Tabbing First Captain for Pimlico Special success

A big field of 11 will go 1 3/16 miles on the Pimlico main course in Friday’s $300,000 Pimlico Special S. (G3). The cast seems to be top-heavy, and I will focus on two of the major players, led by #8 First Captain (5-1).

Trained by Shug McGaughey, the four-year-old son of Curlin reeled off wins in three consecutive events to start his career as a sophomore, led by a tally in the Dwyer S. (G3), prior to checking in third in the Curlin S. at Saratoga to conclude his three-year-old campaign.

The chestnut was a game allowance victor in his 2022 bow at Gulfstream Park prior to retreating in the lane in the Carter H. (G1) in his most recent assignment.

Purchased for $1.5 million as a yearling, First Captain will be equipped with blinkers for the initial time and has been training in fine fashion as of late, with bullet morning drills in his last trio of breezes. The well-bred colt lands in a field without an abundance of pace, and I expect him to be forwardly placed from the start while making just his second two-turn attempt. Luis Saez will be in the stirrups.

I have liked the progression made by #1 Vindictive (2-1) throughout his career for Todd Pletcher. The bay son of Uncle Mo was an excellent third behind two very good horses in the Discovery S. two back to cap 2021, and he returned with a stout allowance victory over a muddy surface at Aqueduct in his seasonal debut in March.

Vindictive has done his best work in his four two-turn tries to date, and the added ground combined with a cozy rail post should aid the colt in his second run of the season. Irad Ortiz will ride.

For the lower rungs of the exotics, I will dabble with #3 Untreated (7-2), multiple Group 1 star #6 Capocostello (8-1), and #10 Mischief Afoot (12-1).

Pimlico Special Wagers

• $4 trifecta 8 with 1 with all ($36)
• $2 trifecta 8 with all with 1 ($18)
• $2 trifecta 1 with 8 with all ($18)
• $1 superfecta 1, 8 with 1, 8 with 3, 6, 10 with 3, 6, 10 ($12)