Thursday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Chocolate Cookie should move forward with clean start

Saratoga | Race 4 | Post Time 2:49 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

Spungie (#5) figures to be the clear favorite as she moves up in class to tackle New York-bred N2X company for the first time. While she was only earning her first turf victory last time out, she had run very well in some tough spots on grass prior to that. She put in a good showing against open company in her career debut over the winter, and two back she was beaten by subsequent stakes winner Runaway Rumour. She finally got that turf win last time and did so in style, drawing off by nearly eight lengths. However, she was facing an inferior field that day, and now she must prove she can deliver against tougher company. Only six runners are entered for turf, but this is a relatively strong field for the level.

Kreesie (#7) is coming off a visually impressive victory at this level last time, though she will have to hold her form for a new barn. And the 3-year-old Mischievous Dream (#2) could be set to step forward after returning with a solid second-place finish going seven furlongs at Belmont.

My top pick is CHOCOLATE COOKIE (#1). This filly makes her second start off a layoff after running deceptively well in her return last time. She stumbled at the start, putting her at the back of the pack early behind a slow pace. All things considered, she did well to close for third in a race where few made up significant ground through the lane. She had shown real promise last year when impressively winning her N1X condition at Belmont, and I think she can challenge Spungie here with a clean break.

THE PLAY

Win: 1
Exacta: 1 with 2, 5, 7
Trifecta: 1 with 5 with 2, 4, 7