Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: American Hustle gets back to preferred surface
Belmont | Race 9 | Post Time 5:12 p.m. (ET)
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Distance is a key factor in this 11-furlong maiden event that closes out the card, as most of the runners in this field are stretching out to a marathon trip for the first time. Typhoon Lagoon (#6), one of the few 4-year-olds in the lineup, is the only runner to have previously tried the distance. I could use him in exotics, but some others appear to have more upside.
Likely favorite Cyber Ninja (#5) earned a solid speed figure on dirt in his career debut, but visually appeared to show more of an affinity for turf when he switched surfaces in his second start. He was put in tight quarters and got shuffled back on the first turn, racing keenly in a bunched field. Despite being relegated to the back of the pack behind a slow pace, he produced the best finish of all to just miss getting up. He seems like one that’s cut out to run all day based on his physicality and pedigree, so the stretch-out makes sense. He figures to be a handful if he shows up with his best effort.
My top pick is one of the Christophe Clement trainees. American Hustle (#8) has raced on dirt in his last couple of starts, but I think he’s going to appreciate switching back to grass. He handled dirt reasonably well last November, and showed some real stamina to stay on for third in that demanding nine furlong affair. That performances gives me some confidence that he’ll appreciate this longer distance on turf. His turf performances as a two-year-old got progressively stronger with each start. He stayed on well when picking up the pieces last September, and then finished a deceptively strong fourth in a very live maiden race in October. He wouldn’t have to improve much on those 100 TimeformUS Speed Figures to factor here, and he should be capable of better now that he’s a 3-year-old.
I also want to use first time turfer Juan Valdez (#4). This expensive auction purchase has been a disappointment, but I think he’s going to appreciate the surface switch. He’s moves like a turf horse and does have enough influences in his pedigree. He’s only sprinted on dirt so far, but I think longer distances will suit him much better. He’s taken money in prior starts, but should finally be a more generous price.