Goodonehoney a must-use in Black-Eyed Susan Pick 4

When it comes to 3-year-old horses, bettors tend to attach themselves to familiar names. Because of this, rising stars sometimes become overlaid when stepping up.

In the Grade 2, $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on Friday at Pimlico, this might become true when two different fillies from the questionable Gazelle Stakes (G2) make their next start. It appears both Midnight Disguise and Sara Street are flawed runners.

Midnight Disguise is a popular filly who has never started at higher than 3-1 in six races. She started off her career at Aqueduct by winning a state-bred maiden claimer and starter allowance before finishing second in a state-bred stakes race.

She reeled off two more wins in open company at the same racetrack but finally threw in a clunker in the Gazelle, where she failed to make her usual late rally and she finished fourth by 13 lengths. Given her 2-1 odds, it was disappointing.

In most instances, a horse who loses by 13 lengths in the most recent start will be given a break on the tote board. But this is a popular filly with the services of Irad Ortiz Jr. for Friday’s race at Pimlico. While she can win, in all likelihood she will be over-bet.

As for Sara Street, she led for most of the Gazelle before getting tangled in a dogfight with My Miss Lilly and Virginia Key in the stretch run. She valiently held second.

One start earlier, Sara Street also finished second after contesting slow fractions in the Busher Stakes. Midnight Disguise picked up the victory from behind, and My Miss Lilly finished third with some trouble in the stretch. Sara Street earned a slow 99 TimeformUS Speed Figure for the race, and 88 on Brisnet.

While Sara Street earned a higher 113 TimeformUS Speed Figure and 88 using Brisnet Speed Rating for the Gazelle run, it is hard to trust her to duplicate those numbers. My Miss Lilly ended up flopping in the Kentucky Oaks when she finished 11th.

Granted this is a weaker field, but an alternative choice is appropriate here.

Goodonehoney, who showed impressive speed en route to a seven-length Weber City Miss Stakes win at Laurel Park last time out, can post a win in this spot.

She earned a 92 Brisnet Speed Rating and 109 TimeformUS Speed Figure, which both fit nicely with this field if the Gazelle number is eliminated.

With only two lifetime starts, there is room to grow, and her early speed should prove useful despite TimeformUS suggesting a fast pace.

The other speed in this race is not the blazing kind. Sara Street will pressure her from the outside, but she is not the kind of horse to go all out. Longshot C. S. Incharge will show speed too, but she does not need the lead.

For those searching for value, the unknown connections of Goodonehoney will work in their favor. Trainer Jason Egan is not a household name in racing. Jockey Steve Hamilton hits at a 13 percent clip out of 205 starts and is relatively unknown outside his circuit. Perhaps if Goodonehoney wins, racing fans will learn their names.

C. S. Incharge deserves a look too because of the Jan. 3 win at Gulfstream Park over a sloppy track. As of this moment, it is scheduled to rain heavily in the Baltimore area on Friday.

Although C. S. Incharge folded in the Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland and lost by 21 lengths, at least at 15-1 bettors get a break because of the poor race and somewhat slow speed figures (she has failed to break 100 on TimeformUS).

Also, Red Ruby won over a sloppy track at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 10. She went on to a disappointing fourth-place effort in the Honeybee Stakes (G3) at less than even money. After watching the replay, there was no real excuse for the misfire.

Perhaps the wet surface will wake her up though, or at least give a slight edge. 

Indy Union might be useful underneath in trifecta combinations, as she closed decently enough late against Goodonehoney in the Weber City Miss. She ran oddly, losing significant ground on the far turn, before rallying in the stretch again for second.

It is possible she will move forward in her second start off the bench. At 10-1 with well-known rider Jose Ortiz aboard, it is worth giving this filly serious thought.

A lot of attention will go toward Coach Rocks, too, but why? She lost by 13 lengths in the Kentucky Oaks after winning a slow Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2). Her eight-length winning margin three starts ago looks good, but a track bias aided her.

To be fair, TimeformUS gave a 111 for the Kentucky Oaks seventh-place effort. If she wins, it will not come as a huge surprise. However, she is a play-against type.

Goodonehoney just needs a good break and one more step forward to take the Black-Eyed Susan on Friday. This might be a rising star in the 3-year-old filly scene.

Pimlico Special and Jim McKay Turf Sprint

There are two Pick 4s on tap for Friday, with one starting in Race 8 carrying a $300,000 guaranteed pool. 

In Race 9, bettors might consider two alternatives to Irish War Cry and One Liner in the Pimlico Special (G3), two races before the Black-Eyed Susan.

Rated R Superstar and Something Awesome are two solid closers who will get pace in which to run. The former ran a super impressive race at Keeneland when mowing down a loose-on-the-lead Chip Leader in the Ben Ali Stakes (G3), while the latter upset War Story in the Charles Town Classic (G2) and sits on a three-race win streak. Perhaps the favorites can even be eliminated from tickets in favor of Rater R Superstar and Something Awesome because of the projected and likely accurate fast pace.

As for the Jim McKay Turf Sprint one race later, handicapping it is a mess because of the expected rain. On paper, Rocket Heat will lead comfortably and holds the highest last-race speed figure on TimeformUS and Brisnet. Oak Bluffs, Hogy, Triple Burner and Dubini are logical alternatives. For a longshot, try the cutting-back Unbridled Daddy.

For those who believe in singles, Goodonehoney is not the worst idea to anchor this Pick 4, but consider C. S. Incharge, Red Ruby, Midnight Disguise and Sara Street with her as well.