Sunday’s TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Benevolence is due for a better trip

Aqueduct | Race 7 | Post Time 3:50 p.m. (ET) | Go to the FREE TimeformUS PPs

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BENEVOLENCE (#5) is supposed to break through his N1X allowance condition here after running much better than it appears in his two previous attempts at this level. He was completely eliminated at the start two back, when he was bumped and squeezed back. He nevertheless put in a solid late run to get up for fifth behind a few of today’s rivals. Then, last time, his rider made no attempt to get early position and allowed Benevolence to go four wide around the entire far turn.

According to Trakus, Benevolence covered 43 more feet than the winner, Foreset, who beat him by only a half-length. I like the rider switch to Irad Ortiz and would hope to see him aggressively ridden into a stalking position early. If he works out any kind of trip, I believe he’ll win.

I’ll use him with Saratoga Giro, who is predicted to be leading the field early in a situation favoring the frontrunners. Fratello Del Nord and H Man are also in with chances to gain exacta or trifecta placings.

THE PLAY

Win: 5

Exacta Box: 1,5

Trifecta: 5 with 1,2,4 with 1,2,3,4,7