Gabby Gaudet's analysis for Saturday's race card at Pimlico:
Race 1, 1:10 p.m. post time
Selections: No. 4 Recruiting Ready, No. 2 Even It Up, No. 5 Worth His Salt
Recruiting Ready has some inspiring pedigree, out of a mare that makes him kin to Adulator, a recent sharp allowance winner in New York. Even It Up doesn't have anything extraordinary in terms of pedigree on the bottom side but the barn is great with babies and already has a winner this meet. Worth His Salt is out of a decent producer whose foals have bankrolled over $287,000.
Race 2, 1:38 p.m.
Selections: No. 2 Convoyarie, No. 8 She's On a Roll, No. 5 So Striking
Convoyarie drops to appropriate level. Barn does well with these type of class droppers whereas trainer Tom Ionnatti brings out She's On a Roll and is only 13 percent (3-24, $0.68 ROI) with class droppers on the dirt. So Striking may be the fastest early and hold on for a piece.
Race 3, 2:06 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 Out With the Blues, No. 10 True to Form, No. 3 Greyscale
Out With the Blues looks like he's screaming for more distance as he has no early speed. He experienced a lot of trouble in debut and could set up for a big one with the real estate. True to Form exits a barn that does well with their maiden special weight to maiden claiming class droppers on the turf (3-11, 27 percent, $3.56 ROI). Greyscale is a bit untrustworthy but could move up on surface change.
Race 4, 2:34 p.m.
Selections: No. 3. Royal Almighty, No. 1A Mr. Game Seven, No. 2 Daystrike
Although Royal Almighty has the speed that will potentially get him caught in a speed battle, I do still think he has some sneaky good back class that may resurface off the claim today. I like that he's protected here. Mr. Game Seven has a good post and figures to fit the race shape with closing style. Daystrike will have to prove he can settle and secure a stalking position from the rail post.
Race 5, 3:02 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 Jonestown Jonesy, No. 8 Devil Rising, No. 5 Orbit
Johnstown Jonesy has been hampered by troubled trips in his past two starts off the layoff. He comes back to a course where he's a perfect 2 for 2. Willing to excuse; this is a great spot for him. Devil Rising hasn't sprinted on the turf for quite a while but just last year he proved good enough to be competitive against allowance company in Florida. Hoping Orbit can transition his speed on the main track to the turf - he needs to be quicker than his previous three turf starts.
Race 6, 3:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 2 Welcome Fairbanks, No. 1 Zippzapzapper, No. 5 Because He Can
Welcome Fairbanks has not been in form lately, there's no sugar-coating that. But I do think he can be competitive against this level and he's been able to rebound off of subpar performances in the past. Zippzapzapper must send from the outside but could he find company? Will use Because He Can protectively but hard to trust completely.
Race 7, 3:58 p.m.
Selections: No. 5 Not A Secret, No. 4 My Music, No. 1 Victory Square
Not a Secret looks like she could be lone speed. Hoping she clears early and dictates here similarly to win; she hung on for third at a big price against a tough turf field three starts ago. My Music came from well far back last out to run well against a next out winner. Victory Square is a danger on the class drop but will be up against it pace-wise.
Race 8, 4:26 p.m.
Selections: No. 1 Tizdejaslew, No. 6 Pistol Posse, No. 2 Risky Persuasion
Tizdejaslew was entered in a maiden special weight and scratched. Better placement here but I like the vote of confidence of stepping her up in class. Pistol Posse figures on the drop in class and Risky Persuasion could send from gate off layoff.
Race 9, 4:55 p.m.
Selections: No. 1 Star Black, No. 4 Lulu Island, No. 3 Smart N Smokin
Star Black can fire fresh off the layoff and this race seems to have the right pace she wants in order to close into today. Lulu Island loves the local turf course at Pimlico and that factor resurfaced last out. This is a tougher assignment but she's got the momentum coming in. Smart N Smokin will need to find position early. Sometimes she left too much to do at the top of the stretch. She has class advantage, however.
Race 10, 5:24 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Pro Daddy, No. 6 Getup Stayup, No. 9 Blazin Luck
Pro Daddy is a longtime maiden but with limited starts on the turf, both of which were strong against slightly tougher. I respect Getup Stayup and the Duggan barn but 9-5 on a runner that has never tried turf seems low. Blazin Luck figures on drop and I liked that we saw a little more early speed last out.
Best Bet: Race 7, No. 5 Not a Secret
Price Play: Race 5, No. 3 Jonestown Jonesy