Pimlico picks and ponderings June 26, 2021

by John Piassek | Jun 26, 2021 | Breaking, Handicapping

Horses round the first turn at Pimlico. Photo: Dottie Miller

In which we pick the races from Pimlico each day…

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $1,276,727 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

ANALYSIS

RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-5-2-4
#6 Miss Bosconovitch (9/5) improved in her second career start last out, earning a brisnet figure of 76 when finishing second by a length. She may have made a similar move on debut if she didn’t get stuck in traffic. Justin Nixon has a pair of firsters in here. One of those, #5 Sparkle Plenty (2/1) has two recent bullet workouts at Timonium under her belt. Her speed should be sharp on debut. Her stablemate, #2 Royal Appointment (4/1) also has a recent bullet drill, but that June 15 workout was her first one in almost a month. She might need a race to round into her best form.

RACE 2: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-7-2-4

#6 Pictor (3/5) has won five of his last six at Penn National, including gate-to-wire wins against better in each of his last two. He’s earned a figure in the 90s or better three times in that stretch. His rivals rarely, if ever, run a figure that strong. #7 Revolutionary Road (7/2) won at this level last time out, in a race without a rival as good as Pictor. He should press the pace from Pictor’s outside, but can he keep up? #2 Air On Fire (5/1) is racing for the first time this year here. He’s had some good workouts this year, with a few bullet drills on his lines. He was sharp last summer at Laurel, but was flat in his last two starts before going on the shelf.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

5-1-4-3
#5 Dare to Promise (3/1) has had plenty of chances, but also has the best dirt form in the field by far. She’s held her own around two turns, and earned her best figure, a 74, going a one-turn mile at Laurel Park over the winter. #1 Pruning (7/2) goes first time out for Shug McGaughey, who puts his usual Maryland jockey, Forest Boyce, in the saddle. This filly’s better bred for grass, but she’s had good dirt workouts, and Shug has had success with his dirt horses here as well. #4 Turning Point (4/1) goes second off a brief layoff for Graham Motion and adds blinkers.

ANALYSIS

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-7-4-1
Both Kieron Magee horses loom large here. #5 Cry No More (2/1) was the favorite at this level last out, and loomed large in the stretch before flattening to third. He earned a huge figure of 96 against Maryland-breds two races back. Last out, he got stuck on a very fast pace. If he can slow it down here, he’s got a big chance. Stablemate #7 Palatial Times (3/1) ran a career-best 84 two races back when fifth in the Chick Lang Stakes two races ago, then surged and just missed against similar last out. Drops back against 3-year-olds here and has great closing speed. #4 Indian Lake (8/5) was last seen in the Jersey Derby at Monmouth Park, where he opened up a clear lead before fading late. Cuts back in distance and has good tactical speed for Jamie Ness and Jaime Rodriguez.
RACE 5 – MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

8-4-6-3
#8 Golden Lassie (7/2) got action at this level last out, but got into trouble at the start and missed second by a length. She finished a solid fourth in her first start for the Claudio Gonzalez trainee two races back, but once again had gate trouble. She has some of the best figures in the race, and if she breaks cleanly, she’ll be exceptionally tough. #4 Kalenjin (5/2) is an $85,000 purchase making her career debut for the Brittany Russell barn. It’s a bit disconcerting to see her in for $25,000 on debut, but Russell is dangerous with firsters. Going to watch the board on her. #6 Our Nikki L (5/1) outfinished Golden Lassie last out, making a strong bid to get second after a wide trip. David Cora comes in for the mount.
RACE 6: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES

9-1-3-7
#9 Tuff But Fair (2/1) goes second off the layoff for Claudio Gonzalez, and makes just her sixth career start. She was a fast-closing second in her last dirt race, with a career-best figure of 77. #1 Fearless Lassie (12/1) makes her first start for the Anthony Aguirre barn. She got hung wide last out and dropped back, but ran two figures in the low 70s prior to that. Takes a drop in class from the starter optional claiming level here. The only question is the distance. #3 Malaceinthepalace (4/1) was steadily improving on dirt over the winter before briefly heading to the sidelines. Gets back to the dirt here and should keep firing.

ANALYSIS

RACE 7 – MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/8 MILES

8-1-2-3
#8 Uncommon Valor (2/1) keeps dropping down the class ladder, and now finds herself in for the lowest tag possible. She earned a lifetime top figure of 78 while closing to lose by just a length. Alex Crispin, who rode her to a third-place finish against better two back, gets back in the saddle. #1 Flash Lightening (3/1) showed speed for the first time last out, and led most of the way before backing up in the stretch. There’s not many in here who can press him early. #2 El Equalizer (12/1) adds blinkers and looks for a rebound after a wide trip cost him last out.
RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES
6-2-1-5
#6 Sea Ghost (7/2) has been third in back-to-back tries at this level, with figures in the mid-80s both times. Faces an easier field than he’s seen in either of his prior two. #2 Galatians (2/1) got caught up a duel last out and faded. He’ll look to set his own terms on the front end here. #1 Corrado (4/1) broke his maiden impressively last out for the McGaughey/Boyce team, and will look to build on his 78 last-out figure.
RACE 9 – CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-1-6-5

#4 Aperitvio (5/1) hasn’t crossed the wire first yet in his career, but he was put up to first two races ago for his first career victory. He handled the stretchout well last out, finishing third with a figure of 69 in his first try around two turns. #1 Tiny Tin (4/1) makes his third start off the layoff and has good closing speed. He’s also lightly raced, making his sixth career start in this spot. #6 Supporting Actor (3/1) has also never crossed the wire first, getting put up for the win in his debut two races back. He improved fifteen points, to a 63, when finishing second last out.