Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Complete Agenda drops into appropriate spot

Aqueduct | Race 4 | Post Time 2:51 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

I’m not trying to beat COMPLETE AGENDA (#1), who just appears to have found the right field as he drops back down in class. I won’t fault him for losing to Curbstone the last time he was in for a tag back in December, as that rival returned to win again with a 113 TimeformUS Speed Figure. Complete Agenda subsequently beat a better field of starter allowance foes going this distance, making a sustained run from far back. Linda Rice then attempted to wheel him back in 7 days against a tougher field of open N1X rivals. The pace didn’t work out as well, as the race was dominated on the front end. Furthermore, he didn’t get a particularly savvy ride from apprentice Maddy Olver, as he got steadied leaving the backstretch when attempting to launch a rally before going wide on the turn. He’s better than that, and is now dropping down into a realistic spot. There isn’t a ton of pace signed on here, but horses like Irish Exit and Fromanothamutha figure to show some initiative early.

The likely favorite’s main rival appears to be Doctor Love (#2). He was beaten by Complete Agenda in that Jan. 7 race, but ran nearly as well in defeat after contesting an honest pace. That was a pretty game effort, but I didn’t think he ran as well in his next start. He got a favorable pace setup in that Jan. 20 race but failed to capitalize, unable to sustain a rally in the late stages. He was perhaps negatively affected by staying inside in a race that featured an outside flow. He does get a rider upgrade to Manny Franco, and feels like the horse with the best chance of causing a minor upset.

THE PLAY

WIN: #1 Complete Agenda, at 1-1 or greater