Sunday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Playwright back at his favorite distance following a troubled trip

Aqueduct | Race 6 | Post Time 2:47 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs

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Expert (#1) is likely to attract plenty of support as he makes his first start off the claim for Jason Servis and Michael Dubb. This horse ran a competitive speed figure for his prior connections when winning an N2L claiming event by 6 lengths last time out, but that victory came going 9 furlongs. The cutback to a one-turn mile seems like a minor negative, but Jason Servis has been known to inject more speed into runners like this. I’m using him, but I think he could get overbet in this spot, and there are others coming into this race in solid form.

A wild card in this field is Starship Zeus (#5), who has recorded a string of speed figures that would beat this field. However, he is difficult to trust as he makes his first start in nine months. Even when he was at his best, he was never a horse that liked to win races and his running style tends to put him at a disadvantage in races that lack pace. I’m using him defensively, but I could never pick him on top.

My top pick is PLAYWRIGHT (#3), who ran well at a similar level going 7 furlongs last time. He arguably could have won that race had he not gotten into trouble on the far turn. Attempting to move up between horses, he got caught in a tight spot and clipped heels. Manny Franco did well to stay in the saddle, and got him to rally again for second. I like the slight stretch-out to a mile, which has always been his best distance. The Danny Gargan barn has been doing quite well in recent weeks, and I think he has this horse in good form right now. Furthermore, he should not be hindered by rain in the forecast as a son of the slop-loving Super Saver.

THE PLAY

Win: 3

Exacta Key Box: 3 with 1,4,5

Trifecta: 3 with 1,4,5 with 1,4,5,6,7