Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Getoffmyback stretches out in distance first off the claim

Belmont Park | Race 4 | Post Time 3:09 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs

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If this race gets transferred to the dirt, I want to bet GETOFFMYBACK (#7). Trainer Ray Handal has done a fantastic job with his claims over the past two years (8 for 38, $3.47 ROI), and I like the confidence being displayed as he moves this horse up in class significantly. Most recently, he ran an excellent race against the classy Morning Buzz on Feb. 18 over a sloppy, sealed racetrack that should be similar to the one he encounters on Friday.

Getoffmyback did not perform as well for the John Toscano barn, but his last race was a step back in the right direction. The one-mile distance is a bit of a question mark, but he has run well going seven furlongs and has finished second going this far in the past. He possesses the tactical speed to get a good early position behind likely pacesetter Doyouknowsomething, and I’m hoping the track can carry him the rest of the way.

Obviously, his main danger is Old Upstart (#10), who also handles a wet track. However, Belmont typically gets somewhat speed-favoring with a lot of rain, and that could work against this closer. I can’t strongly endorse anyone else. Donji (#9) is unproven over a wet track, though he would have a chance were he to handle it. Doyouknowsomething’s (#6) recent form has fallen apart, so I’m skeptical about him leading these all the way. I would also throw in Poshsky (#12), who has run some decent dirt races in the past year and owns two wins over a wet track.

THE PLAY

Win: 7

Exacta Key Box: 7 with 4,9,10,12

Trifecta: 7 with 9,10,12 with 4,6,9,10,12