Tag Archives: Pimlico Race Course

Horse racing, Pimlico, Preakness Stakes

Jeff Nahill’s Pimlico opinions for Saturday, Oct. 3 (Races 6-11)

SIXTH RACE: 1. Somelikeithotbrown, 2. Factor This, 3. Hembree. LONG SHOT: Irish Strait.


SEVENTH RACE: 1. Admiral Lynch, 2. Landeskog, 3. Stan the Man. LONG SHOT: Eastern Bay.


EIGHTH RACE: 1. Wootton Asset, 2. Nautilus, 3. Hidden Enemy. LONG SHOT: Catman.


NINTH RACE: 1. Don Juan Kitten, 2. Reconvene, 3. Chocolate Bar. LONG SHOT: Monday Morning QB.

10TH RACE: 1. Miss Marissa, 2. Bonny South, 3. So Darn Hot. LONG SHOT: Hopeful Growth.

11TH RACE (GRADE I Preakness): 1. Art Collector, 2. Authentic, 3. Thousand Words, 4. Swiss Skydiver. LONG SHOT: Pnuematic.It looked like ART COLLECTOR was coming up to a big race in the Kentucky Derby until he was shelved by a minor foot injury. I think the son of Bernardini sits off the pace of AUTHENTIC and pounces at head of the lane. AUTHENTIC was impressive in winning the Derby, but I am surprised trainer Bob Baffert is running here with no Triple Crown on the line. I thought he would wait for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. I still believe THOUSAND WORDS has a big race in him despite flipping  in the paddock before the Derby. SWISS SKYDIVER is the filly angle and Pneumatic is the “wise guy” horse so you won’t close to that 20-1 morning line.


Good luck. Stay safe.

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Horse racing, Pimlico, Preakness Stakes, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Saturday, May 19 (Plus Preakness)

Preview: Isn’t 12 races overkill in Arcadia? Of course, not as bad as 14 at Pimlico. Really?

FIRST RACE: 1. Red Livy, 2. Giant Mongolian, 3. Girl Downstairs. LONG SHOT: Lori’s Attitude.

SECOND RACE: 1. Carnivorous, 2. Takahiro’s Dream, 3. Luck’s Royal Flush. LONG SHOT: Takeo Squared.

THIRD RACE: 1. Catfish Hunter, 2. Insubordination, 3. Two Hail Marys. LONG SHOT: Polity.

FOURTH RACE: 1. California Breeze, 2. Brandon’s Law, 3. Fluorescent. LONG SHOT: Conformation.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Oh Scatty Oh, 2. Trap Queen, 3. Myrcella. LONG SHOT: Majestic Diva.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Catalina Cruiser, 2. Best Two Minutes, 3. Tony Blackjack. LONG SHOT: Fast Munny.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Rumpus Cat, 2. Jimmy Chila, 3. Littlebitamedal. LONG SHOT: Facts Matter.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Kochees, 2. Ketos, 3. Eighty Three. LONG SHOT: Burn Me Twice.

NINTH RACE: 1. Cheekaboo, 2. Cordality, 3. Moonless Sky. LONG SHOT: Desert Steel.

10TH RACE: 1. North County Guy, 2. Nova, 3. Bless His Heart. LONG SHOT: Poise to Strike.

11TH RACE: 1. Swayze, 2. Ike Walker, Sheer Flettery. LONG SHOT: Two Thirty Five.

12TH RACE: 1. Crown the Kitten, 2. Ky. Colonel, 3. Secreto Primero. LONG SHOT: Bourbon Soul.

Preakness Stakes

1. Good Magic, 2. Justify, 3. Lone Sailor, 4. Quip. LONG SHOT: Bravazo.
There is no doubt the Pimlico surface will have some water in it. The track has been a quagmire all week and although the rain is suppose to let up early today, it will be wet. Good Magic and Justify have proven they can handle that. Justify is 1-2 on the morning-line and it’s justified, but watch Good Magic’s Kentucky Derby again. He loomed up and made it a race. I think he can turn the tables. Lone Sailor had a troubled Derby as did Bravazo. Quip skipped the Derby because he has the same owners as Justify. He’s got some talent and will be a decent price.

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

Top choice winners: 4 (Fool’s Paradise $6, second race; Tough It Out $7, fifth; Explorer $5.40, sixth; Popular Kid $9.40, seventh)

Second choice winners: 4 (Beautiful Becca $6.40, first; G Q Covergirl $4.60, third; Broome $3.20, fourth; Winning Element $4.80, eighth)

Third choice winners: 0

Long shot winners: 0

Good luck.

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Horse racing, Pimlico

Pimlico Race Course for Saturday, May 20 (Preakness Stakes Day)

Preview: If you watched the races on Friday you know it rained midway through the card making the main track sloppy and turf course good. Check the conditions today. I think the main track will end up fast, but the grass will have some give in it.

PIMLICO RACE COURSE RACE 13: (Grade I Preakness): 1. #10 Conquest Mo Money (15-1), 2. #5 Classic Empire (3-1), 3. #4 Always Dreaming (4-5), 4. #9 Lookin At Lee (10-1). Long shot: #3 Hence (20-1).
I’m bucking a whole lot of history here as the Preakness winner usually comes from those who ran in the Kentucky Derby, like the last four mention horses above. Here’s the deal: Conquest Mo Money is coming in fresh, off a second-place finish in the Arkansas Derby to Classic Empire and he has speed. No doubt Derby winner Always Dreaming will go for the lead but so will Conquest Mo Money. Classic Empire is the “wise guy” horse as he had all kinds of trouble in the Derby. Conquest lost by a half-length to Classic Empire. I think he can be prominent again.

RACE 5 (The Very One): 1. #1 Elusive Joni (12-1), 2. #5 Pretty Perfection (4-1), 3. #2 Everything Lovely (9-2). LONG SHOT: #11 Most Beautiful (12-1).
RACE 7 (Chick Lang): 1. #9 Bobby Abu Dhabi (15-1), 2. #4 Liar’s Dice (12-1), 3. #7 Recruiting Ready (8-5). LONG SHOT: Theory.
RACE 8 (James W. Murphy): 1. #10 Adonis Creed (8-1), 2. #2 Total Tap (12-1), 3. #6 Yoshida (3-1). LONG SHOT: #13 Chubby Star (20-1).
RACE 9 (Grade III Maryland Sprint): 1. #6 Holy Boss (8-1), 2. #5 Whitmore (9-5), 3. #4 A. P. Indian (8-5). LONG SHOT: #9 Awesome Banner (20-1).
RACE 10 (Grade III Gallorette): 1. #3 Danilovna (6-1), 2. #10 Cambodia (8-1), 3. #7 Elysea’s World (5-2). LONG SHOT: ##2 Zipessa (9-2).
RACE 11 (Sir Barton): 1. #2 Hedge Fund (9-5), 2. #6 Watch Me Whip (12-1), 3. #7 True Timber (8-1). LONG SHOT: #5 No Mo Dough (12-1).
RACE 12 (Grade II Dixie): 1. #8 Catapult (10-1), 2. #7 Blacktype (4-1), 3. #10 Ring Weekend (4-1). LONG SHOT: #5 One Mean Man (20-1).

Good luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Pimlico

Pimlico Race Course stakes opinions for Friday, May 19

RACE 5 (Grade III Dupont Distaff): 1. #2 She’s a Warrior (12-1), 2. #1 Power of Snunner (8-1), 3. 3. #4 Terra Promessa (6-5). LONG SHOT: #5 Winter (15-1).
Lookie here first stakes race and a SoCal shipper in She’s a Warrior. She chased Songbird last year, was give a break and ran great in her comeback. Gary Stevens isn’t going to travel for the heck or it and neither is trainer Peter Eurton. Power of Snunner has jockey Mike Smith.’Nuff said.

RACE 7 (Grade III Pimlico Special): 1. #6 Shaman Ghost (4-5), 2. #10 Fellowship, 3. #Noble Bird (8-1). LONG SHOT: #1 Dolphus (8-1).

RACE 8 (The Hilltop): 1. #5 Compelled (3-1), 2. #1 Dance Queen (8-1), 3. #3 Victory to Victory (5-2). LONG SHOT: #6 My Sweet Stella (15-1).

RACE 9 (Grade III Miss Preakness): 1. #4 Crabcakes (12-1), 2. #2 My Miss Chiff (15-1), 3. #3 Stormy Embrace (20-1). LONG SHOT: #6 Vertical Oak (10-1).

RACE 10 (Jim McKay Turf Sprint): 1. #10 Richard’s Boy (4-1), 2. #4 Pay Any Price, 3. #2 Amelia’s Wild Ride (6-1). LONG SHOT: #14 Platnium Prince (12-1).
Trainer Peter Miller ships East and puts speed jockey Paco Lopez aboard. Look for a wire job.

RACE 11 (Grade Ii Black-Eyed Susan): 1. #2 Tapa Tapa Tapa (8-1), 2. #5 Lights of Medina (8-1), 3. #3 Dancing Rags (8-1). LONG SHOT: #6 Corporate Queen (15-1).
The highlight of the day as the 3-year-old fillies with the track. Not sure why Union Strike from the Mick Ruis barn isn’t here, but that’s life. Tapa Tapa Tapa won at Tampa and finished fourth at Oaklawn Park.Might be ready for big effort.

RACE 13 (Skipat): 1. #1 Lovable Lady (10-1), 2. #5 Chanteline (7-2), 3. #9 Clipthecouponannie (9-5). LONG SHOT: #3 Absatootly (12-1).

Good luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Pimlico

Pimlico Race Course opinions for Saturday, May 21

There are no secrets to my picks for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, #westisbest.
Even thought it’s suppose to rain most of the day at Pimlico Race Course, I don’t see any reason why Nyquist won’t win the race and go to New York looking to give the sport a second straight Triple Crown.
Nyquist has just proven to be able to do what he wants on the track and the thing I keep coming back to is the fact that he doesn’t want to be passed once he gets in front.
Exaggerator has yet to get by him and I don’t see it on Saturday, but he looks like the second-best 3-year-old in the country.
Adding to the intrigued in this one will be the addition of Uncle Lino, who finished to Exaggerator in the mud at the Santa Anita Derby. I don’t think he is as good as Nyquist, but he will have to go from the No. 2 post and he has natural speed.
I look for a West Coast trifecta in this race. Rain or shine.

EIGHTH RACE
1. Lady Shipman, 2. Joya Real, 3. Exaggerated. Long shot: Miss Matzoball.

NINTH RACE
1. Counterforce, 2. Justin Squared, 3. Quijote. Long shot: Discreet Angel.

10TH RACE
1. Mizz Money, 2. Heath, 3. Tiger Ride. Long shot: Flying Tipat.

11TH RACE
1. Dazzling Gem, 2. American Freedom, 3. Gettysburg. Long shot: Moon King.

12TH RACE
1. Takeover Target, 2. Grand Arch, 3. Take the Stand. Long shot: Prince Gagarin.

13TH RACE: Preakness Stakes
1. Nyquist, 2. Exaggerator, 3., Uncle Lino. Long shot: Fellowship.

Good luck.

Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Pimlico

Pimlico Race Course opinions for Friday, May 20

Preview: The rain isn’t suppose to hit Baltimore until tomorrow so hopefully its fast and firm today at Pimlico. Here’s a look at the stakes races, beginning with the seventh race.

SEVENTH RACE
1. Noble Bird, 2. Page McLenney, 3. Hesinfront. Long shot: Savoy Stomp.

EIGHTH RACE
1. Expected Ruler, 2. Rocket Heat, 3. Ben’s Cat. Long shot: Rapid Dan.

NINTH RACE
1. Theogony, 2. Super Majesty, 3. Mei Ling. Long shot: Tiger Ride.

10TH RACE
1. Thundering Sky, 2. Spinamiss, 3. Miss Katie Mae. Long shot: Morethanjusthello.

11TH RACE: The Black-Eyed Susan
1. She’s a Warrior, 2. Land Over Sea, 3. Go Maggie Go. Long shot: Midnight On Oconee.
Yes, SHE’S A WARRIOR is still a maiden, but trainer Peter Eurton isn’t one to ship a horse around just for the heck of it. Eurton is 25% with shippers. This daughter of Majestic Warrior has run third to Songbird in two of her last three races and she seemed to enjoy the mud while finishing third in the Santa Anita Oaks. She has the fourth best Brisnet Late Pace Rating and jockey Gary Stevens keeps the mount. LAND OVER SEA and GO MAGGIE GO are the class in the race coming out of the Kentucky Oaks. MIDNIGHT ON OCONEE is from the always dangerous trainer Larry Jones barn.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Gulfstream Park West, Horse racing

Gulfstream Park West opinions for Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20-21

Gulfstream Park West for Friday, Nov. 20

Race 4: #2 Duffle Bag (5-1) 

This 2-year-old showed speed in his debut at Pimlico and now drops into a maiden claimer for the first time and tries turf. Trainer Dane Kobiskie is 22% with horses trying grass for the first time.

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Race 9:  #1 Karlyrae’swarrior (5-1)

Trainer Robert Dibona claimed this 3-year-old out of a race at Keeneland, which has produced two winners from the first three horses to run back. Dibona is 20% going sprint to route and 38% with horses in the allowance ranks.

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Gulfstream Park West for Saturday, Nov. 21

Race 7: #4 Little Caton (7-2)

This 2-year-old ran like a horse that needs Lasix as she showed speed and faded in her debut. Trainer Carlo Vaccarezza, who has won 5 of his last 10 starters, does add Lasix in this spot and drops her in class.

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Race 8:  #10 Media Kid (8-1)

Trainer Joe Sharp has shipped to South Florida this year and he wins wherever he goes. This gelding gets some class relief on the drop from racing in New York. The gelding is 2-for-3 at this distance and good turf rider Tyler Gaffalione gets aboard. I would protect myself with the 7-5 favorite, Treasury Devil, trained by Jorge Navarro with an exacta box.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Pimlico, Triple Crown

Pimlico Race Course opinions for Saturday, May 16

The Pimlico is here and I’m not going to try to re-invent the wheel. I still think the West Coast horses are the best so here are my picks:

#8 Firing Line (4-1)

#1 American Pharoah (4-5)

#2 Dortmund (7-2)

#5 Tale of Verve (30-1)

Comment: I’m sticking with Firing Line and hope jockey Gary Stevens can get him to switch leads down the lane this time.

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Here are some other races on the card:

Race 1: #7 Mafia Muscle Man (turf only) (6-1)

Trainer Larry Rivelli is based in Chicago, yet he picks this spot for this 2-year-old to make his debut. He also owns the colt and the sire Lewis Michael is 15% with first-time turfers. Rivelli is 27% with first-timers and gets Javier Casellano to ride. Play an exacta box with #8 FINNEGAN (6-5), who is supposed to be trainer Wesley Ward’s next big Ascot thing.

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Race 3: #10 Chiropractor (7-2)

Trainer Tom Proctor is going to have a barn on the East Coast based near Pimlico and starts this Kitten’s Joy first-timer on the turf, where the sire is 17% first-time turf. One of Proctor’s West Coast jockeys, Drayden Van Dyke, rides, but they have been cold lately.

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Race 6: #2 Hooligan (4-1)

Trainer Wesley Ward is almost an automatic play in a 5-furlong turf sprint and here he gets jockey John Velazquez aboard (22% together).

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Race 9: #1 Bocaouva (8-1), #8 Watsdachances (6-1), #9 Token of Love (5-1).

One of the toughest races on the card, BOCAOUVA had a ton of trouble in her last race and drawing the No. 1 hole here is no bargain. Will use all three in all vertical bets.

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Race 10: #7 Gimme Da Lute (3-1)

Trainer Bob Baffert is an amazing 39% with horses going sprint-route-sprint and that’s what this 3-year-old does after finishing third to Competitive Edge in the Pat Day Mile on Derby Day.

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Race 12: #10 Manchurian High (turf only) (15-1)

Jockey Gary Stevens doesn’t need to ride every race so he must have gotten a good story on this gelding to ride for little-known trainer Lilli Kurtinecz. The 7-year-old has won twice over this Pimlico turf course and will be charging down the lane. He also comes out of a key race with three next out winners. This is one of tougher races on the card so go for a price.

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Horse racing, Pimlico

Pimlico Race Course opinions for Friday, May 15

Race 2: #7 Samantha Nicole (3-1)

Just broke maiden at Keeneland and might score right back. Trainer Kirian McLaughlin is 33% third off the layoff.

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Race 6: #7 Holiday Camp (fast track only) (5-1)

Tough to ready explain this 3-year-olds last race other than he might not have liked the wet track because Bob Baffert horses are usually ready to go off the layoff. Jockey Victor Espinoza jumps on and is 6-for-9 in the last 60 days for Baffert .

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Race 8: Windy Forcast (10-1)

Lost to the ultra-tough Avenge going down the hill last time. Trainer Simon Callaghan returns her to the dirt, where she has her only career victory so she might surprise with Gary Stevens aboard.

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Race 9: #1 Grateful Nation (turf only) (15-1)

Tough not like this gelding at this price with jockey Javier Castellano aboard. The 5-year-old has faced many of these before and held his own. Just finished third off a long layoff and has never been off the board over with course in five tries (1-2-2).  Watch out for DREAMSGONEWILD, who comes out of a race that has produced five winners.

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Race 10: #10 Yahilwa (9-2)

Once this mare got away from the top fillies on the West Coast she aired in the Sixty Sails at Hawthorne. She faces tougher here but she could go back-to-back. Victor Espinoza rides for trainer Jim Cassidy.

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Race 11 (Black-Eyed Susan): 1. Ahh Chocolate, 2. Include Betty, 3. Luminance, 4. Keen Pauline. LONG SHOT: Pure.

This is a wide-open race for the 3-year-old fillies. LUMINANCE is the likely favorite for Bob Baffert, but I’m hesitant to pick her after Baffert’s poor effort Derby weekend sans American Pharoah, plus Stellar Wind didn’t run well in the Kentucky Oaks, which is whom Luminance finished behind last time.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita selections for Friday, May 16

FIRST RACE: 1. Sir Awesome, 2. Smooven Square, 3. Kristi’s Copilot. LONG SHOT: Yahootee.

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SECOND RACE: 1.Omega Star, 2. Declassify, 3. Seeking the Sherif. LONG SHOT: Holy Lute.

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THIRD RACE: 1. Two Is to Many, 2. Dress Code, 3. Prime Issue. LONG SHOT: Teaks North.

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FOURTH RACE: 1. Plaza de Indias (best bet), 2. Among the Stars, 3. Redressthebalnce. LONG SHOT: Love Tale.

This mare PLAZA DE INDIAS hasn’t been seen since last October, but trainer Peter Miller is 26% with layoffs of more than 180 days and his barn has been heating up in recent days. The 6-year-old also comes out of a key race, which has produced four winners, and jockey Joe Talamo jumps aboard.

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FIFTH RACE: 1. Gracie Ragazza, 2. Not a Love Song, 3. Ryderroo. LONG SHOT: My Sweet Afleet.

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SIXTH RACE: 1. Carbonite, 2. Muchos Besos, 3. Half Dome Dude. LONG SHOT: Senator Bob.

This old boy CARBONITE (8 years old) returns to his claimed level ($10,000) and re-unites with jockey Edwin Maldonado. The pair lost by a nose at this level two races back. He has been first or second three times out of four at this distance (6½ furlongs) in his long career. Trainer Robertino Diodoro is very good with lower-level horses.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Luz Atticus, 2. My Slew, 3. Boozer. LONG SHOT: Three Vases.

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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Getaway Keys, 2. Italian Harmony, 3. Rich in Tradition. LONG SHOT: Doheny.

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BONUS PICK

Race 12 – Pimlico: #2 Cat Burglar (4-1)

Make no mistake about it: this 4-year-old is taking a big step up in his graded stakes debut for trainer Bob Baffert but he has shown good talent on the West Coast. He doesn’t need the lead and sit just behind the leaders to pounce in the stretch. It helps Baffert and jockey Rosie Napravnik are a 53% combination.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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