Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: I’m Otter Here should benefit from turnback in Futurity
Belmont at the Big A | Race 5 | Post Time 2:44 p.m. (ET)
Likely favorite Under Who’s Radar (#5) might be undefeated if not for some general greenness when crossing the wire first in the Juvenile Sprint. He seemed to get tricked by the slight bend in the stretch at Kentucky Downs as he veered out under a left-handed crop at that point. He did straighten himself up to the wire first, but the stewards intervened and demoted him to second. He’s still run very well in both of his starts, rocketing to the front and leading throughout in his dirt debut against New York-breds before the turf attempt last time. There’s plenty of other speed in here to keep him honest up front, but this colt might have the talent to overcome a taxing trip. He is the horse to beat, but isn’t going to be much of a price, especially after the expected scratch of Chasing Liberty.
Todd Pletcher has a pair of entrants in this race, but I have trouble making a case for Mentee (#7), who might attract some support off his 108 TimeformUS Speed Figure earned on debut. He’s trying turf for the first time and there just isn’t enough pedigree to recommend him here at any kind of short price. I much prefer Pletcher’s other runner Gate to Wire (#1), who won sprinting on turf in his debut at Saratoga. He beat a decent field that day, and showed professionalism to stalk the pace and pull clear in the stretch. He does need to get a little faster to beat this group, but he’s drawn well inside and should sit the right trip.
My top pick is I’m Otter Here (#6), who is turning back in distance to six furlongs following a pair of one-mile races. He has only sprinted on turf once, in his career debut when defeated by subsequent stakes winner Chasing Liberty. He was closing steadily that day, appearing to figure it out as the race unfolded, and that’s proven to be a stronger affair than the speed figures indicate. He took a big step forward to beat maidens second time out at Ellis when stretched out, earning a 103 TimeformUS Speed Figure, the highest turf number in this field. He wasn’t nearly as successful when he tried stakes foes at Kentucky Downs, but got involved in a torrid duel that saw both leaders fade badly late. He’s better than that, and the raw speed he displayed last time suggests this turnback will be appropriate for him.