Daily Racing Form handicappers David Aragona and Mike Beer preview the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md.
The $300,000 Black-Eyed Susan, shifted from Pimlico with the Preakness Stakes moving to Laurel this year, drew 10 fillies and goes off at 6:14 p.m. Eastern. Aragona and Beer split on top, and both fade morning-line favorite No. 7 Jumping the Gun at 3-1. They agree on two horses underneath.
Aragona’s top pick: No. 6 Haute Diva
No. 6 Haute Diva disappointed in two Kentucky Oaks preps at Gulfstream, finishing fifth in the Davona Dale and seventh in the Gulfstream Park Oaks. Aragona forgives the last one. He notes she veered out at the start and raced five wide while wearing what looked like a hood with goggles attached, equipment she has not worn in recent works.
“I imagine they’re coming off here. So maybe that’s going to turn her form around,” Aragona says.
Beer agrees on the Gulfstream Park Oaks pass. Aragona is taking the price: She gets class relief and could “slip through the cracks.”
Beer’s top pick: No. 9 A. P.’s Girl
No. 9 A. P.’s Girl, trained by Peter Eurton, was runner-up in the Weber City Miss at Laurel, the local prep that produced four runners back in this race. Beer thought she was the horse to take out of it.
“The trip ultimately worked out, but I still feel like she might have taken the worst of it,” he says.
Irad Ortiz Jr. takes over, and Beer is watching the tote: “I’m concerned that she’s going to get bet down off the morning line.”
The shared second pick: No. 3 Holly’s Holiday
Both handicappers land on No. 3 Holly’s Holiday underneath. The Kenny McPeek-trained filly was a non-factor as a 2-year-old, then returned at Oaklawn Park to win her maiden in a dead heat and upset the Valley of the Vapors Stakes last out. Flavien Prat takes the mount.
“When you watch her run, she gives you the vibe that more ground is going to work for her,” Aragona says.
The handicappers’ verdict
Aragona’s picks
No. 6 Haute Diva
No. 3 Holly’s Holiday
No. 10 My Miss Mo
Beer’s picks
No. 9 A. P.’s Girl
No. 3 Holly’s Holiday
No. 10 My Miss Mo
For more from David and Mike, check out this video preview:
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