Sunday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Play Free Bird should appreciate switch to grass
Belmont | Race 1 | Post Time 12:30 p.m. (ET)
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Grab the Glory (#8) was part of a heavily favored entry on debut, and it’s not quite clear which half of the pair was attracting more of that support. She showed some speed from the gate but was taken in hand soon after. She appeared to be traveling well into the lane and produced only a mild stretch kick. Now she returns with that start under her belt for Linda Rice, who is 8 for 37 (22%, $2.01 ROI) with maiden second-time starters in turf sprints over 5 years. She would be no surprise if she took a step forward, and is probably the horse to beat as she goes out for the meet’s leading barn.
Nicky Jolene (#3) finished a half-length ahead of Grab the Glory last time and I didn’t think she had a major excuse. She got first run on that rival and was just making up mild ground at the very end as the winner was coming back to the field.
I was more interested in some fresher faces as alternatives. I wouldn’t fault anyone for giving a look to first-time starters in here. Tough Love Torres (#4) obviously makes sense based on pedigree for Mike Maker, though that barn doesn’t have the best numbers with juvenile debut runners in turf sprints. Find Your Joy (#5) is another one who is bred to handle turf sprinting, and Tom Morley and Javier Castellano did team up for a 2-year-old debut winner on grass earlier in the meet.
My top pick is a horse switching to this surface for the first time. Play Free Bird (#6) lacked early speed in the debut and raced a bit greenly towards the back of the pack, bearing out on the turn in a reaction to kickback. She stayed on at one pace through the lane even as the leader was tiring late. New sire Maximus Mischief has yet to compile much of a record on turf, but Into Mischief is a solid influence. The dam was 0 for 6 and lost her only turf attempt. She’s produced one winner from 3 foals to race, none winning on grass. There is sneaky turf pedigree in this female family. The dam is a full-sister to Icy Atlantic, a Grade 2 stakes winner on turf who nearly $1 million, and is a half-sister to Wild Promises, another multiple stakes winner on grass. It’s interesting that Rosario gets aboard this time, and she’ll be a price.