Thursday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Central Casting tries winners for new barn
Aqueduct | Race 5 | Post Time 3:08 p.m. (ET)
The Roddy Valente entry figures to go favored here with D’s a Rock (#1) clearly sporting the best overall form of anyone in this field. She won her debut against maiden claimers, but was immediately thrust into stakes company where she ran respectably against far tougher fields than this one. She did well to hold on for fifth two back after contesting a quick pace. Then last time she got an uncomfortable journey in the Fifth Avenue division of the New York Stallion Series. She backed out of an early duel and then got shuffled back on the turn before staying on late. She’s the horse to beat, but it is noteworthy that she’s entered for a tag here. It’s just a little strange that she's being risked for $50k when she’s eligible for the starter condition. She also drew inside with other speed breaking outside of her.
Double Airo (#5) could be a potential pace rival. She achieved her maiden victory against weaker maiden claimers, but she ran a lot better than the result indicates when she stepped up against winners last time. She was part of a contested early duel, setting fast fractions over a Parx main track that was yielding very slow times. She did well to hang on for third as the race totally fell apart. Cutting back to six furlongs suits her, but she’s another who has to avoid an early pace duel.
My top pick is Central Casting (#4), who also broke her maiden in gate-to-wire fashion, though she’s shown more versatility in prior starts. This filly obviously needed her debut where she got away poorly and was never involved. She put in a much stronger effort at a big price second time out. She rushed up after a slow start, then had to wait while racing in traffic, and stayed on gamely despite having to alter course in the stretch. That form was flattered when winner Nilo’s Rose came back to win an allowance race in her next start. Central Casting put it all together last time when she finally broke cleanly and finished powerfully to maintain her advantage late. She now switches into the Jamie Ness barn for her first attempt against winners. She fits well with this group, and should be able to adapt to a stalking trip again if need be.