Five Pick 4 options are available on the huge Saturday card at Pimlico, and I will take aim at the early one in hopes of padding my bankroll prior to the day's feature events. And while the sequence might not yield the most lucrative return of all time, I feel it’s very playable at a reasonable price. 

Race 2 Wager

• 50-cent Pick 4: 1,7,9,11 with 1,3 with 5,6,7 with 5,7 ($24)

Race 2 – Allowance

A one-mile turf test for fillies and mares attracted a fairly big field to commence the wager. I acknowledge that #9 Drop the Hammer (2-1) is the one to beat in the first leg in her second try since arriving in the Graham Motion barn, but I don’t feel that she is a sure thing. The Gun Runner is a must-use, but others have some appeal to me, too.

In addition to the favorite, I will also include #1 Be Inspired (12-1), who is kin to a pair of turf graduates, as well as Brendan Walsh’s #7 Swan House (7-2) and recent maiden heroine #11 Betula (9-2). 

Race 3 – Maiden Special Weight

The 1 1/16-mile test for sophomores on the dirt is the second leg of the sequence, and I’ll go two-deep with the pair of morning-line choices. Bob Baffert’s #3 Varney (6-5) has faced some good ones this campaign and will appreciate the measure of class relief in this offering. The $775,000 yearling purchase looms large in his second run off the bench with Flavien Prat taking the reins. 

Todd Pletcher’s #1 Last Man Standing (3-2) had a poor trip while finishing sixth in a strong field at Keeneland in his second career performance and will improve from the rail on Saturday. The late runner will have Irad in the irons. 

Race 4 – Maryland Sprint S. (G3)

#6 Booth (7-5) didn’t run his absolute best race when taking the Count Fleet (G3) at Oaklawn Park most recently, but the Steve Asmussen pupil exuded his substantial class en route to victory, nonetheless. The streaking son of Mitole will be the one to catch and beat with Erik Asmussen in the controls. 

#7 Epic Ride (5-1) gets an ideal post draw outside of the other pace in the field and could sit a dream voyage under Flavien Prat. Blame four-year-old from the Ennis shedrow tired late after chasing a really good one in the Commonwealth S. (G2) at Keeneland most recently and will be in a much better position at the top of the lane on Saturday. I don’t love that #5 Concrete Glory (2-1) is inside of two speedy horses with Irad in the silks, but he still has to be included while in razor-sharp form for conditioner Saffie Joseph. 

Race 5 – Allowance

Fillies and mares will jaunt five-eighths on the lawn in the final leg of the sequence. I tend to shy away from three-year-olds facing their elders at this time of the season and have landed on a pair of ‘older’ late runners in the affair to close things out. Joe Sharp’s #5 Parola Sicura (7-2) needed her last off the long absence and will be fitter for his heat. The Yoshida four-year-old will receive a better voyage on Saturday with Luis Saez on board. 

#7 Wise and Elegant (12-1) is not a huge fan of the winners’ circle at this stage of her development, but the Hard Spun mare possesses a nice turn of foot and could surprise in her seasonal bow beneath Forest Boyce.  

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