Turf races the key to Pimlico's $7,551 Pick 5 carryover

There’s a $7,551 Late Pick 5 carryover up for grabs at Pimlico on Sunday, but hitting the 50-cent wager won’t be easy.

Rain forced Saturday’s turf races to be transferred to the main track, and it’s unclear whether Sunday’s grass events will follow suit or remain on the turf. As a result, we’ll have to wait until race-day changes are available before constructing a ticket.

But in the meantime, let’s take a race-by-race look at the sequence, just to get a feel for how it might unfold:

Race 4: $25,000 Allowance Optional Claiming (five furlongs on turf)

Three-time stakes winner #5 Completed Pass (3-5) will be a deserving favorite and a possible single if this race stays on the turf. Otherwise, the main-track only entrant #1 Hard Belle (3-1) might be the most logical choice after winning or placing multiple times over this class level for high-percentage trainer Andrew Simoff.

Race 5: $16,000 Maiden Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs)

#4 Cranston’s Network (2-1) never fired in a $25,000 maiden claimer racing 1 1/16 miles over the Pimlico turf course last month. But he’d previously finished second twice in $16,000 maiden claiming dirt sprints over this track, stamping the son of Orb as a deserving favorite. #7 Rippolino (7-2), dropping down from maiden special weight to maiden claiming company for the first time, looks like the most likely challenger.

Race 6: Allowance (five furlongs on turf)

A dozen runners have passed the entry box, including two also-eligibles and one main track only runner. It’s an eclectic group, and separating out the key contenders is difficult, especially without knowing whether the race will take place on turf or dirt. #1 Fast Lani (9-5) hasn’t missed the exacta in three grass starts this season, but her form on dirt isn’t as convincing. In contrast, #5 Behind the Couch (7-2) has run well over both surfaces and should be a factor under any circumstances.

Race 7: $62,500 Allowance Optional Claiming (six furlongs)

This competitive sprint for three-year-olds has drawn a small but tricky field. #1 Sibelius (5-2) and #3 Kenny Had a Notion (4-1) own the best Brisnet Speed ratings, but they’ve been running well below par in recent starts. Perhaps we can beat them with either #2 Everett’s Song (9-5), who races for ultra-hot trainer Dale Bennett, or #5 Cash Comes First (6-1), who won a $32,000 allowance optional claimer over this track and distance last month.

Race 8: $25,000 Maiden Claiming (one mile on turf)

The finale is a tough turf test difficult to handicap without seeing race-day changes. If the race is transferred to dirt, then the main track only entrant #2 Kinda Lucky (9-5)—runner-up in a $25,000 maiden optional claimer at Delaware Park last month—looms as an appealing choice with her abundant tactical speed and strong Brisnet Speed ratings. But if the race stays on turf, hitting the “ALL” button may be necessary to find the winner.

Good luck!