Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Soaring Spirit looks well meant for debut
Belmont at the Big A | Race 8 | Post Time 4:44 p.m. (ET)
A few of the experienced runners in this New York-bred maiden special weight have shown some turf ability. Yet they all come in with questions to answer. Some will consider Ticket to Ride (#2) to be the most reliable after she ran well to be second here a month ago despite encountering trouble in upper stretch. However, that was a much weaker race at the level than this appears to be. Amazing Gracer (#8) owns superior turf form from last year, but she hasn't raced in over six months. She does get a rider upgrade to Jose Lezcano for this return and seems like the best option of those with prior grass experience.
There are also several first time starters to consider. Miss Apples (#1) will take money due to connections. While she does have plenty of turf pedigree, Amelia Green hasn't compiled the strongest statistics with her newcomers. Pelican Pride (#4) is by excellent turf route influence Slumber and appears to be working well at Churchill Downs for Cherie DeVaux. I just wonder if she's another who could get overbet based on her Derby-winning trainer.
My top pick is Soaring Spirit (#9). This filly is by good debut and grass influence Nyquist out of a dam who was best on turf and has produced one turf winner. The dam is also a half-sister to Grade 2 Long Island winner Spice Island, an excellent turf marathoner. Miguel Clement is 8 for 26 (31%, $2.76 ROI) with first time starters in turf routes, and this filly looks well prepared for her unveiling. She had notably been working very well on grass in Saratoga last summer, and she's been paired with some decent older runners for this barn in some of her recent preparation down at Payson Park. I'm expecting her to run well first time out.
Another horse I want to use at a bigger price is Encantar (#10), who switches to turf after a couple of dirt starts last year. I had tabbed this filly as one that would appreciate a switch to grass following her career debut over a sealed track last summer. Her dam's side pedigree is primarily turf influences, and she looked like a filly with a stride that would translate to grass in that sealed track performance. David Donk is known to occasionally send out live longshots off layoffs.