Gabby Gaudet's analysis and betting tips for Sunday's card at Pimlico Race Course:
Race 1, 1:10 p.m. post time
Selections: No. 3 Daniel Did It, No. 2 Luck With a Kiss, No. 6 How About Peace
Luck With a Kiss has the speed and the class in order to wire the field here, exiting a race where he was well beaten by a new out winner. Must respect but also realize that Daniel Did It has speed and is also coming out of those open conditions and starters. Should get the controlling position from the outside. Willing to excuse How About Peace's most recent effort considering he's 0-5 on an off track. His back numbers at Pimlico next spring should suffice.
Race 2, 1:38 p.m.
Selections: No. 8 Brother Slick Nick, No. 1 Shan Dian Kia, No. 7 Deposit Slip
Shan Dian Kia ran well on the "good" turf after dropping last out. He simply just met a better class dropper. This race may prove to be a bit lighter but I'll take shot with Brother Slick Nick who broke slowly, rushed up and was very wide entering the first turn. Maybe this one will do better settling. Deposit Slip has had troubled trips in the past two starts, but the reason is often because of his late runnings style.
Race 3, 2:06 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 New Yawker, No. 2 Blue Chips Only, No. 6 Hey Kid
New Yawker was heavily sent last out to secure a position on the lead from the outside post. If he shows similar speed today, he could be alone on the lead. Blue Chips Only may not like the cutback to the 5 1/2 furlongs, as he's had trouble closing in time going farther. Perhaps a vulnerable favorite? Hey Kid was protected, entered in the waiver claiming last out but was respected at 4-1 by the public. Has every chance to move forward.
Race 4, 2:34 p.m.
Selections: No. 2 Sultry Encounter, No. 1A Victor Newman, No. 5 Credit Ready
Sultry Encounter is bred to love the turf. His siblings could run on anything but tended to improve on the turf, collectively making just shy of $230k on the grass. Victor Newman unfortunately faced some heavy-hitters in his maiden special weight races. Notice the effort against maiden claimers. Could be the one to catch. Credit Ready is fast early put could be pressured others including Victor Newman from the outside.
Race 5, 3:02 p.m.
Selections: No. 1 Blimey, No. 6 American Blend, No. 4 Love Rules All
Blimey had plenty of excuse for no showing speed last out, after being bumped around at the break. He used to be very fast early. Could we see that resurface now getting more distance? American Blend faced the hard-knocking Golden Rings last out, and probably not facing any bears like that today, but tough to take a low price on a barn that does best second or third off the claim. Love Rules All stretches out to two-turns where I think he may prefer sprinting.
Race 6, 3:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 Nancy's Gone Wild. No. 4 Purnata, No. 8 Super Sharp
Nancy's Gone Wild was caught in an awkward chasing position last time out behind a gate to wire winner when speed was strong on the turf. Her race in early April was too good to overlook, and I think she prefers a firmer going. Purnata needs to prove she can win on the turf. Maybe her last win on the dirt will serve as a confidence booster today, but she did have everything go her way and could deliver in her most recent turf routes. Super Sharp is kin to the very talented Pat Day Mile winner Sharp Azteca. Like that they're testing out a new surface to see what options they have moving forward.
Race 7, 3:58 p.m.
Selections: No. 6 It's a Bang, No. 1 Manando, No. 5 Parseghian
It's a Bang finally gets the needed class relief from open company to this condition today. He'll be hoping and parying that either Road Agent or Posse Man decide to press the speed of heavily favored Manando to the inside. Using Parseghian at a price, thinking a potential pace battle could set him up to put in a late bid.
Race 8, 4:26 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 Cowgirl Creed, No. 9 Imnaha, No. 10. Bioterp
Cowgirl Creed was very consistent and fast last season as a 3-year-old on the turf. She got into a bit of trouble before the layoff but I like that she's been freshened, gets lasix and is quick enough to clear from the inside. Hoping for a firm turf. Imnaha is capable of very good races, but also very bad races. She sometimes tends to be unreliable but that's why you always get a good price on her. In the past she's been ready to roll off the shelf and I am willing to excuse her race in late November on the latter half of the turf season. Has proven herself locally too. Bioterp faced a very tough allowance field last out after not managing to work out a trip from the rail post in the race prior. Considering this race is filled with a bunch of "unknowns," she'll be facing a slightly light field than last.
Race 9, 4:55 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Nick's Luck, No. 8 Flaming Humor, No. 3 Aqua Teen
Nick's Luck gets a major class relief from his two prior turf races. I liked the fact that he was a little more involved early against tougher two starts back and we could see him sit the stalking trip today. Flaming Humor was strong on the drop in class last out and could easily repeat a similar effort. Arnaud Delacour send out Aqua Teen, a barn that can win with their first time starters going long on the turf. Bred to like the lawn.
Best Bet: Race 4, No. 2 Sultry Encounter
Price Play: Race 2, No. 8 Brother Slick Nick