Sunday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Divine Leader should work out better trip on class drop

Belmont at the Big A | Race 4 | Post Time 2:35 p.m. (ET)

President Z (#8) is arguably the horse to beat as he drops in class. He is now in for a $16k tag after having not raced for a tag less than $32k since coming into the Rick Dutrow barn. His best effort will obviously beat this field. However, he was mildly disappointing against a soft field for the level at Monmouth last time, and needs to rebound for a barn that's been a little chilly in recent months.

High Tide (#3) has done his best work going longer, but did run effectively sprinting in March and has shown improved tactical speed recently. He's also dropping down to a slightly lower level, and it doesn't hurt to pick up Joel Rosario. I'll try to beat these two with a speedier sort.

I don't totally trust Divine Leader (#7) to repeat his decisive win against optional-claiming company at Tampa two back when he was going out for a different barn. Yet he didn't get his preferred trip when he came to Aqueduct last time. He was off a step slowly, tried to rush up, was forced to rate, and then lost his path in upper stretch before fading. He should have a better chance to get forward position breaking outside with the aggressive Ricardo Santana Jr. getting aboard. He's dropping into a much easier spot after facing the likes of repeat winner Gun It last time, and should be a fair price