Scully: Black-Eyed Susan Day plays at Pimlico

Here are some thoughts of Friday’s Black-Eyed Susan Day program at Pimlico.

Pimlico Special, 9^th race

The first of two graded stakes races Friday, the Pimlico Special (G3) features a number of horses who like to race on or close to the front end. The pace probably won’t be hot but looks contested and I’m tabbing a late runner to prove best.

#3 Rated R Superstar transformed into a two-turn specialist at age 5 for Kenny McPeek and the improving gelding exits a sharp tally in the 1 1/8-mile Ben Ali (G3) at Keeneland, netting a 101 BRIS Speed and 123 Late Pace ratings for the two-length decision. He won over a sloppy track earlier this season and both wins this year came behind modest but contested paces. I’m expecting a similar scenario today that benefits Rated R Superstar and Javier Castellano sticks with the in-form closer.

#7 Afleet Willy and #8 Something Awesome are going good presently (1^st and 2^nd in BRIS Prime Power) and could be a little overlooked due to the presence of runners from the shedrows of Todd Plether and Graham Motion. I will use both as back-ups in a Pick 3 wager.

Jim McKay Turf Sprint, 10^th race

The 5-furlong affair remains on yielding turf and scratches have reduced the field to six. #1 Rocket Heat may prove impossible to run down on front end against a less-than-stellar group of rivals. #3 Imprimis and #4 Oak Bluffs exit wins at Gulfstream Park and both look capable if the inside speed falters.

Black-Eyed Susan, 11^th race

Three-year-old fillies are in the spotlight in the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) and #4 Red Ruby will take some beating if ready to go off the layoff. The Tiznow filly showed her affinity for a sloppy track posting a convincing win in the Martha Washington two back but was forced to miss the Fantasy (G3) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) after missing some training time due a minor physical setback. She appears to be training forwardly for her return, drilling a 6-furlong move recently at Keeneland, and the Kellyn Gorder trainee adds an aggressive rider in Paco Lopez. Red Ruby rates top billing from just off the pace

#6 C.S. Incharge is much less-fancied than favored stablemate Coach Rocks, who has never raced under wet conditions and exits a disappointing clunker in the Kentucky Oaks, but C.S. Incharge likes a sloppy track and looks capable of receiving a favorable trip on the front end with Julien Leparoux. She appears likely to favor the added ground and looms as an intriguing upset candidate. #9 Sara Street was caught between horses but gamely fought to the wire when recording a close second in the Gazelle (G2) last out. The lightly-raced daughter of Street Sense still appears to have plenty of upside for Kiaran McLaughlin and Sara Street draws favorably on the outside. Her dam loved a sloppy track, posting a sharp Grade 3 score in her lone attempt, and Sara Street appears capable of running a strong race on the front end.

Pick 3 Tickets

Rated R Superstar will be my key single in the Pick 3 and Rocket Heat fills the same role for a smaller denomination.

$5 Pick 3: 3 with 1,3,4 with 4,6,9 ($45)

$2 Pick 3: 3,7,8 with 1 with 4,6,9 ($18)

Good luck!