View From the Grandstand Black-Eyed Susan Picks

By Bob Hill, TSV staff writer —-

Twelve fillies have been entered for the G2 Black-Eyed Susan this Friday at Pimlico Race Track. The weather forecast is calling for temperatures in the low 70s and it appears that the racing surface will be dry. Here’s a look at his the field.

1 – Sacred Wish — Weaver/ Velazquez – 10-1: Lightly raced filly whose trainer always has them ready to fire on the big stage. She was beaten two lengths in the G2 Gulfstream Oaks last month with a strong finish. She is one to play in all of the vertical slots underneath your win choice. Solid.

2 – Pate – Maker/Barbosa – 20-1: Only one race around two turns resulting in a sixth place finish in the G3 Fantasy. She’s been solid sprinting, but unless she shows something we’ve not seen yet she is overmatched here. Not a play for me.

3 – Hoosier Philly – Amoss/Morales – 10-1: Was terrific as an undefeated two-year-old. However, she has not resembled that horse this year in two distant finishes. She has been working well, so if you like her you have to bet that the change of track surfaces will wake her up. I will use her in the underneath slots.

4 – Merlazza – Cox/Geroux: — 6-1: Has won three races in a row for one of the top conditioners. At 6-1, she is the second choice on the morning line. If the big favorite is vulnerable, this gal will be the choice of handicappers trying for the upset. Legitimate contender for me.

5 – Frosty O Toole – Pletcher/Rosario – 15-1: Exits the G2 Gazelle having finished sixth in that race at short odds. That race was her first in the Pletcher barn. Rumors persist that he is going to scratch her in favor of an upcoming race in NY. She’s not on my list.

6 – Miracle – Pletcher/I.Ortiz – 10-1: If you draw a line through the poor performance in the Gulfstream Park Oaks, the rest of the racing record for this NY-bred filly looks solid. At ML odds of 10-1 I would take a shot with her if Pletcher does not scratch her.

7 – Comparative – Cox/Saez – 12-1: Another Cox trainee, this daughter of Street Sense has won her last two races. This looks like a step up on class for her, and consequently I like the other Cox filly more than this one.

8 – Balpool – Atras/Franco – 8-1: She’s won two straight at Aqueduct at the flat mile distance with mid-80s Beyer figures. She is the third choice on the ML at 8-1. Not sure what she’s faced. Could use only on my longest tickets in the bottom spots.

9 – Faiza – Baffert/Prat – 7-5: Undefeated in five lifetime starts, all on the West Coast. Speed figures are solid but not overwhelming. I wonder about what she’s faced. I like the story of a Baffert win on the East Coast, but I’d caution against getting carried away with one that may be good but not great. Deserving favorite is not unbeatable.

10 – Taxed – Morse/Bejarano – 15-1: Way more pieces than wins at the top Midwest circuits. She lost three times to the Kentucky Oaks favorite Wet Paint. Could get a small piece, but is an unlikely win candidate.

11 – Cats Inthe Timber – Russell/Toledo – 30-1: Local runner with speed figures many lengths shy of the best in this mediocre field. Hard to get on board.

12 – Towhead – Maker/Gaffalione – 20-1: Most seasoned filly in the field making her eleventh lifetime start. In her most recent start she was beaten by more than 11 lengths in the G3 Fantasy at Oaklawn Park. She should relish the distance at might be one worth putting at the bottom of exotic plays.

Picks: 9-6-4/3-1/10-12-8