Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Closer Still can rebound with a clean trip in the Christiecat Stakes

Belmont Park | Race 8 | Post Time 5:18 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs

Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up now

The likely favorite is Miz Mayhem (#2), who is shooting for a sixth consecutive win as she makes her first start for the Jason Servis barn. She obviously must be used, but this race is far too competitive to accept a short price on a favorite.

No fewer than six entrants return out of the Coronation Cup, a race that featured many rough trips and an interesting pace situation. Broadway Run (#3) was the winner that day, but she had many things break in her favor. Some of the likely speeds did not contest the pace, allowing her to set fairly moderate fractions on the front end. The race turned into a sprint to the wire as few horses changed position in the last eighth of a mile. She’s an honest filly who is in good form, but I prefer a few of those who finished behind her.

Tesora (#4) was hindered by the pace dynamics of the Coronation Cup, as she was one of the only fillies who made any kind of late impact. The Pace Projector is predicting a fast pace, which should aid her chances. I’m using her, but I’m most interested in the filly who had the roughest trip out of that common race.

CLOSER STILL (#1) broke from the rail and was shuffled to the back of the pack in the first furlong. From there, a chain reaction of riders taking up in front of her forced Julien Leparoux to sharply pull back on the reins and lose an iron as the field headed into the far turn. She briefly lost contact with the field as her rider corrected himself, seemingly losing all chance. Considering that trouble, it’s remarkable that she was able to pass half the filed in the stretch in getting up for fifth. According to Trakus, she ran the fastest final quarter (22.86 seconds) of anyone in that race. Her prior form is somewhat spotty, but she clearly has ability, as she showed in her second-place finish to Thewayiam at Gulfstream in January. The Mark Casse barn is due for some luck coming off a frustrating Saratoga meet.

THE PLAY

Win: 1

Exacta Key Box: 1 with 2,3,4

Trifecta: 1,2 with 1,2 with 3,4,8,10

Trifecta: 1,2 with 3,4,8,10 with 1,2