by Frank Carulli
May 9, 2024
Fillies and mares will be in the spotlight on the second day of Pimlico’s Preakness Meet this Friday, May 10. The 50-cent Late Pick 4 encompasses a 6F starter allowance, 5F maiden claimer on the turf and a pair of 1-1/16-mile dirt routes. Here’s a closer look:
PIM 6th race (3:10 p.m. EST) -- BRZINA, content to track the 11-1 loose leader at 7F, found two gears in the final quarter mile to remain sharp and win in her second start off the Ness claim. Like her more on the cutback to a short sprint as today’s solo play. [If BRZINA is scratched, use STOP THE CAP (#8), who beat two next-out winners in a repeat victory at one mile on a sloppy track. She was fractious in the gate and no factor last out, but can score again at a big price with ample pace flow in front of her.]
PIM 7th race (3:43 p.m. EST) -- DESTINATION looks best on paper but, like most of her rivals, is unproven on turf. QUALITY WEEKEND earned the top grass speed figure in the field when she debuted late in her 4-year-old season. PRINCESS LUCIA, the lone first-time starter, is out of the dam Debbie’s Diamond, whose siblings are 13-67 on the lawn. Go seven deep in Leg B. [Add INTEL AGENT (#15) to the ticket if she draws into the race.]
PIM 8th race (4:16 p.m. EST) -- Three lengths separated the 2-3-4 finishers coming out of the same race and COVER THE SPREAD, the 5-2 second favorite off a nine-month layoff that day, wasn’t among them. Throw in the new shooters who can win today’s featured allowance and it translates to an ‘ALL’ punch in the Pick 4.
PIM 9th race (4:49 p.m. EST) -- OH MRS. MAISEL’S seasonal debut at one mile was better than it appears. She was pressed on the lead after a half mile and tired in a higher-tagged claiming race. The pace-pressing winner, Graceful Rose (16/2-3-4, $122k), came back to finish second at Aqueduct in a $50,000 starter allowance. Charles Town invader OREO ANGEL is a longshot to consider if the addition of blinkers helps her poor starting habits in her first start for a claiming tag.
Suggested 50-Cent Ticket
PIM 6th Race: 1
PIM 7th Race: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, (AE-15)
PIM 8th Race: ALL
PIM 9th Race: 4, 7
Cost for 50-cent ticket: $49