Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: A Bit O’Irish Sass stretches back out to right distance

Aqueduct | Race 8 | Post Time 5:01 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

#6 Khali Magic makes plenty of sense as she tries to break through at this N2X level in her third attempt. She checked in third two back, and was second last time, so a win seems well within the realm of possibility. She also appears to be in the best form of her career, having responded well to the stretch-out in distance in her recent starts. Her recent speed figures in the low 100s on the TimeformUS scale are slightly higher than those of her main rivals.

I'll try to beat the favorite with #3 A Bit O’Irish Sass. This filly got a good prep under her belt last time when sprinting at this level in her first start back off a six-month layoff. She only managed to finish eighth, but she subtly ran better than that result would indicate. She launched a mild bid on the far turn and only lost momentum when she encountered traffic in upper stretch. She’s much better going route distances, and she’ll be a major player here if she can get back to the form that saw her win the New York Oaks last year.

Beyond those two, I suppose #7 Ifihadachance could pick up a minor award, but I don’t see a reason why she is supposed to turn the tables on Khali Magic after losing to that one last time.

The one bigger price that I might try to get into the exotics is #1 Shadolamo. She didn't run that badly behind a few of these common foes at the level two back, and last time was just going too short in the Videogenic. Her form has been on a subtle upward trajectory.

THE PLAY

WIN: #3 A Bit O'Irish Sass, at 5-2 or greater

USE: 1,6,7