Gabby Gaudet's analysis, betting tips for Friday's race card at Pimlico Race Course:
Race 1, 1:10 p.m. post time
Selections: No. 2 Faze the Nation, No. 1A Perfect Party Girl, No. 5 Priss
Faze the Nation ran a better race than what it suggests on paper in debut. She broke well but then was immediately trapped inside on potentially the deeper part off the sloppy track. Experience is key here and I think she got just that last out. Perfect Party Girl is by a sire who's a good 2-year-old producer and kin to a couple of 6-figure earners including Bear's Future ($266 earner/won on synthetic and dirt). Priss is out of a stakes-winning mare who won at 2 years old. Like the gate works, too.
Race 2, 1:38 p.m.
Selections: No. 1 Tachiello, No. 7 Annamonarchos, No. 8 Love That
Tachiello not only drew away from the field last time out for a new barn, but showed that she can be fast early again. Although winless on the surface, she's proven she can handle it, and with the presence of sprinters stretching out, she should get a hot, suspect pace to run into. Annamonarchos could also benefit from aforementioned pace development. Love That enters the right spot here in terms of class, surface and distance. Should sit the stalking trip.
Race 3, 2:06 p.m.
Selections: No. 6 Dewdrop's Heart, No. 3 Dumpster Diva, No. 7 Belle Allesandra
Dewdrop's Heart improved and broke her maiden first time going long. She then faced tough, open company and didn't handle the surface switch last out. Better spot here. Dumpster Diva has never been two turns on the dirt before and the added distance seems to complement her running style. Belle Allesandra looks like outside speed and the two-turns could help her reserve more for the final couple of jumps.
Race 4, 2:34 p.m.
Selections: No. 8 Thirteenth Avenue, No. 7 Stone Crazy, No. 1 Airgead
Thirteenth Avenue put in a very credible effort last out off the layoff. He seemed to flatten out a bit but that wasn't an easy field and he looks to improve against this easier spot and at the distance. Look for him to be right there when the gates open. In Stone Crazy's turf sprint, the winner exited to take an open $25k next out at Belmont. Can he stretch his legs farther? I think so. Airgead was caught mid-pack between some heavy hitters last out off over a year and a half layoff. Third place finisher in there came back to win a starter with an 80 Beyer.
Race 5, 3:02 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 Derwin's Decision, No. 1 Runnerrunnerqueen, No. 2 Britt's Fortune
Derwin's Decision showed more speed on the stretch-out and the addition of blinkers last out. I'll chalk the performance up to her not liking the turf. Now faces easier field on the dirt, second time blinkers to sharpen her up. Runnerrunnerqueen has been freshened since the claim and immediately points to the dirt for sharp connections. Britt's Fortune's best advantage is her speed. The one to catch?
Race 6, 3:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Serenready, No. 5 Bonnie K, No. 8 Have Hope
Serenready isn't that slow and with the barn switch and the presence of questionable speed, she could use that to her advantage. Bonnie K was sent and tried to be aggressive early her last turf sprint from the way outside post, but that didn't look like a preferred running style. Better drawn today. Have Hope has the potential to improve with her pedigree on the turf. Low stats for the barn with turf sprinters make me just a bit cautious.
Race 7, 3:58 p.m.
Selections: No. 2 Trusted Choice, No. 3 Señor Quickie, No. 5 Vision of Green
Trusted Choice has tried several times to close from off the pace but always just runs out of real estate. The stretch-out to this distance may make him sharper and not have to do so much in the stretch. Not to mention, he's a 3-time winner at this distance. Was Señor Quickie just starting to get good before trying the turf last out? Like this placement best. Vision of Green's biggest problem is his lack of speed. Needs a good pace flow today but isn't facing what he faced (competition-wise) at this distance before.
Race 8, 4:26 p.m.
Selections: No. 5 Not Tonight Berta, No. 3 Barrel Roll, No. 2. Kadie'shorseplay
I like the cutback, third start off the layoff for Not Tonight Berta. She didn't have the easiest of trips last time she sprinted and should be tighter today. Everything aligned perfectly for Barrel Roll. Right distance, right surface, right trip. Can she get that lucky back-to-back? Although Kadie'shorseplay stepped up in class to break her maiden last November, it was no fluke. She had experienced wide, and sometimes troubled trips in her previous turf sprint efforts. Like the protect move off the layoff.
Race 9, 4:55 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 Tru Greek, No. 6 My Giant, No. 1 Alex the Dude
Yes, it's a slight concern that Tru Greek is only 2-42 in his career, but he is only 0-5 at this distance on the turf and those races were much tougher, including against Grade 3-placed Cage Fighter. This field is probably best for My Giant. His two lifetime wins came against claimers and he just seemed a touch outclassed against A1X company. Alex the Dude was bumped slightly out of the gate last out and found himself too far off the pace to close on a track that was kind to speed. Back to the drawing board with this one.
Best bet: Race 9, No. 7 Tru Greek
Price play: Race 8, No. 5 Not Tonight Berta