Timonium picks AND PONDERINGS: AUGUST 31, 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
- Dean Delivers seeks return to winning ways in Dave’s FriendDean Delivers, winner of July’s De Francis Dash, returns to Laurel Park Saturday to headline the Dave’s Friend Stakes.
RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 4 FURLONGS
- #1 – Sir Mick (3-1): Scratched a few days ago to run here; he showed blazing speed on debut and finished second behind a future stakes winner.
- #7 – Narizon (7-2): Led a long way before fading last out; should be sent for speed.
- #6 – Let’s Have a Party (4-1): Improved second time out and has good late speed.
RACE 2: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 1/2 FURLONGS
- #2 – Nami (3-1): Consistently runs the best speed figures in the race.
- #5 – La Macchina Rosa (9-2): Her only bad one-turn race as of late came when she broke poorly.
- #3 – Baby Sox (5-2): She’ll be a threat if she improves second off the layoff.
RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $5,000, 3, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE
- #6 – Minimo (12-1): He’s improved in each of his last few starts.
- #1 – Crown That Saint (9-5): Should save more ground than last time, which would mean an improved effort
- #3 – Pure Realization (8-1): Has taken steps forward lately and should be forwardly placed.
RACE 4: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 1/2 FURLONGS
- #4– Restless (5-2): Came from well out of it and got up for second, races first off the claim by Anthony Farrior.
- #5 – Dr Jack Flyer (9-2): The “other” Farrior trainee is sure to be sent to the early lead.
- #7 – El Divino Nino (7-2): Closed well for third in his first start of the Timonium meet.
RACE 5: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 1/2 FURLONGS
- #10– Conquest Dancer (3-1): Another recent Farrior claim; she broke her maiden impressively in KY last out.
- #2– Lottie Deno (5-2): She’s also a lightly-raced recent maiden winner and will try to take advantage of a good draw.
- #1 – Determined Blue (30-1): Has worked well in preparation for her first start since May; should rally for a share at a price
RACE 6: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE
- #4 – Ascendance (2-1): Has run well in his last few starts despite wide trips.
- #1 – Noble Union (8-1): Looks to take a step forward in his second east coast start.
- #5 – Law of the Jungle (8-5): He’s tailed off a bit in his last few stars, but his races from over the summer win this.
RACE 7: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE
- #3 – Southern District (2-1): Uber-consistent gelding has run well against better lately; he’ll do his best running towards the end.
- #4 – Up Against It (15-1): Ran well over the winter but was flat first off the bench last out; willing to give him another shot.
- #8 – Timely Prospect (7-5): Probably best in the field on ability, but hard to take low odds on a horse in their first start off a six-month layoff.
RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 MILE
- #5 – Jardani (2-1): Just missed in a big effort at this level last out.
- #4 – Goodafternoonoscar (5-2): May be sent for speed after an impressive gate-to-wire win last out.
- #3 – Hittheroadjak (6-1): He has lots of potential and gets a class test here
RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 4 FURLONGS
- #4 – Audible the Play (4-1): She’s improved with each start and has already proven herself when challenged on the lead.
- #1 – Diakonissa (9-5): Has speed on the rail and is sure to be sent early.
- #5 – Great Andrei (5-2): Broke her maiden impressively two races ago.
RACE 10: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE
- #5 – Landslide Is Home (5-2): He’ll try to duplicate his gate-to-wire win last out.
- #4 – Time the Avenger (3-1): Takes a slight drop in class for his first start since late April.
- #7 – Army Cadet (9-2): Goes first off the claim by Joanne Shankle, and should rate off the pace on the outside.
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