Monday's TimeformUs Highlight Horse: Lady Luciano is back at the right level

Aqueduct | Race 2 | Post Time 1:20 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

Picture Day was made the favorite on the morning line, but the Pace Projector is predicting that this race will feature a pace that favors horses on or near the lead, and she is a confirmed closer. For that reason, I want to focus on the two runners most likely to be forwardly placed in the early going. They are Ducasa and Lady Luciano.

Ducasa is coming off a win against slightly weaker foes. While she did successfully negotiate two turns that day, she is more of a sprinter and should be suited by this turnback in distance. She makes sense, but I prefer the other speed, LADY LUCIANO (#4).

This mare was simply overmatched last time and was also involved in a pace that ultimately collapsed. In her start before that, she got a terrible trip. After breaking slowly, she was never able to get over toward the inside and ended up making a four-wide premature move around the far turn. I think she’s in better form than it appears and figures to work out a good trip.

THE PLAY

Win: 4
Exacta Key Box: 4 with 1,2,7
Trifecta: 4 with 1,2,7 with 1,2,3,7