Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Less distance and a change in tactics should benefit Towering Gaze

Saratoga | Race 7 | Post Time 4:40 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

Snicket (#8) is the horse to beat after twice finishing second at this level at Belmont. She arguably should have been placed first last time after she was herded out significantly in the stretch and she’s obviously a major contender here with a repeat of that performance.

Quantitativebreezin (#10) seems like one of her main rivals despite debuting for a tag. She ran well within the context of her debut race, as she launched a wide run at the quarter pole over a turf course that was favoring inside paths. She was never really a threat to Saratoga Love as the diminishing margin was partly a function of the winner being geared down late. I’m also a little concerned that some horses haven’t run back to the speed figures they earned in that race. Yet she obviously has some ability and should be around at the finish.

My top pick is TOWERING GAZE (#2). She ran pretty well behind Snicket in her debut as she made a strong late run up the rail before getting in tight quarters behind that rival late. They tried to stretch her out to seven furlongs last time but I’m not convinced she wants to go that far. All of her siblings are confirmed turf sprinters, including one, Veterans Beach, who doesn’t want to go a step beyond 5 1/2 furlongs. I think she’s going to appreciate this slight cutback in distance and I also believe she’s more comfortable running at a target than racing freely on the front end, as she did last time.

One other horse I’d throw into the mix at a big price is Robin Sparkles (#1). I know she doesn't have much turf pedigree on her dam's side, but she’s by Elusive Quality and flashed some impressive speed in the slop before fading last time.

THE PLAY

Win: 2
Exacta Key Box: 2 with 1,7,8,10
Trifecta: 2 with 8,10 with 17,8,9,10