Timonium picks AND PONDERINGS: AUGUST 30, 2024
John Piassek is here to provide Timonium picks and analysis for every day of live racing at the Maryland State Fair.
Post time: 12:25 p.m.
Late Pick 5: $0
- Derby trail: Owen Almighty dominates Tampa Bay DerbyOwen Almighty zipped to the front early and never was challenged en route to an easy win and 50 Kentucky Derby points in Saturday’s Tampa Bay Derby.
RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 1/2 FURLONGS
- #7 – First to Arrive (3-1): Opened up a long lead and kicked away in her last dirt start, only to
get caught late in a career-best effort. - #8 – Designer (9-2): Crossed the wire first on debut last September but was disqualified, now
makes her first start since then. - #2 – Red Hat Hanna (9-2): Crossed the wire first on debut last September but was disqualified, now
makes her first start since then.
RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 4 FURLONGS
- #4 – Molly of Stratford (2-1): Takes a drop in class and has a solid speed figure edge over this soft bunch.
- #5 – Miss Pearl Hart (9-5): Charles Town shipper broke her maiden in gate-to-wire fashion last out, and is fixing to repeat that effort.
- #1 – Vienna’s Twirl (4-1): Broke her maiden three starts ago when handled more patiently early; she’ll try to stalk the pace on the rail.
RACE 3: CLAIMING $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 1/2 FURLONGS
- #3 – Catalina Cruzin (9-5): A repeat of any of her last three dirt efforts wins this without much trouble.
- #4 – Blue Trillion (2-1): She’s gone off-form in her last few starts but might return to her best self if she can make the early lead.
- #7 – Frosty Maya (9-2): Lightly-raced filly has early speed and room to improve.
RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES
- #5 – Go Sherry Go (2-1): She’s faced better in her last few starts but should get her trip and get up over these.
- #6 – Sandra D (4-1): Led every step in her first local dirt start last out and is a threat to wire this group.
- #2 – Viennese Waltz (7-2): Look for her to do her best running in the final stages; she has the best late speed in the field.
RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 1/2 FURLONGS
- #5 – B West (5-2): He’s held his own against better in his last few and now finds a spot where he’s best on paper.
- #7 – Dee Jay (5-1): He’s done his best running in sprints lately and this is a sprint; the outside post is his only potential impediment.
- #4 – Backnthwoods (8-1): Improved sharply second off a four-month layoff last out and should get a nice trip in the middle of the
pack.
RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 4 FURLONGS
- #6 – Bandits Warrior (2-1): She’ll need to break well, but her best race wins this; her niece broke her maiden here in exciting style on Sunday.
- #3 – Poggibonsi (3-1): She hasn’t raced in a while but has enough early speed to be a serious threat.
- #5 – Mendys Honey (5-2): Broke her maiden in dominant fashion on debut at Charles Town last out and now gets her
class test; can she compete with these?
RACE 7: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 1/2 FURLONGS
- #5 – Rock Rose (5-2): Won on the pace last out at Charles Town, beating some of today’s rivals in the process.
- #1 – Sapphire Beauty (4-1): Has tactical speed on the rail and should hang around for at least share.
- #6 – Divine Fashion (2-1): She was the winningest horse in the country last year and has solid form this year as well.
RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 1/2 FURLONGS
- #6 – Stickwiththecolors (8-5): Just missed last out in PA against similar, and has room to improve.
- #1 – Flower Mound (3-1): The switch back to dirt and the claim by Anthony Farrior should help her out.
- #3 – Train Wreck (15-1): She has decent early speed and will try to secure the rail and the lead.
RACE 9: CLAIMING $25,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 1/2 FURLONGS
- #3 – All the Way (10-1): Ran a career-best race first off a nine-month layoff last out and looks like an upset threat against these.
- #7 – Dutch Mills (2-1): He’s run three big races in a row in DE; he’ll be tough if his form transfers to here.
- #4 – Buckin’ Dreamer (5-2): Fought on the lead and won last out; he was claimed by Anthony Farrior from that race.
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