Sunday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Walley World progressing into Central Park
Aqueduct | Race 5 | Post Time 2:15 p.m. (ET)
TimeformUS PPs are now available on drf.com. Go to shop.drf.com and use coupon code NYRATF23 to get one free TimeformUS card.
This Central Park drew a strong and competitive field of 2-year-olds. Spirit Prince (#9) might be the horse to beat despite still being a maiden after four starts. He’s had trouble getting to the winner’s circle, but has run well every time, placing in three stakes events this summer and fall. He did disappoint as the heavy favorite last time in the Awad, but he was put in a difficult situation that day, having to chase down a run-off leader before trying to hold off closers. He might have moved a little too soon considering the fast pace. He makes sense here, but I didn’t want to settle for a short price on him.
Uncle Truly (#4) seems like another who could take money off a visually impressive victory at Woodbine, which earned a strong 98 TimeformUS Speed Figure. He ran like a horse who needed his debut at Kentucky Downs, and the light bulb appeared to go on last time in Canada. He took a while to hit his best stride, but was really moving well with powerful, bounding strides through the final furlong as he pulled away from that group. He’s stepping up to face tougher this time, but he goes out for a dangerous barn.
There are other recent maiden winners to consider, including Frontline Warrior (#10), who beat a solid field at Keeneland last time, and Buffoon (#11), who earned a strong 102 TimeformUS Speed Figure for his victory at that same venue.
My top pick is the Chad Brown runner exiting a maiden victory. Walley World (#7) was surprisingly green on debut for a Chad Brown first time starter, reacting badly to the crop in upper stretch before getting slammed by a rival at the eighth pole. Chad put blinkers on for his second start and he looked like a completely different horse. He was far more engaged through the early stages of the race, but still rated kindly before producing his run. He forged to the lead in upper stretch and briefly looked as if he might get challenged before kicking on again, maintaining his speed through the wire. I get the sense there’s more talent here than the modest speed figure indicates. Chad Brown also has a knack for winning these races. He’s 10 for 31 (32%, $3.07 ROI) with last-out winners in 2-year-old turf route stakes over the past 5 years.