Sunday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Blame D Rule Maker exits strong maiden victory

Belmont | Race 7 | Post Time 4:08 p.m. (ET)

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Carlos Martin sends out a pair of runners who could take money in this starter allowance event, and I have some questions about both of them. More Than Work (#5) was in decent form for Brad Cox, competing effectively on synthetic and turf. I won’t be too hard on him for a dirt race first off the claim for the new barn, but it remains to be seen if he can maintain his form. He also might have to run better than he did two back when he won that claiming event at Aqueduct. Penner Ash (#7) could attract even more support off his victory for a $50k claiming tag last time out. He’ll be tough if he repeats that effort, but he has to do so stretching out to 1 1/8 miles. Carlos Martin is just 3 for 36 (8%, $1.26 ROI) first off the claim over the past 5 years, so it’s fair to wonder if he’ll reproduce that form in this tougher spot.

I think some others are far more interesting at better prices. Parquetry (#6) makes some sense as he makes his second start off the layoff for Barclay Tagg. He was just always too far back last time in a race that was dominated towards the front end. He had displayed some improving form in the second half of last season and can certainly put himself in the mix with a slight step forward. Urban Myth (#3) is also one to consider off his last effort, which came against a field of similar quality at Gulfstream. He really came to hand following a lengthy layoff for Jena Antonucci, so he has to prove he can hold that form for Keri Brion.

There are also two recent maiden winners who merit strong consideration. Pioneering Spirit (#10) was a visually impressive winner at the $40k maiden claiming level last time, launching a sweeping move on the far turn to take over and draw off with authority. This is a much tougher spot than that one, but he has been effective going longer distances on the dirt, so this stretch-out figures to suit him.

My top pick is fellow maiden winner Blame D Rule Maker (#9). This gelding switched over to turf at the start of his year, and has gradually improved with each start on the surface. He showed some late interest in January at Gulfstream before catching a pretty tough maiden field in February. He was no match for the talented Carl Spackler that day, but did make some good late progress. He found a softer spot last time at Laurel and ran a better than the neck margin of victory might suggest. He did well to reel in a heavily favored leader as the two drew 9 lengths clear of the rest. He runs like one that will appreciate this stretch-out in distance. Furthermore, Jorge Duarte is 8 for 38 (21%, $3.67 ROI) with last-out maiden winners over the past 5 years.