Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Mr R T should appreciate surface switch

Aqueduct | Race 5 | Post Time 3:16 p.m. (ET)

There is little reliable turf form in the main body of this field. The race would actually become much less competitive if one or two of the also eligibles drew in, since both Authentic Legend (#11) and Melody Man (#13) possess superior recent turf form to all of the horses inside of them. However, they are one deep and three deep, respectively, on the also-eligible list. Between them, I would prefer Authentic Legend, who got a terrible trip when stuck wide every step of the way last time out at Gulfstream.

Among those who are already in the main body of the race, I didn't trust In the Dark (#4), who has the best turf form from last year but has been steadily declining in recent starts. Plaza Del Sol (#7) finished well on debut at Fair Grounds but wasn't facing the strongest field that day and was making up ground into a pretty slow final quarter-mile. He was entered for a $35,000 tag at Laurel last week, which doesn't inspire confidence.

I wish there was some turf pedigree for Swiss Army Knife (#6), who has faced better horses on the dirt. His action makes me think he might take to grass, but I wish there was even the smallest signal of turf inclination in his breeding.

The first-time turf runner that I want to bet is Mr R T (#3). This horse goes out for connections that aren't known for winning turf races, but I have been waiting to see this horse get on the grass since he made his debut last summer. He met some tougher rivals in a couple of maiden special weight races that bookend his career, but he actually showed some ability in a pair of maiden claiming races this winter. Both of those top efforts came with apprentice Dalila Rivera aboard, and she regains the mount here. Mr R T's pedigree is strongly geared towards turf, by Medaglia d'Oro out of a Dubawi mare, and he has the high-stepping action of a grass horse.