Friday’s TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Blue Belt can regain his best form on the trainer switch

Aqueduct | Race 5 | Post Time 3:23 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

Square Shooter (#4) is a wild card in this race as he ships up from Florida for Jeremiah Englehart. His most recent effort was quite good, as he ran a competitive speed figure and finished just a half-length behind the winner, who has since gone on to do some nice things. However, this horse hasn’t been seen for nearly three months since, and he now returns as a new gelding with blinkers added. He appears to have ability, but there are obviously questions surrounding him.

Another interesting runner in this race is Have Another (#2), who makes his first start off the claim by Brad Cox. He had shown real ability running in maiden races last winter at Aqueduct, but was surprisingly dangled for a $40,000 tag upon returning last month. This is surely a positive trainer switch, but Have Another is a one-dimensional stretch runner who may not get a favorable early setup in this spot with little speed signed on.

For that reason, I prefer one of the more tactical runners, BLUE BELT (#5).

This gelding clearly possesses plenty of early speed, and I like that he’s getting a significant trainer upgrade to Rudy Rodriguez for this race. Blue Belt ran well early in his career before getting somewhat lost through a series of surface switches and minor layoffs. His recent form is better than it seems, as he got used up chasing a fast pace two back and then was unwisely restrained and discouraged in the early going last time. Manny Franco just needs to send him into a clear stalking position today, because I believe he’s talented enough to hold off closers like Have Another and Benevolence on his best day.

THE PLAY

Win: 5
Exacta Key Box: 5 with 1,2,4,6