PIMLICO PICKS AND PONDERINGS: may 26, 2024
In which we pick the races from Pimlico each day…
Post time: 12:25 p.m.
Carryovers:
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $363,541
Super High 5 — $6,508
Late Pick 5 — $0
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS
1-2-4-6
#1 Coronation Time (5-2) stopped badly going two turns in his last start, but ran steadily improving figures in his one-turn starts over the winter. He finished third behind Kick Startness and Under the Overpass, both of whom are better than anyone in here, with a career-best brisnet figure of 78 in his most recent one-turn try. #2 A B C Ya (3-1) just missed at Charles Town two starts ago, then ran a pace-chasing second behind much-the-best winner Divine Child in his last outing. He has good tactical speed, and will likely rate off probable pacesetter Uncle Chinito from the rail and get first crack when he (more likely than not) fades. #4 Count Daddy (6-1) showed brief speed and faded first off an eight-month layoff at Delaware Park last out, but it was still a much-improved race compared to his debut in September, where he did less than nothing in what proved to be a very productive maiden affair.
RACE 2: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)
13-10-7-5 (DIRT: 9-12-6-13)
#13 High Stakes (2-1) led most of the way in his last grass try at Gulfstream Park despite consistent pace pressure, and lost by a neck to Jerry’s Turn and Mister Abarrio, the latter of whom won at Gulfstream Thursday. This one is one of the few in here who can consistently run in the 70s on grass, and should get a nice trip on or near the pace. #10 Reel Well (9-2) got some jump starts under his belt at a variety of point-to-point meets in preparation for this race. He tailed off a bit towards the end of last season, but ran in the 80s three times last year, including a mark of 80 in his season debut in early May. #7 Inspired Irish (12-1) showed some promise in a pair of grass starts last year, and looks like the main speed of this contest. Yesterday, we saw a grass debuter out of a grass winner go gate-to-wire on the lawn; can lightning strike twice?
- Style Points, Deep Satin dead heat for Virginia Oaks winStyle Points and Deep Satin hooked up in an absolute thriller in Saturday’s Virginia Oaks that resulted in a dead heat.
RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS
1-6-5-4
#1 Shining Spirit (5-2) ran a career-best 75 last out, chasing well-bet firster Striker Has Dial and finishing second against similar. She’ll try to control the pace from the inside. #6 Extremely Gruntled (7-5) cuts back from 1 1/16 miles and makes her local debut for Ricardo Ramirez after previously racing for the Kenny McPeek barn. She ran her best race of the year last out, setting the early pace and holding on for third despite fading late. #5 Candy Doll (4-1) adds Lasix for the first time and goes for the first time since August 31 for Mike Trombetta. She showed speed and faded in a pair of dirt starts last summer at Colonial Downs, and should keep the pace honest from the outside.
RACE 4: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 FURLONGS (GRASS)
6-7-5-3 (DIRT: 2-8-9-6)
#6 Shape Note (8-5) raced wide on a hot pace and faded second off the layoff last out and faded, albeit still running a career-best 76. He should improve with a better draw and a big class drop from first-level company, but even a repeat of his last effort probably wins this. #7 Upsidedown Man (7-2) made mild ground while wide into that hot pace last out, in his first start off a five-month freshening. He’s shown glimpses of an explosive closing punch, and he’ll try to put it all together second time out this season. #5 Better Luck (10-1) has never lost against winners, having won gate-to-wire in a determined effort on the Gulfstream Tapeta last out. In fact, everyone else in here has lost against winners at least twice. He should be one of the main speeds of this contest.
RACE 5: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS
5-7-2-4
It would be funny if an upset of #5 Freeze the Fire (7-5) triggered a single-ticket winner in the rainbow pick 6, considering his impressive maiden win last year led to a $547,000 payoff the day before a scheduled mandatory payout. He hasn’t won since then, but he’s more than held his own against the likes of Rominski and Take a Hint while running at least an 89 three straight times to start his season. He declined a bit last out after a wide trip, but he’s had a bit of time off since then and should handle these as long as he runs close to his best. #7 Into the Sauce (4-1) pressed the pace while wide and ran a solid 75 first off a seven-month layoff in his most recent. He might get caught wide on the pace again, but if he can work out a trip, he’ll be in a prime stalking position entering the stretch. #2 The Big Enchilada (3-1) should control the pace from the rail, and has run his best races when he’s tried these types. He ran a career-best 85 three starts ago, where he made what looked like a winning move, but flattened out late.
RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)
4-3-7-10 (DIRT: 5-9-2-15)
#4 Longbranch Lou (2-1) ran in the 70s in his first two grass tries over the winner at Tampa Bay Downs, overcoming modest early fractions to miss by a neck against a gate-to-wire winner. He’s gotten some time off since that February 28 contest, and has worked well both here and in Florida for new trainer Nolan Ramsey. #3 Graft (8-1) was also last seen at Tampa Bay, and battled on a hot pace before losing in a multi-way photo in his last start first off a seven-month break. He’s shown tactical speed before and could get a nice trip just off the leaders. #7 Fouroneohsmokeshow (8-1), named in tribute to the local area code, made solid late ground in his grass debut late November, and now drops in for a tag for the first time.
- Wendell Fong’s long route to the finish lineIt was a long, twisting road for eight-year-old gelding Wendell Fong, but it’s ending up in the right place: with the retirement he’s earned.
RACE 7: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES
1-6-2-3
#1 Not Thistimerandy (5-2) is the only one in here to run at least a 75 in each of his last three starts. He got up to beat winners two starts back with a strong late rally, and showed some late interest in his first try around two turns last out. #6 Tubtisiam (3-1) improved sharply last out after a few middling efforts, rallying for a near-miss second with a 78, a career-best mark by far. I’m not sure if he can duplicate that effort, considering how much of an outlier it is from the rest of his form, but even getting within a few points makes him a contender. #2 Brysons Option (6-5) just missed after pressing the pace two starts ago, then cut back around on turn at Parx last out and didn’t so much. This type of race looks like more his speed.
RACE 8: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS
3-5-4-2
#3 Pudd’n N Pie (5-1) improved sharply to an 82 first off the claim by Jerry Robb last out, coming up the inside to win and beat several of her rivals today in the process. She’s been in steadily improving form this year, and should work out a stalk-and-pounce trip. #5 Khozy Colby (2-1) ships from New York off a gate-to-wire at Aqueduct last out. She won around here two starts back, defeating Floge, who recently won at Monmouth park. This one should be tough customer on the lead with J.G. Torrealba aboard. #4 Maddie Ten (9-2) beat winners two starts ago, and made a bold move and grabbed second behind Pudd’n N Pie in her last start, running a career-best 81 in the process. She’ll sit just off the leaders and try to box by them late.
RACE 9: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)
6-5-8-2 (DIRT: 7-4-1-2)
#6 Mosey (9-2) broke her maiden at first asking last November, rallying from well off the pace to get there in the nick of time with an impressive 83. She rejoined the worktab in late March and has looked solid at her Fair Hill base. #5 Kobe’s Smile (7-2) was no match for first-level foes in her first try against winners last out, but drew off impressively to break her maiden two starts ago at Colonial Downs. She’s also coming off a break, having not raced since October, but any late life should be good enough for at least a share. #8 Lusty (1-1) hasn’t raced for more than a year, but showed promising in her two grass starts last spring, showing speed and going a long way both times. She finished second to future stakes-placed Thegilfromireland at first asking, then finished the job next out before going to the sidelines.
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