Sunday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Fromanothamutha should benefit from stretch-out

Aqueduct | Race 4 | Post Time 1:46 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

Major Spin (#3) looks like the horse to beat as he makes his second start off the claim for trainer Tom Morley, having raced last time for his assistant who deputized for the barn during a short suspension. It was nice to see this gelding get back on track after a series of poor efforts in his prior runs for the Linda Rice barn. Now he stretches back out in distance. While he did handle a mile in his maiden victory, I’m not convinced that added ground actually benefits this gelding. He’s an obvious contender on the slight class drop, but I have some questions.

Mo Rewards (#5) will take money off turf speed figures, but his form has been tailing off and his lone prior dirt race was nothing special. Hollywoodhellraisr (#2) finished off the board in his lone dirt attempt two back, but that came against a tougher field and he was glued to the inside when the rail may not have been the place to be. He’s a little interesting getting another chance on dirt here.

My top pick is FROMANOTHAMUTHA (#8). Some may overlook him due to his uninspiring recent speed figures. However, I think he can wake up on the stretch-out in distance. I’ve always preferred this horse going longer, since he has more of a chance to relax on the lead. The outside post position should benefit him, and he’s supposed to play out as the speed in a race that lacks any true front-runners. Ray Handal’s barn is in the midst of a strong year, and I think this horse may be sitting on an improved effort third off the layoff.

THE PLAY

WIN: #8 Fromanothamutha, at 5-2 or greater

USE: 2,3