Sunday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Jody’s Pride should relish switch to turf in Matron

Belmont at the Big A | Race 8 | Post Time 4:22 p.m. (ET)

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Star of Mystery (#8) figures to take money in this Matron for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby, connections that have routinely been overbet in the United States this year despite not having the same magical season that they enjoyed last year. This filly looked like a very precocious sort when she emerged earlier this season, winning her maiden by 11 lengths before winning a stakes at Newmarket quite easily. However, she was beaten as a heavy favorite in a Group 2 thereafter and also ran below form in the Lowther Stakes last time. I’m just a little concerned that she hasn’t gone on since that auspicious start to her career, not dissimilar to her half-brother Mysterious Night.

The horse to beat might be Ever So Sweet (#11). This filly got an aggressive ride from the far outside post position on debut, opening up in midstretch before getting nailed on the wire. She appeared to take a step forward to win her maiden last time, leading throughout. That 102 TimeformUS Speed Figure stacks up quite favorably against this group, but she does have to overcome some other pace rivals drawn to her inside.



The quickest of them all in the early stages might be Leslie’s Loot (#1). This filly has only made one start on turf, and she didn’t even win. However, she displayed exceptional speed, opening up on that field quickly through an opening quarter fraction that earned a massive 150 TimeformUS Pace Figure. She understandably tired late, but her 98 TimeformUS Speed Figure for that race makes her a player here. She also has run well on dirt and might be the type that could sneak away over a turf course that has taken rain.

My top pick is Jody’s Pride (#7). This filly was intended for turf on debut, but stayed in once the race was rained off. She still won impressively, drawing off by more than 10 lengths. Her 93 TimeformUS Speed Figure is slightly lower than some others in here, but she is supposed to appreciate the switch to grass. American Pharoah is a solid turf influence, and the dam was a multiple turf winner who was pretty precocious herself. I like that Flavien Prat retains the mount, and she figures to be a fair price in this competitive affair.