Saturday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Rhiannon ready for stakes test in Pebbles
Aqueduct | Race 6 | Post Time 2:17 p.m. (ET)
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I’m not trying to beat Rhiannon (#8) as she makes her stakes debut in this Pebbles. She was highly touted prior to her debut on dirt at Saratoga, but failed to handle the muddy surface that day. She has much more of a turf pedigree on the dam’s side, and she clearly took that surface last time when switched over. She showed improved tactical speed and always traveled like the winner, easily blowing past the pacemaker at the quarter pole before opening up late with impressive strides. She earned a 112 TimeformUS Speed Figure, which makes her one of the fastest horses in this field. That number stands up to scrutiny, as the third-place finisher from that race returned to finish second last week, improving her number by 6 points. She has the tactical speed and versatility to work out the right trip, and she might be a better price than she otherwise would be for this barn with Kendrick Carmouche retaining the mount.
Her main rival from a class standpoint is Sacred Wish (#6), who won the Winter Memories over this course and distance in her turf debut two back. She got a perfect trip to win that day, but wasn’t as fortunate last time when getting squeezed back in the early stages before making a belated rally at Keeneland. She makes some sense, but I think others have a bit more upside.
Another Chad Brown runner also exits a maiden victory. Startup Mentality (#7) was pretty impressive winning her debut at Monmouth back in July. She did get pace to close into, but still made an eye-catching move from last to first in the final three-eighths of a mile. She’s supposed to get some pace to close into here, and she should be charging late if she’s ready for the class hike off a layoff.
Plentitude (#2) also returns from a layoff with something to prove. She’s never gone this far, having sprinted in her three prior starts. I thought she was game to earn the victory over a solid allowance field two back, and last time she just got run off her feet in the Blue Sparkler after chasing wide on the turn. She’s bred to go longer as a half-sister to Pilgrim winner Agate Road and dirt router Gasoline. This is a tough spot, but she could potentially work her way into the exotics at a price.