Saturday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Thinking It Over can build on strong debut in Franklin Square

Aqueduct | Race 8 | Post Time 3:50 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

This second attempt at running the Franklin Square has attracted the same nine fillies. Moam (#7) could vie for favoritism off her debut win at Saratoga. While she has positive experience at the distance, she got a great trip that day, closing into a quick pace. I’m not sure that was the strongest field and I wonder where she’s been for the intervening months.

Among the short prices I prefer Leeloo (#6), who just looks like the horse to beat off her impressive maiden triumph last time out. She may have moved up on the sloppy track, but she had shown some promise in her debut as well. She figures to be forwardly placed early but doesn’t need the lead, and she comes in with the fastest last-out speed figure.

Sterling Silver (#2) beat Leeloo in her debut and would benefit from a quick pace up front if a few of these fillies decide to knock heads on the lead. She has a right to step forward for a barn that rarely has their firsters cranked up to win on debut.

I’m using both of these, but my top pick is THINKING IT OVER (#3). This Ray Handal trainee was touted on debut when she won an off-the-turf affair against a pretty decent field. She had worked impressively coming into that race and delivered, wearing down a fellow first-time starter through the lane. Horses have come back out of that race to run reasonably well and I like that she showed the ability to rate. She’s continued to post some fast workout times in the mornings, and I think she’s another who has a right to step forward in her second career start.

THE PLAY

Win: 3

Exacta Key Box: 3 with 2,6,9

Trifecta: 3 with 2,6 with 1,2,6,7,9