Gabby Gaudet's analysis and betting tips for Saturday's race card at Pimlico Race Course:
Race 1, 12:45 p.m. post time
Selections: No. 1 Miss Wilby, No. 2 Cursive, No. 3 E Lizzy
Miss Wilby looks like she can get the jump on this short field from the rail post. Cursive posts a sharp bullet workout to get her geared up for the stretch-out. The more distance, the better for her. E Lizzy tried the turf to no avail after a troubled beginning but her last dirt race was key as it has produced four winners since.
Race 2, 1:38 p.m.
Selections: No. 8 Cinder Block, No. 2 Thorny, No. 1A Joe Tess
Cinder Block hasn't been seen since mid-November and does drop in class but I don't think it's necessarily suspicious. He was beaten against starter allowance company last year and this seems like the right placement. Should be the outside speed. Thorny should sit the trip behind the speed and will get the pace he wants today. The winner repeated against allowance company on Thursday. Joe Tess will be part of the early speed battle. Can he sustain?
Race 3, 2:06 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 Saratoga Wildcat, No. 1 Gursky, No. 4 American Progress
Saratoga Wildcat looks like a horse who will love the cutback in distance. He's been falling flat going longer but I think will prefer making a one-run move into the pace. Gursky has had some trouble breaking lately but has developed into a nice sprinter in the Schoenthal barn. American Progress put in all the dirty work last out and couldn't hang on. Today the speed looks a little less intimidating.
Race 4, 2:34 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Maryland Mystique, No. 7 Synergist, No. 2 Mucho Blessings
Maryland Mystique gets a big class relief from her last start after experiencing early trouble. Her best races are when she can sit just a few strides off the leaders, so hoping for aggressive placement today. Synergist has a tough time finding the winner's circle but have to respect the fact she's always picking up checks. Mucho Blessings doesn't have a lot of early speed in a faceless race but the race she exits was good-for-level.
Race 5, 3:02 p.m.
Selections: No. 1 Uno Emayo, No. 2 Devonson, No. 8 Shouk
Uno Emayo ran a credible race in the slop last out on the class drop. Think spot is right for her and she could get the speed to come back to her. Devonson really had everything go her way on the lead last out with the blinkers going back on. She might, unfortunately, get softened up by Shouk just to her outside who has the controlling hand.
Race 6, 3:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 1 Kadie'shorseplay, No. 2 Azia Brown, No. 4 Chessen
Kadie'shorseplay ran an average race last out and the biggest hindrance today will be the rail post. She doesn't have enough speed to go to the lead so it'll be tricky to work out a trip. However, I think she needed that last race off the shelf. Look for improvement. Azia Brown went wire to wire in mediocre fractions last out. Thought she got a dream trip but who's to say she's not the fastest early today again? Chessen went too fast early last out at Belmont. Think the drop is necessary and hopefully can stalk today at a big price.
Race 7, 3:58 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 Splashtastic, No. 5 Joywave, No. 1 Souper Awesome
Splashtastic debuts for the Rubley barn. He draws a perfect post for a first-timer and if he has any real talent, he doesn't seem to be meeting any bears here. He's out of a nice mare who was a nine-time winner on dirt and seven-time winner on turf. Joywave dwelt slightly then was checked at the start last out. Didn't look like he handled the track either. Souper Awesome could be much closer today on the stretch-out and having to check slightly out of the gate last out.
Race 8, 4:26 p.m.
Selections: No. 1 Inside Out, No. 8 Tide Is High, No. 6 Royal Renege
Inside Out comes out of strong races from last season. She finished just over a length behind a filly who came back to take a Grade 3 at Monmouth. The barn is very strong with layoffs on the turf. Tide Is High will be the one to catch and looks even more dangerous as the potential lone speed. Royal Renege is so versatile in her ability to go long and short. Quirky behavior in her last start but comes back to a course where she's found success.
Race 9, 4:55 p.m.
Selections: No. 8 Spring Equinox, No. 9 To Dare, No. 2 Silent Tale
Spring Equinox's turf performances as a 3-year-old last year were too good to overlook. To Dare looks like a horse that has more talent than he leads on. Maybe he hasn't quite found his niche but the surface change could do the trick. Silent Tale cuts back slightly and could use his speed to his advantage.
Best bet: Race 9, No. 8 Spring Equinox
Price play: Race 7, No. 7 Splashtastic