Thursday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Anita Partner should appreciate stretching out in New York debut

Belmont Park | Race 4 | Post Time 3:09 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs

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The two runners likely to attract most of the attention are In the Lee (#4) and Pas de Soucis (#5). The former is a deserving favorite after finishing second to the talented Inflexibility in her 4-year-old debut last time out. This filly showed promise last season and figures to take a step forward in her second start off the layoff. Furthermore, she has early speed, which should be an asset in this small field. Pas de Soucis made an encouraging U.S. debut last fall, beating an allowance field at Saratoga as the favorite. However, her absence since that start is of some concern as she now resurfaces in the stable of Jorge Abreu. It’s possible that she will have to improve to defeat In the Lee, which may be a tall order coming off the layoff.

I’m using both of these fillies, but my top selection is the new face, ANITA PARTNER (#6).

Watching all of Anita Partner’s recent California starts, it’s clear that she’s had some subtle trouble on a number of occasions. Things did not go right in her two recent starts down the hill, as she was reserved too far off a slow pace last time and lost her momentum when steadying in traffic two back. She had been in very good form last year, and I don’t mind this stretch-out in distance. In fact, a one-turn mile may be perfect for her. Some may view the switch out of Jeff Mullins’s barn as a negative, but I’m not sure that this is actually much of a trainer switch, given that she was training at Santa Anita as recently as two weeks ago.

THE PLAY

Win: 6

Exacta Key Box: 6 with 4,5

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