Sunday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Nepotism stretches out off deceptively strong effort

Aqueduct | Race 1 | Post Time 12:20 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

Likely favorite Al’s Prince (#2) showed promise in that debut run in the slop, closing mildly along the rail after a slow start while racing greenly. He got another furlong to work with in his second start and responded well to the stretch-out. The grey colt was more professional in the early stages, but had to briefly wait for room in upper stretch before chasing the winner home. He gives the impression that 1 1/8 miles should be right up his alley, and he has worked well since that last run. He also adds blinkers, which could give him that extra bit of focus he needs to break his maiden. I’m using him, but I prefer another runner stretching out at what figures to be a better price.

NEPOTISM (#4) had an eventful journey in his debut. He wasn’t so quick into stride out of the gate, so he had to be hustled in the opening furlong. Yet he then got rank, and had to pause on the turn before getting spun-out very wide into the lane. This horse stretched out to a mile in his second start and ran a much better race. He flashed improved gate speed, stalking a swift pace that totally fell apart, took over in upper stretch and responded gamely when challenged. The 92 TimeformUS Speed Figure that he earned for that performance puts him in the mix here. Now he stretches out and takes the blinkers off, which should help him to relax.

I would lean toward these two rather than the horses who finished behind Al’s Prince last time. The Reds (#1) has just been a disappointment since showing promise in his debut, and Inspiration Point (#3) has to show more staying power than he did last time.

THE PLAY

Win: 4

Exacta Key Box: 4 with 1,2,3

Trifecta: 2,4 with 2,4 with 1,3