Gabby Gaudet's race analysis for Sunday's card at Pimlico Race Course:
Race 1, 1:10 p.m. post time
Selections: No. 2 Go Daddy Girl, No. 3 Lady Ann, No. 5 I O Ines
Go Daddy Girl has been much the best against her competition in her last three starts. She won going gate to wire in those starts, but I do think she's versatile in that she doesn't need the lead. She also held form against starter allowance company at Laurel; she'll be tough to beat in this spot. Lady Ann looks like she does her best running on the lead. Last out she steadied early and lost position. Look for improved speed today in the new barn and on the stretch out. I O Ines doesn't look like a closing sprinter. It seems she can never get comfortable sprinting. The stretch-out looks like the right move.
Race 2, 1:38 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Sabbiadoro, No. 5 Super Fund, No. 3 Runaway Dude
Sabbiadoro was questionable off the layoff and on the drop last out. He acted a little rank early and wouldn't settle last out but maybe the best option would be to just go and try to get into position on the lead. Should be sharper second off time away. Super Fund has positional speed and should be able to let the pace unfold in front of him. He's a danger on the drop. Runaway Dude is a new gelding and drops from one of the tougher Maiden Special Weight races we saw at the meet (produced three next out winners).
Race 3, 2:06 p.m.
Selections: No. 13 Sazerac Girl, No. . Sad But True, No. 5 Tizasong
You must admire Sazerac Girl's consistency going into today's race. She's been no worse than third this year on multiple different surfaces. The only negative is the potential pace scenario. Given the presence of many first time starters, the pace is unclear and that could pose as a problem for this deep closer. Tough inside post for Sad But True but she's out of a mare who produced solid runners that found success on multiple different surfaces. They were also very precocious. Tizasong cost a pretty penny at the sale. She's out of an allowance-type dirt sprinting mare who also produced Florida Won (a multiple graded stakes winner on synthetic).
Race 4, 2:34 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Ride the Shark, No. 1 So Striking, No. 3 Glamour Queen
Ride the Shark broke slowly last out and was a little rank but he did put in a game effort during the stretch, battling back on the inside. This seems like the right group for him. So Striking met tougher company when at Laurel earlier this year. I like that she stops to this condition and has a good second after not breaking well out of town last out. Glamour Queen faced maiden special weight and upper level maiden claimers on the dirt in the past. This is a considerable drop.
Race 5, 3:02 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 Slick William, No. 6 Favorite Heir, No. 5 Belly of the Whale
Not only does Slick William drop in class from tough allowance company but he also experienced considerable early trouble last out. He broke well and was steadied sharply inside, going into the first turn. He never really had the ability to regroup - hopefully gets a better trip today. Favorite Heir was given time since his last race and is a now listed as newly gelded. Is a bit of a concern that he didn't show speed last out but I'll respect on the drop and freshened. Belly of the Whale is a little pace dependent, but he should get the right pace he wants in front today.
Race 6, 3:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 5 Double Sharp, No. 1 Tizsomethingroyal, No. 2 Sudden Hope
Double Sharp is out of a mare who was good early, winning the Grade 2 Forward Gal and Davona Dale - she won on all surfaces (turf, dirt, synthetic). The Gorham barn is 22 percent (2-9, $9.06 ROI / 5-9 in the money with Maiden special weight first timers sprinting on the dirt. Tizsomethingroyal might need to send from the rail to have the most success. She comes out of strong races and has the experience edge. Sudden Hope is out of a good three-other-than mare who made over $100k. She's also a half sister to Devilish Gate who won on multiple surfaces and bankrolled over $280k.
Race 7, 3:58 p.m.
Selections: No. 5 Proud to Say, No. 11 Swellegent, No. 12 Malibu Preacher
Proud to Say had his path completely shut off on the backstretch last out and lost hope from the get-go. Connections keep this horse protected and I think he can regroup from last time. Swellegent ran a superb race off the layoff last out. The main concern is how much moisture the turf will have on Sunday, as he does best running on former ground. Malibu Preacher has the back credentials to legitimize his most recent performance - respect.
Race 8, 4:26 p.m.
Selections: No. 5 Girls Got Rhythm, No. 9 Town Tart, No. 1 Street Cruizer
Girls Got Rhythm is gradually improving with experience. She runs well on a fast main track or a track that has moisture. The blinkers on will help sharpen her up but she should prove best continuing to stalk the pace. Town Tart could have the controlling position, pressing from the outside. Rudy Rodriguez barn has been strong the latter half of the Laurel meet and beginning of the Pimlico meet. Street Cruizer's biggest problem to overcome is the rail post given her running style. Like the cutback.
Race 9, 4:55 p.m.
Selections: No. 9 Manx, No. 11 Lightening Electric, No. 8 Hudson Miracle
Manx may have been a little bit short last out off the May 2015 layoff, but that mile race looks to set him up with for stretching out to this distance today. Has the back class to work off of and seems to fit this group well. Lightening Electric is very dependent on the speed of others - as was the case last out. He does, however run well on a turf with moisture in it. Hudson Miracle has kept good company in south Florida during the winter and should be closing late off the freshening.
Best bet: Race 1, No. 2 Go Daddy GIrl
Price play: Race 6, No. 5 Double Sharp