PIMLICO Race 10 (Post time: 4:14 ET)
There is a ton of value to be found in this year's edition of the Grade 3 Pimlico Special. (8) TENFOLD might wind up being the post time favorite, if for no other reason then his current form and his strong connections. Coming off a poor effort on a sloppy track in the Oaklawn Handicap last time out, he returns to what should be a fast track this afternoon, appears to have some speed at which to work into and has shown an affinity for the course, which is more than can be said for many of his rivals. Looking at his past performance lines when compared with several of his rivals, it can be argued he has a bit of a class advantage. The rider/trainer tandem of Ricardo Santana and Steve Asmussen hits at a strong 23 percent and the son of Curlin appears to have bounced back well since the effort last out. (9) UNBRIDLED JUAN was compromised by a wide trip from an outside post in the Charles Town Classic last time out. Prior to that effort, the Jose Corrales trainee was no worse than fourth in his last nine starts. He has tactical speed and has shown he can handle this course. (6) CORDMAKER has won three of his last four starts for trainer Rodney Jenkins and would definitely be an even stronger candidate if the track came up wet. There's little reason to think the added distance will work against him. (13) YOU'RE TO BLAME is in the best form of his career right now, but will need to come up with some kind of trip from his outside post. The morning line favorite hails from one of the nation's top barns and appears to be sitting on a big effort in his second start this year.
The Plays: WIN BET (8) TENFOLD, exotics with 6,9, and 13
PIMLICO Race 11 (Post time 4:48 ET)
(8) POINT OF HONOR looks to reclaim her spot in the winners circle after tasting defeat for the first time in her career last out for trainer George Weaver. The daughter of Curlin flattened out in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks when she didn't rally over a speed favoring course on March 30. There appears to be more than enough pace in this spot to enhance her tracking style. (4) COOKIE DOUGH exits the same race as the top choice and had no real excuse when finishing third for trainer Stanley Gold. She gets the benefit of a huge rider change and her new pilot Irad Ortiz may opt to let some of the other speed types battle it out in front of her in a pace-pressing trip. (6) ALWAYS SHOPPING ships in from New York and is looking for her third straight win. (7) BRILL is still eligible for NW/2 but has flashed enough ability to warrant a look at the exotics.
The Plays: Single (8) POINT OF HONOR in all exotics