Sunday’s TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Taralena should appreciate the slight cutback in distance

Aqueduct | Race 8 | Post Time 3:47 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs

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In the Lee (#2) is a deserving favorite as she drops out of the Grade 3 Commonwealth Oaks. That day, she finished just behind Rymska, who returned to impressively take Aqueduct’s Winter Memories Stakes last month. This move back into optional-claiming company is certainly a drop in class, and I wouldn’t argue with anyone who asserts that she is the most likely winner of this race. However, my only reservation with picking her on top is the probable lack of value. She’s even-money on the morning line and could drift lower than that by post time.

I’ll certainly use In the Lee in multirace wagers, but I would much rather bet on her main rival, TARALENA (#3).

This 4-year-old filly has had a few starts and stops in her 2017 campaign, but she’s pretty good when she’s right. Her return from the layoff back in May was a much better effort than it appears since she was hounded by a hopeless longshot through the opening furlongs – the pair opening up nearly 10 lengths on the rest of the field early. She did well to put that rival away and still hold off the closers in the stretch. She’s been given plenty of time since then, and she’s already shown that she can run well fresh. Furthermore, this turnback to nine furlongs may be to her liking.

THE PLAY

Win: 3

Trifecta: 2,3 with 2,3 with 5,6,7

Trifecta: 3 with 5,7 with 2