Thursday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Cupids Girl finds softer field in second start

Aqueduct | Race 5 | Post Time 2:18 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

Glitter Up (#1) took a big step forward with the switch to turf last time, which shouldn’t come as a major surprise given her pedigree. She’s a half-sister to multiple turf winners Sand Dancer ($311k) and Shock Leader ($220k), though some other siblings handled both surfaces. She met a pretty good rival in Radio Days in her dirt debut, and seemed more professional overall second time out, showing speed before getting caught at the wire. I just don’t see the value in taking this horse at a relatively short price off turf form.

The one switching surfaces who I prefer is Champagne Poetry (#3). She took some notable action on the tote board in her debut to get bet all the way down to 5-2. She was a step slow into stride and then raced in traffic heading into the far turn before getting spun very wide approaching the quarter pole. She finished well all things considered, and the switch to dirt shouldn’t bother her at all. Carpe Diem is a versatile sire, and she has mostly dirt pedigree on the dam’s side, as the dam is a half-sister to Grade 2 Peter Pan winner Madefromlucky. She makes plenty of sense, but my top pick is another second-time starter.

CUPIDS GIRL (#7) put in an encouraging effort on debut here in late November. She broke very slowly but quickly got herself back into the race on the backstretch. She advanced willingly while following rivals on the far turn, and briefly had to wait for room in upper stretch before switching outside. This filly finished gamely once she got into the clear, displaying some ability despite losing by over 11 lengths. That was a strong field for the level, headed by impressive debut winner Send for Me. She probably isn’t facing a rival that talented this time, and she certainly has room for improvement.

THE PLAY

Win: 7

Exacta: 7 with 1,3,5

Trifecta: 7 with 3 with 1,2,5,6