Stan Salter's analysis and best bets for Saturday's race card at Pimlico Race Course:
Race 1, 1:10 p.m. post time
Selections: No. 2 Brute Force, No. 3 Voluntario, No. 1 I Came to Party
Brute Force had a visually impressive wire to wire win over the sloppy going here at Pimlico on Preakness Day. He's a promising Maryland-bred for Sagamore Farm and trainer Horacio DePaz, and it's encouraging they keep Edgar Prado on him today. Voluntario is your heavy 2-5 favorite after running a game second in The Sir Barton, but you won't get any value on him today with the short odds. I Came to Party ran well and finished fourth in The Federico Tesio and will try to get back to that good form today.
Race 2, 1:38 p.m.
Selections: No. 5 Proud Maid Marian, No. 2 Carrauntoohil, No. 1 Kanaka
Proud Maid Marian ran okay first off the claim for the new barn of Kieron Magee when they tried him on the turf. The slight drop today should help and they have top rider Trevor McCarthy in the saddle. Carrauntoohil rallied for a sharp second three back and the drop today should help. Kanaka woke up and was second at this level last time and fi gures in the mix today.
Race 3, 2:06 p.m.
Selections: No. 2 Eve, No. 6 Super Cassie Girl, No. 7 Onegreatstep
Eve has made a huge improvement with the addition of blinkers the new barn put on her first off the claim when she won at 12-1. She now has won two in a row for trainer Dale Capuano and finds a soft spot today to try and make it three in a row. Super Cassie Girl rallied for third in her last start and stretches out in distance today. Onegreatstep finished a game second last time and gets Trevor McCarthy to ride today.
Race 4, 2:34 p.m.
Selections: No. 11 Outofthedepths, No. 5 Chaotic Bull, No. 3 Broad Moon
Outofthedepths is a real nice 9-year-old who still loves what he does and he regained his sharp form in his last start when he finished a game second at this level here at Pimlico. He loves the Pimlico turf and has won on it three times out of six starts. Chaotic Bull had a sharp win first off the claim for trainer Wayne Potts in his most recent start and takes a step up today. Broad Moon led them all the way last time at this level and held on for third.
Race 5, 3:02 p.m.
Selections: No. 1 Sabbiadoro, No. 4 Hushhushmushmush, No. 7 Pagan Power
Sabbiadoro has shown talent in the past and finally put it all together in his last start when he broke his maiden by nine lengths. They put him right back in a spot today where he can possibly do the same thing and win this condition for fun. Hushhushmushmush's last two races haven't been much, but the drop and switch back to dirt might help today. Pagan Power was third as the beaten favorite for $10,000 last time and takes a drop in class today.
Race 6, 3:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 1 True to Form, No. 5 Slick William, No. 7 Z Ponti
True to Form is well-bred for the turf and the drop to the claiming ranks last time was all he needed to break his maiden. Trainer Rodney Jenkins finds a nice spot for him today to face winners for the fi rst time and jockey Victor Carrasco should be able to save ground on him today breaking from the rail. Slick William had a wide journey last time and finished third at this level. Z Ponti broke his maiden at Tampa back in March and finds easier company today after his last race against better.
Race 7, 3:58 p.m.
Selections: No. 6 Lovable Lady, No. 4 Line of Best Fit, No. 1 Sweet Fortune
Lovable Lady has had an unfavorable post position in her last two starts, but still ran a game third at this level last time. Her outside post today should suit her stalk-and-pounce running style with Horacio Karamanos up for trainer Mary Eppler. Line of Best Fit has won two in a row for the new barn and takes a step up in class today. Sweet Fortune beat my top pick in her race two back but has to overcome breaking from the rail today.
Race 8, 4:26 p.m.
Selections: No. 10 Eleusis, No. 6 Leafy Shade, No. 8 Freudie Anne
Eleusis overcame a lot of trouble in her start two back, but almost led all the way to finish second, beaten only a neck. In her most recent start she went too fast early on and faded to finish ninth. Today she gets Hall of Famer Edgar Prado riding for trainer Niall Saville. Leafy Shade ran a decent fourth here on Black-Eyed Susan Day at this level after overcoming some traffic problems. Freudie Anne hasn't shown much so far in two starts this year, but is capable of better.
Race 9, 4:55 p.m.
Selections: No. 8 Sunshine Heart, No. 6 Leroys Jewel, No. 3 Intrepid Alex
Sunshine Heart's last two starts have been very solid and she finds softer company today. Leading-rider Feargal Lynch might be able to control the pace with this mare's early speed and outside post. Leroys Jewel will most likely be your favorite, but hasn't run since last October at Laurel Park. Intrepid Alex has talent but probably needs more distance and is coming off a layoff today for trainer Gary Capuano.
Best bet: Race 3, No. 2 Eve
Price play: Race 4, No. 11 Outofthedepths