Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Single Soul blossoming over longer distances

Saratoga | Race 3 | Post Time 2:15 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

There are three fillies in this 11-furlong allowance who figure to attract the bulk of support. The one with the best experience at this level is probably Coastana (#5), who finished a good second in a 1 1/4-mile race at this level at Belmont. The filly who beat her, Higher Truth, returned from that winning performance to finish a close third in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks in her next start. She makes sense, but she faces a couple of talented 3-year-olds.

Creative Cairo (#7) goes out for the powerful team of Christophe Clement and Joel Rosario. She was overmatched in her first start against winners in the Wonder Again, but bounced back nicely to finish third at this level last time. That was probably a weaker race than the one Coastana exits, and she didn’t display much turn of foot through the lane.

I prefer the other 3-year-old, SINGLE SOUL (#4). This filly got the wrong trip in her debut at Belmont last year, but she’s since run well in both starts for Graham Motion. She couldn’t quite get to future graded stakes winner Technical Analysis last year, but she appeared to return as an improved horse in her sophomore debut. Going 10 furlongs, she traveled well every step of the way and reached the leaders while still under only light urging from Jose Ortiz. He didn’t set her down until the eighth pole, at which point she drew clear. This daughter of Dubawi should relish an extra furlong and still may have a forward move in her.

THE PLAY

Win: 4

Exacta: 4 with 3,5,7

Trifecta: 4 with 5,7 with 3,5,6,7