Pimlico Special Preview: Stanford Stands Out

Likely Winners

#2 Stanford – Lets face it his is not the greatest running of the Pimlico Special.  We do get the one-two finishers of the Charles Town Classic in this race, but not much else.  Stanford seems to be the most logical choice here as he just looks to be much faster than most of these on paper, and he beat his main challenger easily last time out.  Also from a pace standpoint I believe he is likely to get a similar trip as last time out when he wired the field.  Not going to get fancy with this race as I just believe he and Page McKenney are better than the rest of these unless Noble Bird decides to show up with a decent effort.

#1 Page McKenney – You have to love Page McKenney as he’s as honest as they come…especially in the Mid-Atlantic area.  Last time out he chased Stanford home in the Charles Town Classic, and he actually might do the exact same thing today.  Breaking from the rail perhaps they could also change tactics with him and try to get the jump on Stanford and take this field wire to wire.  Could see it happening because he does have some natural speed, although I still don’t think he could hold off Stanford in the end.  He’s still in this thing with a big shot as he’s proven his worth over the last couple of years.

Exotic Plays

#4 Golden Glint – With this race you are just looking for that bomb that can hit the board as there is not a lot to choose from at all.  There is a significant gap between the top two in the race and everyone else.  I chose to put Golden Glint in this spot based solely on his race last time out.  If he runs back to that race he has a shot to get up for second or third at a big price.

Party Crashers

#7 Noble Bird – Will he run like his old self again?  After having a solid 2015 season Noble Bird is searching for answers in 2016.  He’s ran three times this year with only one of those three races resembling his true talent.  Last time out in the Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs he ran erratically and was rank most of the race as he finished last.  Can he rebound today off short rest?  Who knows…can’t figure out what to make of him.

Throw Outs

#3 Savoy Stomp – Always hard to throw out a Todd Pletcher runner, but he just doesn’t look to match up well with these.  Will have to improve dramatically.

#6 Hesinfront – Got back on track and ran a nice race last time out, but he did finish behind Savoy Stomp two races back so I’m not sure he’s any match for the top two I have in this race.  Not impossible if he can run back to last time though.

#5 Idolo Porteno – Who knows what the plan is for this horse.  Ran decent enough in the Razorback at Oaklawn Park, but that race has come back weak.  Ran bad on the turf at Keeneland last time…I’m not sure what to make of him.

#8 Warrioroftheroses – Completely over matched and hasn’t ran well in awhile.  This would be a huge upset.

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