – Shipman (8-5): Won back-to-back races at Parx over the summer, winning one in gate-to-wire style and the other from just off the pace.
  3. #1– Aztec (7-2): His ceiling is very high, and this spot might be a confidence-booster after a string of disappointing starts.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

  1. #6 – Road Runner (9-5): Ran a much-improved race at second asking, first time on dirt, last out at Penn National.
  2. #4 – Patuxent (7-2): Surged and just missed first off an 11-month break last out at Delaware; the winner, Gigline, won his next start at Colonial Downs.
  3. #3 – Flatter My Dad (5-2): He’ll try to make the early lead and protect the rail.

RACE 8: SHINE AGAIN STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

  1. #1 – Conquerthosewecan (3-1): Finished second in the Love Sign Stakes at Colonial last out, holding well after a race-long duel with the victorious odds-on favorite, Anakarina.
  2. #7 – Modo (2-1): Speedy Texan filly has won three stakes races in the Lone Star state this year; she’ll have to deal with speed to her inside, but looks fast enough to handle it.
  3. #3 – Dare to Fly (6-1): Closed for third behind Conquerthosewecan last out and now adds blinkers.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $5,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

  1. #2 – Meredithslightning (9-5): Early speed and a drop in class should prove a winning formula.
  2. #5 – Beverly Crusher (7-2): Tends to make big moves that flatten out; that still could be good enough for an exotics spot.
  3. #6 – It Was Only a Kiss (9-2): Didn’t do anything on debut at Churchill Downs, but the change of scenery c



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