Saturday’s TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Halloween Horror gets needed drop in class

Aqueduct | Race 4 | Post Time 1:50 p.m. (ET)

The Pace Projector is predicting a fast pace, with Devine Dental, Glennrichment, and Karma Delight all expected to show early speed. A quick early tempo would obviously help morning-line favorite Starship Zeus (#4). This horse must be included in your wagers. He’s coming out of tougher spots and has run a series of speed figures that are simply faster than those of his rivals. The only knock against this runner is apparently his inability to win races. He’s just 2 for 36 in his career, with 17 second- and third-place finishes. Therefore, I want to look elsewhere for my top selection.

Another horse I think should sit a good trip is HALLOWEEN HORROR (#6). At first glance, he looks a bit too slow to win this race, but I think there are reasons to be optimistic about his chances. Unlike some of his more experienced rivals, Halloween Horror has raced on dirt just four times. Yet the last three of those are the best races he’s ever run, and he’s run reasonably well against some better horses. He was beaten by eventual Grade 3 Discovery winner Control Group back in August and then gamely dueled with the vastly improved Pioneer Spirit two back. Last time at Aqueduct, he was simply in over his head. Horses like Flash Trading, Westwood, and even Forest Blue would all be viable favorites in this spot, and Halloween Horror hardly disgraced himself after chasing the pace four wide. He figures to work out a great trip from midpack and, as a newly turned 4-year-old, may still have some room for improvement.

THE PLAY

Win: 6

Exacta Key Box: 6 with 3,4,9,10