Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Rooski dangerous off dirt debut

Aqueduct | Race 6 | Post Time 2:39 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

Slow Crossing (#8) could go favored after winning her debut at Belmont. She lacked some early speed getting into stride despite a hustling ride, but responded when put to serious pressure while angling wide off the turn. There were some big gaps behind her in a strung-out field, so she may have run well even if there wasn’t much behind her. She’s bred to have ability as a half-sister to solid New York-bred performers Too Early ($218k) and John's Island ($413k). The only slight negative is that she’s offered for a tag once again even after that solid debut victory.

I prefer her to Rudy’s other runner, Saratoga Kisses (#6), who beat an awful field when she broke her maiden. No More Mischief (#3) could also attract support but she comes out of a slower race for Todd Pletcher. Lady Milagro (#4) is a bit more interesting at a square price since she has run deceptively well in a few of her defeats and has a chance to improve returning to dirt.

My top pick is Finger Lakes maiden winner ROOSKI (#9). This filly began her career on turf, putting in a series of respectable efforts against N.Y.-bred maiden special weight foes. She switched to dirt at Finger Lakes last time and delivered a solid 78 TimeformUS Speed Figure while winning easily by seven lengths. While she's by good turf influence Tourist, her dam-side pedigree is geared more towards dirt. The Jeremiah Englehart barn had been quiet at NYRA for the past few months, but he is 9 for 21 (43%, $3.98 ROI) with last-out maiden winners in NYRA dirt sprints over the past five years.

THE PLAY

Win: 9
Exacta Key Box: 9 with 3,4,8
Trifecta: 9 with 4,8 with 3,4,6,8