Pimlico Picks: Black-Eyed Susan Day All-Stakes Pick 6 on May 20

Pimlico Race Course has a complicated history, but somehow it is still in operation. Known as the "Home of the Preakness," it will only be running for a short time in May. Watch and wager while it lasts ... The Black-Eyed Susan Day on Friday is upon us, and it promises to have a strong All-Stakes Pick 6 in races 8 through 13.

The "featured" race for fillies has a full-field, and our turfwriter J.N. Campbell thinks that it has the potential to be the best betting opportunity of the whole weekend. With Preakness Day on Saturday, this is Pimlico's moment to shine. But first, we have a slate of 14-races on the docket. Here we go horseplayers ...

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action! It is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned! If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Friday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter ... Horseracing_USA !!!

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BLACK-EYED SUSAN DAY, .20 RAINBOW ALL-STAKES PICK 6 …

LEG 1: (Race 8: Dirt, 1 1/8th, Allaire DuPont Distaff S. (G3), $150k, F&M 3+)

It doesn’t get much cheaper than a 20-cent bet on the racetrack … the Rainbow 6 on Black-Eyed Susan Day is here! The opening leg brings together a compact field of older females, and it is clear that Norm Casse’s Super Quick #4 is going to take money due to her class rating. An alum of the Doubledogdare S. (G3) at Keeneland (she was 3rd behind Malathaat and Bonny South), she ran impressively last year for Marylou Whitney Stables. I already know that I am against her because I see a runner in here that looks like she is sitting on a big race. If you haven’t kept up with Johnny Ortiz, then you are in need of a wake-up call. Based in Hot Springs, the conditioner had a strong meet at Oaklawn, and Lil Kings Princess #5 was 2/4. She won an ALLW CO. route, and then followed that up with a score at the OC62.5kn2x level. That shows a strong improvement, and her last race was no slouch against the Atras-trained Maracuja. It is time for her stakes debut, and this is the perfect spot. Ortiz goes with another Ortiz to ride … Irad. That is a superb jock change from the likes of Cristian Torres and Rey Gutierrez. With frontrunning power, she has the ability to get to the lead and hold it. Kicking off this sequence … we are going bold with a “Single.”

Selections: 5 (Single)

LEG 2: (Race 9: Turf, 1 Mile, Hilltop S., $100k, 3F)

The grass course at Pimlico got a rest on Thursday when the track decided to take racing off-the-turf. In this spot, going 1 Mile, it is pretty obvious that “beating” celeb chef, Bobby Flay, is going to be pretty difficult. Christophe Clement wanted to get Flay’s BC Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner, Pizza Bianca #4, one more race before she ships to Ascot for the Royal Meeting in June. Even though she was bested by Consumer Spending last time in the Memories of Silver $100k at Aqueduct, one could argue that was just a “freshening.” I think she has the ability to dominate this group, and should win rather easily. I do not see anyone with her class level, or with her routing ability. You don’t even think about shipping to England if you are not ready. This is probably the easiest pick of the day … it certainly gets tougher from here.

Selections: 4 (Single)

LEG 3: (Race 10: Dirt, 6F, Miss Preakness S. (G3), $150k, 3F)

Over the years, we have seen a wide variety of prices hit the Ms. P … Out of these 8 fillies that are assembled, they are all going to be wary of Sean McCarthy’s new charge, Under the Stars #2. Well-bred and owned by as powerful a group of folks in the Thoroughbred biz (Magnier/Tabor), this daughter of Noble Mission (GB) was in-training with Bob Baffert, and then Tim Yakteen. She transferred to her new digs in early April after she was 4th the in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2). Based on her M/L of 8/5, it looks as though she could be the race-time favorite with Flavien Prat in the irons. He knows this filly quite well, after riding her in both the Santa Ynez (G2) and Santa Ysabel (G3). I like her, but I think I am going to leave her out. Instead, I am much more interested in a couple of 3-yr-olds that are drawn to her outside. Both Lady Scarlet #3 for Mike Maker, and Brittany Russell’s La Casa d’Oro #4, are going to be overlooked … that is a mistake. The former is a shipper with strong experience. A filly by Union Rags, Maker sent her to Oaklawn (where she won an OC80kn1x), and then to Aqueduct (where she won Cicada S. $100k). Though she was off-the-board in the Beaumont S. (G3), that was still valuable experience against a solid field. The addition of Irad Ortiz makes her really dangerous, and I am hoping that she is ready to fire at a distance that she can clearly handle. As the Russell phenom, this Dialed In filly broke her maiden over at Laurel in late April, and she did so with a smoking speed fig. Jevian Toldeo is riding really well right now, and this one owned by the Elkstone Group is going to try and leap her way into the mix. That was a MSW55k that she was in, so I think it is safe to say that she will be underestimated. Russell is a tough Maryland-based trainer, and I like her ability very much. Let’s stick with 2-deep in this race, and if we hit this one, it is sure to be a great price!

Selections: 3/4 (2-Deep)

LEG 4: (Race 11: Turf, 5F, The Very One S., $100k, F&M 3+)

The back half of this P6 run through is going to be quite a fete on the green. These turf sprints can be gratifying if you can get a winner, or incredibly frustrating because so many scenarios can unfold. When it comes to this field, I am willing to go 3-deep because I cannot say that I have a strong opinion. I certainly like the look of Christophe Clement’s Honey Pants #2. By Cairo Prince, she has excellent back class, and will get the services of Irad Ortiz. She is the type that can sit off-the-pace, and then make a strong move into the stretch when it counts the most. If she wins, I will not be surprised whatsoever. Coming off an OC score at Gulfstream Park speaks to her recency. Just-in-case she cannot get the job done, I also like the form of both Jane Cibelli’s Payntdembluesaway #10, and Brittany Russell’s Adelaide Miss #12. They both have “Non-G” experience, plus it comes from places like Belmont, the Fair Grounds, and the 2 Florida tracks. If either can set the pace, and control the fractions, then maybe one of them can visit the winner’s circle when this race is all said and done. Now, it is time to get real …

Selections: 2/10/12 (3-deep)

LEG 5: (Race 12: Dirt, 1 3/16ths, Pimlico Special S. (G3), $300k, 3+)

How about Mineshaft? Invasor (ARG)? Revolutionary? Commissioner? Tenfold? Or Harpers First Ride? All were victors in this spot … With 11 going in this race, it looks like it will be a challenge to nab a winner; luckily, I have some very strong opines on this subject. Let’s include both of the Todd Pletcher entries, since Vindictive #1 (ridden by Irad Ortiz), and Untreated #3 (ridden by Joel Rosario) looked ready to fire. The former is laddering up from an OC62.5kn2x at Aqueduct back on 25 March, while the latter was nailed at the wire against Forewarned #5 in the Excelsior S. $150k at “The Big A.” That Uriah St. Lewis runner came back in late April in the Native Diver S. $100k at Laurel, and severely missed. I am leaving the son of Flat Out off my ticket. Instead, I really am jazzed to see Jimmy Toner show-up with his well-bred gelding by Into Mischief—Mischief Afoot #10. After missing the board in the Challenger S. (G3) at Tampa, his conditioner brought him up to Keeneland, and he bounced back nicely against Mystic Night in an OC80kn3x event. That was a solid 2nd for the connections, and the fig he posted was more than respectable. If he can use some of that stalking ability in here, then it could give jockey Jose Ortiz the opportunity to spring an upset against the Pletcher uncoupled entry. This one did have a win over the PIM surface last May at this time. What a price he is going to be! It is time to head to the finale!

Selections: 1/3/10 (3-Deep)

LEG 6: (Race 13: Dirt, 1 1/8th, Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2), $250k, 3F)

It is time for the big one … This year’s Black-Eyed Susan S., a G2 on the MT, came up as tough as ever! The fillies look strong in this spot, and if you can “Single” here, then you are a better person than me Gunga Din! That doesn’t mean that I do not have a top choice though … and that honor could go to Chad Brown’s Distinctlypossible #7. With Bradley Thoroughbreds in the house, and bred by John Oxley, I think this daughter of Curlin is ready to take a step forward. She was sure impressive last time out at Keeneland in one of those salty MSW100k races. Irad Ortiz took the favorite home that afternoon, and she bested Miss Yearwood #3, who is also drawn-in here for Ian Wilkes. Actually, I like her better. Mind you, I will use both of these entries because that looks like one of those springboard-type of races. In my race preview from earlier in the week, I bashed Ms. Y #3, but sometimes you need a couple days to look at things differently. Go watch that 1¼ MSW contest that she came back and won at Churchill … it was excellent (top pick). As far as others to include on a ticket like this one, I certainly like the look of Brad Cox’s Interstatedaydream #9. Don’t forget that she was up against Pletcher’s Nest in the G1 Ashland S. that afternoon in April, and that was no easy task. With Florent Geroux back aboard, I think she will get overlooked on the tote. Her Classic Empire bloodline should not be missed. Rounding out what is just a superb betting race, I like the form of Midnight Stroll #4 for John Terranova, Graham Motion’s Candy Light #8, Sean McCarthy’s new charge, Adare Manor #10, and finally, Todd Pletcher’s Favor #12. The 1st pair I mentioned are excellent long shots that most bettors will toss. Tampa and Laurel races get overlooked, and that is a travesty. As far as the other pair, I just couldn’t leave them out because honestly, they are just downright scary. Either could go 1-2, or end up competing for dead last. The Black-Eyed Susan is going to be one of my favorite wager and watch events of the weekend, and now you see why … Let’s get some winners, horseplayers … huzzah from Baltimore!

Selections: 3/4/7/8/9/10/12 (7-Deep)

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Ticket: 5 / 4 / 3-4 / 2-10-12 / 1-3-10 /  3-4-7-8-9-10-12

.20 RAINBOW ALL-STAKES P6 TICKET COST: $25.20

It’s Black-Eyed Susan Day on Friday! Should be a great set of races from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter … Horseracing_USA !!!