This day at Pimlico is packed with 14 races and almost as many horses in each race. It should be a value packed day for wagering. Since it is a large card, I omitted some details for brevity. Looks like the weather will hold. Good Luck
Race 1, 6F, $10k Claiming, 3yo and up
Picks: 7, 9, 8, 2
Cyclical (7), looks hard to be in this opener. Trulee Ann (9) is certainly capable at a better price.
Race 2, 1 1/16M, $25k SOC, 3yo and up
Picks: 8, 4, 3, 13
Family Tree (8), should have a fair chance here. I’m going to try to beat Maryland Pride (4), with Jo’s Bold Cat (3).
Race 3, 6F, MSW, 3yo and up
Picks: 1, 8, 5, 6
China Cat (1) with Englehart/McCarthy seems likely best here. Fleeterthan (8) is close on the heels. I omitted Instinctive (3) because I believe the price will be too short at post with Irad on board.
Race 4, 5F, $40k WMC, 3yo and up
Picks: 2, 3, 8, 1
Going against the favorite, Time Flies By (9) with larger prices – just not sold on this horse.
Longshot Play: (4) Belmullet
Race 5, 6F, ALW, 3yo and up
Picks: 2, 4, 6, 11
This is a wide open race with a lot of solid horses. I’m shying away of some big names looking for one of these four to step-up and win. I definitely like them in the exotics.
Race 6, 1 1/16M, ALW, 3yo and up
Picks: 5, 8, 15, 4
Hard to not like the Pletcher/Saez combo here as the favorite with Largent (5). Everyone else looks to be running for second.
Race 7, 6F, Skipat STK, 3yo and up
Picks: 3, 9, 1, 10
Another toss-up between the favorites Chalon (3) and Estilo Femenino (9). I really like the (1) Halley’s Flip and the (10) Last True Love for the prices under the favorites in exotic wagers. Should be able to cash a decent ticket here.
Race 8, 6F, Miss Preakness STK, 3yo
Picks: 2, 1, 6, 8
It’s hard to doubt the (2) Covfefe in this spot. I think the scratch of the one offers a wide open spot for 2nd . Another good race for the exotic play.
Race 9, 1M, Hilltop STK, 3yo
Picks: 5, 2, 11, 12
(5) Dogtag for Brown is a clear favorite for a reason. Instead of trying to beat them, I’ll look to the pools for a price underneath.
Longshot Play: (14) Souper Escape
Race 10, 1 1/4M, Pimlico Special STK, 3yo
Picks: 8, 11, 4, 2
(8) Tenfold going out for Asmussen with Santana, Jr. onboard is my choice to win. You’re going to have to watch the pools and odds to find any value in this race, unless you can find the upset horse that I don’t see.
Race 11, 1 1/8M, Black-Eyed Susan STK, 3yo
Picks: 3, 6, 4, 2
(8) Point of Honor is going to be favored here. I think this is a horse that can be beaten. I’m going to take the (3) Ulele and the (4) Cookie Dough to take the win.
Race 12, 5F, Jim McKay Turf Sprint STK, 3yo
Picks: 1, 7, 2, 4
With all the scratches here, I’m going to have to wait to see what prices we get.
Race 13, 1 1/8M, Allaire DuPont Distaff STK, 3yo
Picks: 2, 6, 7, 3
(20 My Miss Lilly is poised to be best in this race. I really like the (7) Isotope to be hot on her heels, and if the price holds just could be the best bet.