Thursday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Slight class relief should suit Violent Vixen

Aqueduct | Race 3 | Post Time 2:20 p.m. (ET)

If both halves of the Rick Dutrow entry run in this $50k claimer, the pair figures to go favored. Everyloveslinda (#1A) will be considered the stronger half by many as she makes her first start off the claim for the new barn. She was a vet scratch on Feb. 4 when entered in a more ambitious optional claimer, and now returns two and a half months after being acquired by this barn. She’s a contender here based on her prior form, but it’s not as if she’s a standout from a class or speed figure standpoint, so the hope is that she improves for the Dutrow barn. I just expected this entry to offer poor value, since I’m actually more intrigued by Dame Cinco (#1), whose price will get dragged down by her aforementioned stablemate. Dame Cinco run a race two back that makes her very competitive against this field, chasing home subsequent stakes winner Security Code. Her last effort was disappointing, but she caught a sloppy track, which she just doesn’t seem to appreciate.

I would rather lean towards the individual betting interests. Among those Taming the Tigress (#2) might be the horse to beat as she drops in class. She has run reasonably well against tougher optional claiming foes in recent starts despite not getting ideal trips. She was ridden down to a dead rail when attempting to rally on Jan. 11. She then caught a slow pace two back, and may have been ridden too aggressively last time. I think this is the right level for her, but she does need pace to set up her late run.

Others to consider include I’m Buzzy (#4), who rides a three-race win streak into this affair. I just wonder if she really classes up with this group after beating weaker competition in most of her starts. It Takes Heart (#5) is an intriguing new face also coming off a victory. Yet we haven’t seen her since the end of July at Saratoga, and she’s been a vet scratch twice since then while attempting to get back to the races.

My top pick is Violent Vixen (#7), who returns to the NYRA circuit after a string of efforts in Maryland. This mare had plenty of success at Aqueduct early in her career, achieving all 3 of her lifetime victories over this surface. After she won her N1X allowance condition in late 2022, her connections apparently decided to keep her in protected spots out of town where the N2X allowance level is theoretically softer than at NYRA. However, she caught some pretty tough rivals in a few of her recent starts at Laurel, including 10-time winner Anonymously and 9-time winner My Flicker, who have both been in great form. She’s getting subtle class relief as she drops in for the $50k tag. I also like the outside post position for a mare who does her best running when she can get forward and stay in the clear. That has been an issue in a few of her recent starts, but she should have a better trip coming this time.