Saturday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Customerexperience can step forward off the claim

Aqueduct | Race 3 | Post Time 2:22 p.m. (ET)

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Hot Fudge (#2) makes some sense here as she returns for her second start off a layoff. She got the job done last time, but the runner-up arguably ran a better race after overcoming a poor beginning. This filly sat a perfect trip from her outside post position and capitalized. This time the waters get deeper and she figures to be a short price.

Among the favorites, I actually prefer Leeloo (#4). She was forced to use her speed and set an honest pace last time, given that she drew inside of other speeds. This time I imagine that Kendrick Carmouche and the connections will change up the tactics. She can deliver a solid finish when she’s properly rated, and her best speed figures suggest she might have the edge.

My top pick is Linda Rice’s other runner CUSTOMEREXPERIENCE (#3). Some might dismiss this mare as being a little cheaper than this group, but she’s run races that make her competitive here in the past. I like the way she’s finished in her last couple of starts, and I’m encouraged to see that Linda Rice is raising her in class and protecting her off the claim. That’s usually a good sign for this barn. There’s also a real possibility that she’ll get some pace to close into with speeds like Hey Mamaluke and Unsolved Mystery in here. I expect that the public will bet the other Rice runner and I don’t think this one is that much less likely to win.

THE PLAY

#4 CUSTOMEREXPERIENCE, at 4-1 or greater