Peck: Late pick five for Black-Eyed Susan card
Rain has changed the complexion of several races, but there's value to be had in Pimlico's $300,000-guaranteed late pick five. I'll play the "A" ticket twice and use all "A's" with one "B" configuration for a total of $75.
RACE 7: HAPPY LIKE A FOOL chased a quick pace but held well in her first start off the layoff; should fall into a nice stalking trip. ARTISTIC DIVA has been working very well toward her seasonal bow. LEZENDARY has to be used given her solid recent figures. ALMOND ROCA gets back on the main track, which is her preferred surface. GOOD MOVE was an open-lengths winner in each of her first two starts.
A's: 1, 6, 8
B's: 3, 9
C's: NONE
RACE 8: Off the turf, and that helped JUMP JIVE AN WAIL and ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, who have run decent races on the main track. Also using ROYAL CRUSADER, a good second in the slop three back.
A's: 4, 5
B's: 13
C's: NONE
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RACE 9: RATED R SUPERSTAR impressed in the Ben Ali and should have the race flow in his favor today. DISCREET LOVER and SOMETHING AWESOME exit the Charles Town Classic; the latter was more than 12 lengths better than the former that day, but Discreet Lover has back figures that give him credibility.
A's: 3
B's: 4, 8
C's: NONE
RACE 10: ROCKET HEAT appears to be the main speed in the Jim McKay Turf Sprint, which is oddly short on pace; could prove tough to catch. VICI might get first run at the pacesetter. FIELD OF COVERAGE handles an off course. IMPRIMIS is undefeated in three starts, all turf sprints.
A's: 1, 5
B's: 2, 3
C's: NONE
RACE 11: RED RUBY was against the race flow, which favored front runners, in the Honeybee, the first time she finished off the board. But she made a nice midrace run there before flattening out, and she's a threat to rebound in the Black-Eyed Susan. SARA STREET was under pressure from the start in the Gazelle and battled gamely to the wire. GOOD ONE HONEY gets tested for class here off a blowout win against locals in her latest.
A's: 4, 9
B's: 7
C's: NONE
