Gabby Gaudet's race analysis and top picks for Saturday's race card at Pimlico Race Course:
Race 1, 1:10 p.m. post time
Selections: No. 4 Mail Order Groom, No. 2 Trusted Choice, No. 1. Mavericks Gun
Mail Order Groom's best attribute is his versatility. There are several here that are a bit one-dimensional, but this runner can stalk, and draws a good outside post to do so. Trusted Choice unforuntatly is hindered by running style. Doesn't seem like a lot of pace here. Mavericks Gun must work out a trip from rail and prove competitive against open company.
Race 2, 1:38 p.m.
Selections: No. 9 Twenty Black, No. 4 Heavenly Perfect, No. 3 Lulu Island.
Blinkers come off Twenty Black after not showing the ability to settle and close with them on in the past two. Not going to give up on her just yet, as race against tougher locally last year was strong. Heavenly Perfect's turf debut was no fluke. She bred to handle the turf and I like that she has tactical speed. Lulu Island couldn't make the lead alone on the rail last out. There was an overwhelming amount of speed in her last race, whereas she could be the fastest early here.
Race 3, 2:06 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 Sola Fide, No. 8 Meeting Francis, No. 7 First to Fire
Sola Fide looks like she does her best running closing from off the pace on a fast main track. Should get a hot pace to close into. I respect the race she comes out of at Keeneland and I do like the cutback in distance, but at a short price Meeting Francis but may be vulnerable. First to Fire's last race is excusable as she was eliminated from the start. Could press the pace from the outside.
Race 4, 2:34 p.m.
Selections: No. 9 Shan Dian Kia, No. 7 Say No Maux, No. 4 Silver Wraith
Shan Dian Kia may have been aggressively placed off the claim, but now the Ness barn gets realistic. I liked him last out, so I must stay with him one more time on the drop back down to the right level. Trainer Mike Pino sends out Say No Maux who is 29 percent (6-21, $4.38 ROI) with horses first of the claim going long on the turf. Silver Wraith could clear on the lead and be the one to catch.
Race 5, 3:02 p.m.
Selections: No. 10 Night Maneuver, No. 8 Blue Chips Only, No. 6 DNA Approved
Night Maneuver clearly seems like he's seen better days but I look for an improved performance today being outside speed. He could be the fastest of all early with a lightweight and lack of speed in the race. Blue Chips Only exits tougher open condition races and cutback to a preferred distance. Must use. DNA Approved ran a sneaky good race two starts back, after splitting horses through the stretch. Look for him to be closing late.
Race 6, 3:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 Flaming Humor, No. 4 De Rigueur, No. 11 Justcallme K L
Flaming Humor drops to the easiest level he's ever faced on turf. He doesn't seem like a turf sprinter, so with one under his belt, and stretching out to a more preferred distance, he's preferred. De Rigueur is another that should appreciate the added real estate. He was flat last out going shorter but could be more effective closer to the pace at this distance. Justcallme K L ran very well all considering he lost position early and still managed to outrun run the 19-1 odds in his turf debut.
Race 7, 3:58 p.m.
Selections: No. 1. Everything Magic, No. 4 Sweethearted, No. 7 Tango Delta
Trainer Mike Trombetta sends out Everything Magic. The barn hits at 39 percent (16-41, $3.47 ROI) with maidens coming back after 180+ day layoffs on the dirt. Sweethearted was well beaten by this level when she debuted for the $40k tag. Blinkers go on to perhaps help her have a bit more gate speed. Looks like the longer, the better for Tango Delta. Is this distance still a touch too short?
Race 8, 4:26 p.m.
Selections: No. 2 Magician's Bullet, No. 8 Magnum Opus, No. 4 Rolin with Olin
Magician's Bullet ran some of his best races locally on the turf last year. Maybe he's a horse starting to tail off or maybe he simply needed that race off the layoff last out. Magnum Opus caught a little trouble at the 1/2-mile pole last out, but he did have full opportunity to make it up throughout the stretch, but just looked a bit flat. Rolin with Olin needs to manage his speed better. He went very fast internal fractions last out; won't give up n him just yet.
Race 9, 4:55 p.m.
Selections: No. 8 Uncle Carm, No. 6 Excellent Royale, No. 4 Longer Terms Doug
Uncle Carm exits good-for-level claiming races and is a six-time winner at this distance. He's proven in the past he can fire fresh, and runs respectable races no matter the surface with questionable weather in the forecast. Excellent Royale perhaps didn't like the track last out. It's hard to believe that race was legitimate and I think he can regroup second off the claim. Longer Terms Doug knows how to find the winner's circle and must be respected given his merits. I like but prefer others.
Best bet: Race 1, No. 4 Mail Order Groom
Price play: Race 2, No. 9 Twenty Black