Sunday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Topaz Bride has the pedigree to make the switch to dirt

Aqueduct | Race 1 | Post Time 12:00 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

Imprsstheprofessor (#2) may inherit the favorite’s role upon the redraw, as this race was brought back from Thursday’s canceled card. This filly closed resolutely from far back to be third in her debut against maiden claiming company. While this is a step up in class, she’s exiting a race that may be stronger than your average maiden claimer, as winner Officer Hutchy returned to finish second in a stakes last weekend. Imprsstheprofessor is clearly bred to stretch out in distance and she should be right there at the end with any kind of step forward.

I’d also use the other second-time starter who finished third in her dirt debut, My My Michelle (#4). This filly only beat one rival in a depleted off-the-turf race, but she was staying on well late like a filly who should improve with experience. It wouldn’t be any major surprise if she were to turn the tables on Courageous Girl (#5), who finished just ahead of her last time.

I’m using all of these, but my top pick is TOPAZ BRIDE (#6). This filly debuted on the grass against New York-breds in September at Belmont. She showed good tactical speed before fading in the lane. Yet, what intrigues me about her is that she didn’t appear to be terribly comfortable traveling over the grass that day, and her pedigree contains plenty of dirt influences. Tiznow is a capable dirt sire, and her dam was primarily a dirt horse. Furthermore, her second dam was a multiple stakes winner routing on dirt, even taking down the 10-furlong Ladies over this track. We saw Mike Maker win with a big price trying dirt for the first time last week, and this filly could deliver a similar result.

THE PLAY

Win: 6

Exacta Key Box: 6 with 2,4,5

Trifecta: 6 with 2,4 with 2,4,5,7