Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Sky Runner should be set for better stretching out

Aqueduct | Race 4 | Post Time 2:50 p.m. (ET)

The dual conditions of this race are relatively new for the NYRA circuit, as it is both a maiden special weight for New York-breds and a $40k maiden claimer for open company. The only runner in the field without statebred status is Lumenique (#2), but she isn’t racing for the $40k claiming tag because her connections are taking advantage of the waiver option for a second time, available to her here due to the layoff prior to her last race. I’m generally not a fan of these Dutrow horses that use the waiver, since he’s typically using these as prep races, but she does figure to move forward after getting a start under her belt. She should fit well with this field from a class perspective, but she still has to prove she really wants the added ground as she stretches out to a mile.

The horse to beat is Purpose (#7), who has faced some decent rivals in her first three starts. She appeared to need her debut here last April, and then her connections got too ambitious trying the New York Oaks in her second start. She didn’t even run that badly, picking up a stakes placing. She was then off for three months, and now returns from yet another four-month layoff since that effort. The long gaps between starts are a mild concern, but she does seem like a filly who can get this one-mile distance, and she’s shown the requisite ability to win a race at this level.

Some handicappers may be tempted to give Gallant Greta (#4) another chance after she lost as the 4-5 favorite last time, but I’m highly skeptical of this filly’s prospects. She had been a late vet scratch prior to that effort, and didn’t run nearly as well in her return race as she had in prior dirt start. It’s also worth noting she was with a track bias in her Saratoga debut. I believe she’s better on turf, and I’m dubious that she possesses the stamina to win going this distance on dirt.

My top pick Sky Runner (#5), who finished just behind Gallant Greta when they met last time. However, I find it much easier to project upside for this filly as she gradually stretches out in distance. She didn’t show much on debut, but was staying on late in a race dominated towards the front end. Then last time she got a strange trip, as she was forward and vying for the front end early before steadily losing position into the far turn. She ultimately dropped back to last while racing greenly, but then stayed on late to get up for third behind the runaway winner. That may be a stronger race than it appeared at the time, since both Monetary Monarch and Eastern Star came back to win. Sky Runner strikes me as a filly who will appreciate added ground, and I’m hoping Ruben Silvera can keep her more engaged this time.