Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Easy Shot is first off claim for dangerous barn

Belmont | Race 2 | Post Time 1:33 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

I have no major argument against #4 Chris and Dave, other than the fact he’s likely to be a short price and is fairly obvious. Rob Atras is a decent 5 for 21 (24%, $2.25 ROI) with horses first off the claim who are moving up in claiming price by 50 percent or more. It was encouraging to see him wake up last time as his form had been on the decline since late last year. He battled gamely when challenged by winner Crypto Cash in the stretch, and that one came back to win his next start, as did the third- and fourth-place finishers. One major issue for this horse is that there is other speed signed on, and he could face early challenges from runners like Auburn Hills and Liam’s Fire.

I’m trying to beat the favorite with #6 EASY SHOT. He would be aided by a swift pace up front, as he tends to run his best races when he’s held up early. He got the right setup to win for a higher claiming tag in the slop two back. He lost at this level last time, but that was a pretty tough field for the level, as winner Its All Relevant has improved in his last few starts. Easy Shot also got the wrong trip, as he was used too aggressively to get early position after a slow start, and then launched another middle move to challenge the leader on the turn before fading. Notably, he’s been claimed out of that race by Jeffrey Englehart, who is 10 for 23 (43%, $4.69 ROI) first off the claim over the past four months.

THE PLAY

WIN: #6 Easy Shot, at 3-1 or greater