RACE 1: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-3-7-5

We’re ready to kick off the nine-day Pimlico stand. #2 Neutral (6-1) improved nicely in his second career dirt start, making up good ground in the last eighth. He was claimed out of that race by Kieron Magee and since then has shown some late life on grass. We’ll see how he does returning to dirt, but it looks like he’ll be an overlay. #3 Saloon (2-1) ran a game race on the lead last out, dispatching a pair of challengers before losing by a nose to a rival who sat a great trip just off the pace. He could prove tough to catch on the lead. #7 Sway’sinmydna (9-5) faltered late in his last start at this level at Saratoga following a wide trip. His recent figures fit with these, but he once again runs the risk of a wide trip.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

1-3-2-9

#1 Victory Bridge (5-1) was one of two Colonial Downs shippers to compete in the 5th race at Saratoga on August 20. While the other, Memorialize, won impressively, this one got caught wide throughout following a slow break and never stood a chance. Now she’ll have the opportunity to save more ground against easier rivals. Arnaud Delacour, who’s 6-for-24 with first-timers on grass since the start of 2022, has a pair of debuters in here, in #2 Tales to Tell (9-2) and #3 Monticello (5-2). I give the slight edge to Tales to Tell, as she’s out of a mare who won on grass, and her lone sibling to date to race also won this surface. However, it may come down to whichever one is the better price.

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

2-3-4-5

This race is essentially a rematch of the 5th race at Laurel Park on August 12. Five of the seven runners here also competed in that contest, including the winner, #3 Paradise Pride (1-1). He went gate-to-wire that day, for his fourth consecutive win. #2 Never Change (5-2) won a photo for second that day, and dug in to get second at Delaware Park last out. While Paradise Pride should win if he runs his race, his brisnet figures aren’t that much better than those of Never Change, but will be a much lower price. Never Change should get a good trip near Paradise Pride’s early pace and will take advantage if he falters. #4 Velvet Ghost (8-1) was fourth in that August 12 contest after a wide trip. He didn’t do much at Timonium last out, but should improve on the return to the big track.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

8-1-3-11

With the 8-race card today, this one begins the late pick 5. If Jamie Ness can’t get his first win of the Pimlico meet with Paradise Pride in the prior race, he’s a good bet to get it in this one. #8 American Unity (7-2) fought hard all the way in his grass debut two races ago, losing by a nose to Battalion (who is also in this race). He showed a new dimension at Parx last out, coming from well off the pace to win going away. The only thing that can trip him up is getting caught in traffic in this large field. #1 Gunslinger (4-1) will assuredly be on the early lead barring some sort of catastrophe. He got caught late in his last two starts and ended up second, but should at least get minimal pace pressure today. #3 Sir Terre (6-1) won a hard-fought stretch battle with Gunslinger two races back and should be charging on late.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

6-7-2-5

#6 Bob Marco (3-1) ran an ambitious race on the lead last out, setting fast fractions and holding on for a while before settling for second behind Shady Munni, a four-time winner this year. He doesn’t have to go that fast early to control the tempo in this one. #7 Cool Quartet (5-2) won impressively at Belmont Park last out (a sentence we won’t be able to say for a while!) and has had four good workouts since that race, in which a claim on him was voided. He’s the only one in the field who has run in the 80s in each of his last five dirt starts. #2 Higher Quality (2-1) was in over his head last out in the Monmouth Cup but ran well against similar in prior races.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 5 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-7-8-9

#6 Tidewater (3-1) made a sharp move from off the pace to break his maiden first off an eight-month layoff last out. If he moves forward off that race at all, he’ll be tough to hold off. #7 Fun Notion (4-1) has just missed in his last two starts against open first-level foes at Colonial and should enjoy a nice stalking trip. #8 Boss Man J J (7-2) hasn’t been able to get to the front in his last few races, but has the best early pace figures in this field. As long as he breaks cleanly, he should be able to get to the rail and the lead. From there, it’s a matter of how far he can take them.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 6 FURLONGS

8-4-2-6

This looks like a three-horse race on paper, and will likely be bet accordingly. #8 Carvellian Quest (3-1) converted a great trip to win going away two starts back, then closed well for second at Monmouth Park last out, with figures in the upper-80s both times. There’s enough speed in here that he should get a pace to close into. Speaking of speed, #4 Goodafternoonoscar (2-1) showed abundant early foot in his last start at Timonium, but got caught late and lost by a head. He’s improved in his last few starts and should enjoy the cutback to one turn. #2 Order Ofthe Kettle (9-5) broke his maiden in style last October at Laurel, beating eventual stakes winner Super Accelerate in the process, but hasn’t raced since then. He’s worked well since early July for Brittany Russell. He might have the most talent in the race, but it’s hard to take a horse like him at low odds first off such a long layoff.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-8-6-5

#7 Lady Banker (3-1) improved sharply second time on grass at Saratoga, running a 78 after leading most of the way. She looks like a well-meant shipper for George Weaver. #8 Lendhercredit (5-2) ran her best figure in months when cut back around one turn last out. She should be on or near the early pace. #6 Bandonarun (7-2) closed well for third with a wide move on debut and now adds blinkers.