Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Sweet Kisses should transfer improved form back to dirt

Belmont | Race 7 | Post Time 3:55 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

This race remains pretty interesting even after getting rained off the turf. On dirt, Fiftyshays Ofgreen (#13) and My Sweet Wife (#3) both figure to attract support. The former makes her first start off a trainer switch to Linda Rice, but I’m a little concerned about the turnback in distance for her. She strikes me as a filly that relishes routes, so even this seven furlongs could be a little sharp for her.

My Sweet Wife (#3) does make some sense after breaking her maiden at this trip in another off-the-turf affair. However, she is stepping up into a tougher spot and was entered for turf again.

Among those who were intended for grass, I’m most interested in SWEET KISSES (#8). It doesn’t appear there will be a ton of speed among those who figure to remain in a dirt version of this race, so she could find herself on or near the lead through moderate early fractions. While she has improved on turf recently, her career-best TimeformUS Speed Figure (102) came in her second career start sprinting on dirt. At first glance it seems like her form tailed off after that, but she had some excuses, particularly when she returned in February at Oaklawn Park. She did not get the best ride that day, as she got buried inside and lost all momentum in traffic in upper stretch. I think she can still run on the main track, and this appears to be a favorable spot for her.

At a bigger price, I would also use Madam Maclean (#4) underneath. While she's only raced on turf, she's bred to handle dirt as a daughter of Maclean's Music and a half-sister to dirt stakes winner Tres Borrachos.

THE PLAY

Win: 8
Exacta Key Box: 8 with 3,4,13,16
Trifecta: 8 with 3,4,13 with 3,4,9,13,16