Sunday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Patricia Anna ready to take on tougher second off the layoff
Aqueduct | Race 7 | Post Time 3:39 p.m. (ET)
Headline Numbers (#7) figures to be a clear-cut favorite in this second-level allowance as she cuts back in distance and drops in class. It made sense for Chad Brown to try the Grade 2 Mother Goose last time, since it was coming up a short field without a standout. This filly finished last despite taking money, but she was only beaten 1 3/4 lengths while just failing to stay on through the final furlong. She had been awarded her first-level allowance victory via disqualification at Saratoga two back, but even that day she seemed to struggle to put the race away through the final furlong. Even though she’s bred to go longer, she seems like one who might actually appreciate this cutback to 7 furlongs. She still has upside in just the fourth start of her career, but she’s going to take plenty of money for these popular connections, and I still think she has some things to prove at this level.
They all will have to catch Golden Degree (#4) on the front end, who tried to stretch her speed out to a mile last time. She led the field into the final furlong before getting overhauled by the classy Julia Shining. She should appreciate this cutback to 7 furlongs, and even with other speed signed on here, she appears to be quick enough to get clear of this group early.
I’m interested in a couple of horses coming off victories at the N1X level. Kid’s Last Laugh (#3) had shown improvement off the claim for Rick Dutrow here last winter before going to the sidelines after running poorly in March. She ran better than it appears in her return in October, losing some position on the turn before galloping out best of all. She put it all together last time, showing improved tactical speed before drawing off to an authoritative victory. This is a much tougher spot, but she appears to be back in great form for a dangerous barn.
My top pick is Patricia Ann (#1), who also exits a convincing victory against N1X allowance competition. She was sharp off the layoff that day, contesting the pace from the start before drawing away when asked for her best in the lane. I liked the way she kicked away from that field in upper stretch to earn a very respectable 106 TimeformUS Speed Figure going a distance that may be a little short for her. The waters get deeper here, but this lightly raced 4-year-old still has plenty of upside. She improved significantly in her second start as a young 3-year-old before gamely chasing home the classier Value Area going this distance in March. She missed plenty of time after losing her jockey in that May allowance race, but she appeared to return as a more refined version of herself in that November allowance. I don’t love the rail draw for her, but there isn’t a ton of pace in this race, so she should be able to attain a good stalking position.