Saturday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Dr B can rebound from poor trip

Belmont | Race 9 | Post Time 5:19 p.m. (ET)

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There's no doubt that Goodnight Olive (#1) was unlucky in the Derby City Distaff, boxed in behind the leaders for nearly the entire stretch drive. That ride won’t go on Irad Ortiz's highlight reel, but the mare also did him no favors by lugging in through the stretch. She showed that same tendency in her prior start at Keeneland, so it has to be a mild concern moving forward. She was the leader of the division going into that last race and had a valid excuse, so she’s the one to beat once again. Yet we did see some vulnerability and it’s not as if this race came up a softer spot.

Wicked Halo (#3) is the one that kept Goodnight Olive locked in last time, and perhaps she would have finished behind her if not for that race riding. However, this filly has been in great form since the middle of last year and continues to improve her speed figures. It shouldn’t be overlooked that she got a 3-wide trip in that last race, so it’s not so clear cut that she ran worse than the favorite, and even her Breeders’ Cup loss is better than it appears.

Two other main players exit the Vagrancy at Belmont. Caramel Swirl (#5) was an impressive winner that day, but she had the benefit of being able to make a clear, outside run. She’s drawn well outside again, but there isn’t much pace signed on here and she wasn’t quite good enough to beat Goodnight Olive when they met last summer. She’s also coming back in 5 weeks after needing much more time than that between all of her other recent starts.

My top pick is the horse who was second in the Vagrancy, Dr B (#4). She was also no match for Goodnight Olive at Saratoga last summer, but she’s really progressed since then. She took her game to the next level at Aqueduct last fall when nearly winning the Pumpkin Pie before dominating the Go For Ward in the slop. Perhaps the added distance benefited her, but this 7 furlongs should be well within her wheelhouse. The trip just didn’t work out last time, as she got shuffled back to last on the far turn before having to rally around the field. All things considered, it was a solid performance, and she can win this if returning to form second off the layoff.