Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Map of the Moon should get favorable pace setup in Stewart Manor

Aqueduct | Race 9 | Post Time 3:39 p.m. (ET)

My primary opinion in this Stewart Manor is that I wanted to avoid the shortest prices in such a wide open race. Should've (#1) might be one of the most talented fillies in this field, and she was arguably best last time in the Matron. She blew the start and had to rush up to set the pace before understandably fading. However, she hasn't been sharp from the gate in either of her starts, and that's a major concern here as she breaks from the rail. The second shortest price on my line, Beach Heist (#4), was assigned a huge TimeformUS Speed Figure on debut. However, the Keeneland turf course appeared to be mildly speed-favoring that day and I want to see her repeat that number against a tougher field.

Among those listed at single-digit prices on the morning line, Lit Ship (#8) might be the most appealing. She arguably would have won her turf sprint debut at Saratoga if she hadn't started drifting in deep stretch. She was competitive with stakes winner Quiet Street that day, and then held her own against stakes company in the Jessamine despite racing over a distance that is likely too far for her. She cuts back here and showed on debut that she doesn't need the lead to be successful.

Believe in Magic (#11) hasn't gotten much respect in her two prior turf starts, both against stakes company, but she ran reasonably well each time. She was contesting a fast pace that came apart in the Untapable and then was chasing the superior Ground Support in the Miss Grillo going a distance that is beyond her reach. I like her cutting back here, but I am concerned that she wants to get forward and may get parked outside from a wide draw. I'll still use her at the expected price.

The horse I really want to bet is Map of the Moon (#2), who broke her maiden on debut at Keeneland with a solid late rally. She didn't save much ground early in the race, advancing 3 to 4-wide to the quarter pole. She put in a nice kick to reach the leaders in mid-stretch before stalling a bit. Yet she seemed to kick on again when she felt a late challenge coming from the outside, and she maintained that winning advantage to the wire. I'm encouraged by that competitive spirit, and I think she can step forward here given the favorable pace scenario. She figures to be the right price for an underrated turf barn.