Thursday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Any Questions can make it two in a row

Belmont | Race 3 | Post Time 2:37 p.m. (ET) | Go to the FREE TimeformUS PPs

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The runner they have to beat is Astounding (#5), who moves back up in class after avoiding a potential claim in his most recent start. He was dominant that day, settling in midpack early before unleashing a powerful stretch kick that carried him to a clear victory. The only knock against him is that he doesn't figure to get as much pace to close into this time. The other logical horse many will turn to is Kantune, but I'm against this Mark Casse trainee. He was helped by a fast pace last time over a boggy course, and his prior turf efforts are not quite good enough.

Instead, I'm trying to beat both with ANY QUESTIONS (#7).

This horse faced some stiff competition in maiden special weight company in his initial turf starts. He was finally dropped in for a tag last time and responded with a win. While that came in a $40,000 claiming race, that field came up tougher than the tag would suggest. Third-place finisher Harlan's Hunch returned to nearly win a $75,000 maiden claimer in his next start. Furthermore, Bill Mott has excellent numbers in this situation. According to DRF Formulator, over the past five years, Mott is 23 for 87 (26 percent, $3.19 ROI) with horses coming off maiden wins in turf routes.

THE PLAY

Win: 7

Trifecta: 5,7 with 5,7 with ALL

Trifecta: 5,7 with ALL with 5,7