Pimlico Hot List - May 15, 2021

Today’s Pimlico Hot List fullcard selections
Saturday, May 15, 2021
Preakness Day

By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman

Hot List Key:
 A: A preferred horse to watch  B: Secondary horse to watch
*C: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 1st through 3rd 
*D: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 4^th or worst
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

1^st race – (5) Romp seeks a third straight and should appreciate the two-turn distance. (4) Hozier flopped for Baffert in a Grade 1 stakes but is the one to fear here. (3) Market Cap picks up Rosario for his 2021 debut and should be watched.

2^nd race – (10) Oceans Map had a troubled trip at Gulfstream and can handle these off a similar try. (7) Operative could put in a big effort in his first start for new connections. (5) Tapwood exits a dull try in a stakes but fits better here. (12) Daddy’s Cozy is working well for his 2021 debut.

3^rd race - (4) Jaxon Traveler could lead from start to finish against this field. (2) Mighty Mischief comes off two easy wins for Asmussen and should provide the most competition. (3) Hemp is in great form and cannot be overlooked.

4^th race – (2) Liraz makes her first start for a new barn and seems poised for a solid try. (13) Deciding Vote fits very well here but has a tough post. (6) Judi Blue Eyes returns quickly from a win over the course and will be in the mix once again. (8) Glamorous Thunder will welcome a return to turf.

5^th race – (7) Sugar Daddy had a rough trip last time but can make amends here. (6) Baptize the Boy should pose a big threat in the final furlong. (2) Breaking News couldn’t overcome traffic issues in his last start but should work out a good trip here. (10) Abuelo Paps was disqualified last time but can atone here.

6^h race – The Gallorette Stakes (G3) - (5) Mean Mary has the kind of speed that made her a frontrunner in the Breeders’ Cup. She should not look back in a small field here. (6) Feel Glorious has tuned in two good efforts this year and seems primed for another one. (3) Flighty Lady won her US debut and could be another good one for Chad.

7^th race – (10) Mischief Afoot won sharply last time and can make it two in a row here. (5) McElmore Avenue has been freshened since February and will be tough here. (3) Shane’s Jewel won easily on a wet track but can also handle a dry track. (9) Hanalei’s Houdini missed by a neck and will be in the picture once again.

8^th race – (2) Outadore returns to turf for Ward and seems best in this spot. (3) Kasim might appreciate the stretchout to two turns. (7) Charles Chrome has thrived on turf and may shine here. (8) T D Dance comes off a Fair Grounds win and deserves consideration.

9^th race - (8) French Empire has won four in a row and can make it five in her first start for Cox. (2) Casual has a good closing kick and would appreciate a fast pace. (1) Club Car was a powerful Keeneland winner and belongs in the exotics. (5) Chub Wagon has Irad and cannot be dismissed.

10^th race – (4) The Critical Way has been razor sharp lately and earns the nod in a competitive field. (5) Hollis should be quite competitive back on turf. (13) Completed Pass might score a touchdown from the outside post after winning a stakes earlier in the meet. (11) Firecrow is worth a look while switching to turf.

11^th race – The Maryland Sprint Match Series (G3) - (7) Breezy Gust has keen early speed and appears to be another talented shipper from Parx. (1) Laki likes this track and will be dangerous from the rail. (8) Special Reserve will be formidable if he can duplicate his last try at Keeneland. (5) Strike Power turned in a nice effort in graded stakes company and can make his presence felt here.

12^th race – The Dinner Party (G2) - (5) Sacred Life has been tangling with Grade 1 foes and may have too much class for this field. (8) Bye Bye Melvin will be charging late and should pose the biggest problem in the final yards. (3) Kuramata has won his two US starts and may have a bright future. (6) Talk Or Listen was hurt by a wide trip last time but should make noise here.

13^th race – The Preakness Stakes (G1) - (4) Crowded Trade should be able to sit just behind what figures to be a fast pace with Concert Tour, Medina Spirit and Midnight Bourbon in the mix. He’s relatively inexperienced but a sharp second in the Gotham illustrates the kind of talent that can propel him to victory here. (10) Concert Tour looks to be fastest of the fast in this race and should be in front turning for home. The big concern is that the Arkansas Derby may have showed that today’s distance may be a tad long for him. (3) Medina Spirit won the Kentucky Derby on the front end then flunked a drug test that has engulfed him and trainer Bob Baffert in controversy. Baffert is a master at returning horses on two weeks rest but if he gets outrun for the lead by his stablemate, Concert Tour, he may not be as courageous as he was in the Kentucky Derby. (2) Keepmeinmind rallied wide in the Kentucky Derby and may finally be rounding into the good form he enjoyed at two. At the odds, he deserves inclusion in the exotics.

14^th race – (10) Paddys Day A won this race last year and should make it back-to-back wins. (8) Rb Rich Lyke Me A  won by 22 lengths two starts ago then finished second to the top pick. Can complete the exacta again. (3) Uptown Sandy Girl A has some speed and might hang around until the end. (12) Quick Sand Aa A was no match for the top two last time but can rebound here.