The Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan might not get the same publicity as the Preakness Stakes, but Friday's main event at Pimlico might be a better gambling affair.
The race at Pimlico Racecourse in the USA is Race 13 on the card and will be run at 23.44 SA time on Friday evening.
The race will be shown live on RACING 240
With a full field of fillies lined up, we sort the contenders from the pretenders by ranking this competitive group from first to last.
1. No. 9 Faiza, 7-5. Although it is true that she has not faced the best competition, this filly has gotten better in every race. She appeared to simply run as good as she needed to get the job done in her first few races but has learned to find another gear in her last couple of starts. She could not have been more visually impressive in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) than she was. She has the tactical speed to sit a good trip and looks to be a true star in a field filled with solid, but unspectacular runners.
2. No. 4 Merlazza, 6-1. She is undefeated in three starts since removing blinkers and should appreciate the added distance. Her win at Oaklawn last out is better than it appears as she kicked it in powerfully late after not having a clean trip behind a lone speed runner. Brad Cox appears to have his filly primed for another big effort.
3. No. 10 Taxed, 15-1. This filly had humble beginnings after being claimed for $50,000 in November, but she has progressed into a nice runner for Randy Morse. She ran a pair good seconds to Kentucky Oaks favorite Wet Paint in the Martha Washington and Fantasy Stakes (G3) and had a valid excuse for a poor effort in the Honeybee (G3) when making a middle move from post 12 over a sloppy track. It is important to note that blinkers were removed for the Fantasy, which resulted in her best effort to date. She has worked very well leading up to this race and could surprise at a big price.
4. No. 1 Sacred Wish, 10-1. She ran well while encountering a wide trip in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) in only her third career start and first start for George Weaver. She will need to improve off of that effort, but it would not be surprising to see her do just that with John Velazquez taking the mount.
5. No. 7 Comparative, 12-1: It took her a long time to figure things out, but the lightbulb looks like it has gone on after a pair of victories in a row. She might be a step below the best of her crop, but she is improving at the right time and it is hard to ignore any horse involving Brad Cox and Luis Saez.
6. No. 2 Pate, 20-1. She ran flat in the Fantasy Stakes, which might be proof that she can not handle two turns. At 20-1, however, one cannot fault those who want to give her one more chance. Her sprint form is very solid, including defeating multiple stakes winner Key of Life when running second in the Dixie Bell Stakes.
7 No. 8 Balpool, 8-1. As the likely second or third choice, I am taking a stand against this filly. She has looked good winning one-turn miles at Aqueduct against fields of four and five horses. The added distance and competition could be a problem, and there are other contenders at higher odds that intrigue more.
8. No. 3 Hoosier Philly, 10-1. She would have been 6-5 in this race in November after a stellar 2-year-old season, but her 3-year campaign has not been pretty. She was not a factor in either effort at Fair Grounds and is tough to endorse until she proves she has progressed.
9. No. 12 Towhead 20-1. The 83 Beyer Speed Figure she earned in her allowance score in February at Oaklawn is the only figure she has run in 10 starts that would make her competitive. That happened to be her only start with Lasix. With no Lasix and a tough post on Friday, she is a tough horse to use.
10. No. 11 Cats Inthe Timber, 30-1. The local contender is coming off of a stakes win at Laurel Park, but the waters get much deeper in here. She would be a major surprise.
Neither Miracle nor Frosty O Toole were ranked because Todd Pletcher has stated that he expects to scratch both fillies to point for alternative spots in New York. - www.horsenation.com