Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Good Medicine stretches back out to preferred distance

Saratoga | Race 3 | Post Time 2:15 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

Both Most Wanted Man (#2) and Tiz a Giant (#3) exit the same race at this level going 1 3/16 miles. The former arguably had the tougher trip since he had to go wider on the far turn. However, Most Wanted Man had his chance to get up for second in the lane and just didn’t finish off the race. I don’t exactly get the vibe that more ground suits him as much as I do from Tiz a Giant. This Michael Trombetta trainee handled 11 furlongs when running a good second at this level two back. I like him stretching back out and won’t be surprised if he shows a bit more tactical speed this time. Todd Pletcher has the two other runners worth considering.

I thought Outperform (#4) ran fine in his turf debut, just hitting his best stride a little too late. However, I have some doubts about the quality of that affair and there’s no guarantee that added ground will suit him.

My top pick is Pletcher’s other runner GOOD MEDICINE (#1). I thought he really improved with the stretch-out in distance in his two starts going longer at Belmont. He held on well for second behind the talented Balthus on May 20 and then made a nice run into the trifecta on June 18 despite breaking slowly and getting a wide trip. They did risk him for a tag last time, but I thought he again stayed on well that day, and it’s not as if this field came up much tougher than that one. Flavien Prat has ridden well for the Pletcher barn, and I think this one will be a fair price.

THE PLAY

WIN: #1 Good Medicine, at 5-2 or greater

USE: 3,4