Manny Franco rallied up the rail in race 7 at Pimlico Saturday to win the 1 1/16-mile Dixie on Fire Away. Javier Castellano pressed the pace in race 11 before taking control of the five-furlong The Very One on Girls Know Best.
Both riders offered their perspective on how the sloppy Pimlico track is playing, which may come in useful when handicapping the Preakness Stakes.
Although some riders are staying away from the inner part of the track, Franco thinks it is fine.
“The inside is fair today, I think, from watching the earlier races,” he said. “I stayed where I was and saved ground.”
Castellano said the sloppy track may favor horses who are close to the pace.
“I think the track is playing speed, or leaning to speed a little bit,” Castellano said. “In the earlier races, I saw speed holding on pretty good.
“I think one of the keys is if you have a fast horse, you have to use it, you have to put him into the game.”
Castellano rides Diamond King in the Preakness. Franco will not be riding in the race.