Gabby Gaudet's analysis and betting tips for Friday's race card at Pimlico Race Course:
Race 1, 1:10 p.m. post time
Selections: No. 3 Pony Romo, No. 5 Becky Kecki, No. 1 She's On a Roll
Several runners in here look like they do their best running on the front end. The pace figures to be contentious, therefore setting things up nicely for Pony Romo. Last time Pony Romo and Becky Kecki faced each other, the latter got away with securing a position on the lead. She could have more company today but still think she's the one to beat. She's On a Roll won dropping to the right level last out. The barn has been on a roll lately with limited starters, however, tougher pst today than last.
Race 2, 1:38 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Stillburnin, No. 2 Rock Harbor, No. 8 Victor Newman
Stillburnin looks to improve on the drop and leaving the turf behind. This angle is often successful for the Cibelli barn who is 4-20 (20 percent) and 13-20 (65 percent) with maiden claiming sprinters going from turf to dirt. Rock Harbor looks likes he's fallen a bit flat going two turns. He should get the pace he wants and will look to make a run at the top of the stretch. Victor Newman is fast, but can he sustain his speed on the dirt? He improved second start off the layoff lat out and maybe that'll be a good omen with an outside post today.
Race 3, 2:06 p.m.
Selections: No. 5 Fantod, No. 3 Disco Elvis, No. 2 Cap'n Raymond
I've been waiting to see Fantod's speed come back to him. He did experience trouble back in May and wasn't fast enough o keep up with Billy the Bull in early June. Think he'll be the fastest of all - catch me if you can on the cutback. Disco Elvis faces the lightest company in his career today and wanted no part of two-turns last out. Right placement today. Cap'n Raymond was caught in a tough pocket inside last out behind a wire to wire winner, and prior to that hampered by softer conditions. The pace may come back to him a bit more today, and hoping for a firm ground.
Race 4, 2:34 p.m.
Selections: No. 6 Super Cassie Girl, No. 5 Mothernaturespell, No. 4 Clowns to the Left
Super Cassie Girl is sometimes hindered by her running style at sprints. She needs the right pace and a well-timed move. The cutback today, however may sharpen her up just enough to close into the pace potentially set by Mothernaturespell and Nicki Flash. Clowns to the Left caught two tough-for-level runners in her two races prior to her win. Meets the right group today to be competitive.
Race 5, 3:02 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 Right Squall, No. 6 Risky Guy, No. 3 The Camden Comet
This race could go one of two ways -- either Golden Rings is fast enough to press Town of Towns or the latter gets away with a lone lead. It could make Right Squall's life a bit harder if the pace battle doesn't ensue, but he also has shown the ability to not take himself too far out of the race occasionally. The 9-year-old knows how to find the winner's circle, especially at this distance. Risky Guy is best at this distance versus the 7-furlongs where he faced Right Squall last time. Don't let The Camden Comet's win against lesser fool you last out. He's capable of being competitive against this level as he proved last season. Could be rounding back into form.
Race 6, 3:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 4Natural Order, No. 7 Grandiflora, No. 5 Mount Coronet
Natural Order's best attribute is his ability to be tactical. He runs well on the lead but doesn't necessarily need it. Maybe his best approach today would be to wait patiently behind those with outside post positions who may send to get into position. You have to admire Grandiflora's versatility and ability to go long or short. He put in a huge effort and a similar performance would carve him a trip to the winner's circle today. Mount Coronet most likely needs just a bit more distance than the mile to be most effective but he's steadily progressing since the layoff and could be sitting on go.
Race 7, 3:58 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Fitzfarris, No. 3 Blue Moon Ace, No. 6 Miners Quest
When horses in the Magee barn start getting good, they usually continue getting good. I think that may be the case with Fitzfarris who keeps inching forward despite the steps up in class. Blue Moon Ace really showed his talent and versatility by transitioning his dirt form to the turf last out. The question remains, where is he best? Winner of his only loss came back to lose a turf sprint stakes at Monmouth, so hard to gauge. Miners Quest could be eyeing the pace scenario with hope today.
Race 8, 4:26 p.m.
Selections: No. 2 Silent Tale, No. 8 Thirteenth Avenue, No. 6 Frisky Magician
Silent Tale looks like the speed of the speed similar to when he went wire to wire last out. The firm turf course did, perhaps carry his speed a little better last out and the only concern would be a change in the conditions of the turf. Thirteenth Avenue sits atop a nice win last out for a barn that does an excellent job retooling sprinters off the claim. Nice outside post for a repeat. Frisky Magician should be ready to fire off the layoff as the barn does well with horses going back from similar time away. However, he look like he prefers the lead instead of chasing, but the latter may be his only option with the presence of faster early.
Best bet: Race 6, No. 4 Natural Order
Price play: Race 1, No. 3 Pony Romo