PIMLICO
RACE 14
NO. 11 MAP ROOM: First time starter for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer had been working hard heading into his debut going down the hill. A storm came and the race was taken off the grass. Showed some good early speed and ran a much better than looked third while stuck ins
SANTA ANITA
RACE 2
NO. 3 BOOMPA: Was coming off a layoff for Mike Puype but had a top workout. He made a big five-wide run on the turn but the winner got away from him. Kept to his task to finish a clear second and will be tough to beat at this level next time out.
RACE 7
NO. 1 PAIASOLO: Was last seen running at Del Mar back in August of 2015. Papa Mandella in search of grass sent him to Golden Gate for his comeback race. He was well placed but then had to wait behind horses from the quarter pole into the stretch. Once clear he stormed to the front to win going away.
RACE 9
NO. 5 CHERUBIM: Ran last race as a first-time gelding and finished a good second behind the even money winner despite lacking room. Had to check off heels into the stretch, Gets the win next out.
Richard Saber, a former director of race and sports at the famed Stardust book, is GT’s horse racing and sports handicapper. Twitter: @SabesBet. Email: [email protected]