Saturday’s TimeformUS Highlight Horse: A fast pace in the Busher would benefit No Sweat

Aqueduct | Race 8 | Post Time 4:50 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs

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The first thing to notice about this edition of the Busher is that there is a ton of speed signed on. Yorkiepoo Princess (#3), Heavenly Score (#4), and Full House (#5) are drawn alongside each other in the gate, and all have run their best races when able to take command early. Beyond them, you also have other stretching-out sprinters who will be looking to gain a forward early position. The Pace Projector is predicting a fast pace, so something is going to have to give in the late stages.

The closer whom most handicappers are likely to gravitate toward is Spanish Harlem. However, I have mixed feelings about this runner. She was visually impressive when winning her maiden last time, winning under a snug hold from her rider. However, she did so against a very weak field, and her trainer said she’s really more of a turf horse. I just wonder how much upside she really has racing on dirt.

The late runner whom I want to focus on instead is NO SWEAT (#10). This Todd Pletcher-trained filly has been fairly green in her races, often refusing to switch leads in the stretch. She appears to still be a work in progress for a barn that is typically known for its precocious young runners. The only horse running back out of last month's Busanda, she made an eye-catching far-turn move in that race before weaving and losing momentum in the stretch. I don't think we've seen the best of her yet, and she figures to work out the right trip today, as Cornelio Velasquez is likely to take her to the back of the pack from this outside post and launch one run.

THE PLAY

Win/Place: 10

Exacta Key Box: 10 with 2,3,5,7,8