Holland's North American Picks for June 2

Tim Holland brings handicapping picks from Lone Star Park, Fort Erie and Mountaineer.

by Tim Holland

Lone Star Park

Race 1

Trainer Asmussen wins with 18% of his first-time starters and saddles #6 Fearless Bling (9-2), who has a good win-early pedigree being by 16% debut sire Too Much Bling and out of a mare by Forest Wildcat, whose offspring win 13% of their first outings. Below average-looking works are fairly typical for Asmussen, who has won with 26% of his runners this meet and who wins with 21% overall in maiden special weight events. Gray is a half-brother to five winners and is likely ready for a good first outing under Elliott, who has won with 19% of his rides for the barn in the last two months.

Race 4

Another newcomer from the Asmussen barn is #3 American Dream (4-1), who is by excellent young sire American Pharoah and who is a half-sister to Dancing Solo, winner of the Boiling Springs (G3). 3-year-old has been working well for Asmussen, who wins with 17% of his starters on grass. Filly can win at first asking with Elliott in the saddle.

Race 8

#10 Praetorian (9-2) was claimed by Karl Broberg when second at this distance on dirt at Oaklawn in his latest early last month. Son of Tiznow finished second in one of three previous tries on grass and Broberg wins with 26% of his runners first time off the claim. Gelding can be forwardly placed from the start under Cabrera, riding for a barn that has been winning with 31% of runners at this meet.

Fort Erie Racing

Race 7

Blinkers are put back on #5 Anniversary Rose (3-1), who has not been seen since weakening to finish sixth after vying for the early lead at Mahoning Valley in February. Chestnut has won three of seven career starts on regular dirt and makes her first outing for trainer Sullivan, who wins with 32% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days. Mare figures to be the one to catch with Newell riding.

Mountaineer

Race 1

Allowance event over 7 furlongs on grass includes #4 Mutashabeh (5-2), who has not been seen since finishing third on the main track in October. Trainer Sipp wins with just 6% of runners that have not raced for 90+ days, but gelding has posted four recent bullet works. Son of Medaglia d’Oro won his one previous start on grass and can be in good position throughout with Serrano aboard.

Race 4

#8 Inaweofnooneatall (9-2) debuts for trainer Eric Reed, who wins with 19% of his runners overall in maiden special weight events. Reed wins with a slightly low 7% of his first-time starters but daughter of Lemon Drop Kid has been working well and is a half-sister to Bel Air Beauty, who won the Alcibiades (G2). 3-year-old can be near the front throughout with Serrano in the irons.

Race 6

Trainer Clouston wins with 19% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days and saddles #8 Southern Blood (3-1), who has not been seen since fading to finish unplaced after leading early over the track and distance in November. Son of speedy sire Informed has hit the board in three of six starts here and Clouston wins with 19% of his claimers. Chestnut figures to be sent early and tough to catch with Parker riding.