TimeformUS Aqueduct Horses in Focus for Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017

Race 1:
Blank Slate (#2)

Is bred to handle extra distance, since her dam was Grade 3-placed going 1 1/2 miles on turf.

Raced greenly when facing a decent field in her debut at Gulfstream.

DRF Formulator Fact: Over the past five years, Chad Brown is 5 for 18 (28 percent, $2.28 ROI) with maidens making their second starts in turf routes off layoffs of 180 days or more.

6-1 on ML

Race 2:
Abdaar (#7)

Appears to be rounding back into form after returning from a layoff earlier this fall.

Projects to offer value as an alternative to the favored entry.

DRF Formulator Fact: Over the past five years, David Jacobson is 19 for 51 (37 percent, $2.81) with last-out winners in dirt routes running for claiming tags of $20,000 or less.

5-1 on ML

:: Get TimeformUS PPs for these races at Aqueduct

Race 4:
Alien Invasion (#5)

The Pace Projector is predicting he will get a fast pace to close into.

Is bred for turf, being by 13 percent grass sire Desert Party out of a dam that has produced two multiple turf winners.

DRF Formulator Fact: Over the past five years, Mike Maker is 10 for 52 (19 percent, $2.30 ROI) with non-maidens running on turf for the first time in routes (7 1/2 furlongs and farther).

10-1 on ML

Race 5:
Combat Controller (#2)

The Pace Projector is predicting a situation favoring runners on or near the lead and he figures to be forwardly placed as he stretches out.

All of his better races have come going longer distances, so this stretch-out should agree with him.

DRF Formulator Fact: Over the past five years, David Jacobson is 13 for 46 (28 percent, $2.31 ROI) second off the claim with horses going from sprints to dirt routes.

5-1 on ML