TimeformUS horses in focus for Saturday, April 9

RACE 8: EARLY VOTING (#3)

I’m very interested to see how #5 Morello handles the added ground of this Wood Memorial. This colt has been perfect through three career starts, each win seemingly achieved with greater ease than the last. His connections couldn’t have hoped for a better trip in the Gotham, but Morello certainly capitalized, opening up through the final furlong under minimal urging. Yet there’s a big difference between a one-turn mile and a two-turn 9 furlongs, so this is surely the biggest hurdle he’s faced yet. One horse who should have no problems with the distance is #1 Mo Donegal. This Pletcher trainee handled the 1 1/8 miles in the Remsen last year, gamely fending off Zandon in the late stages, albeit while arguably fouling that foe. He was the beaten favorite when he made his sophomore debut in the Holy Bull, but that was never an ideal spot for him. The short stretch at Gulfstream doesn’t suit his running style, and he seemed to lose interest on the turn before hitting his best stride too late. He missed a planned start in March, but he’s apparently training well for this return and must be respected. I’m trying to beat them with #3 Early Voting. This colt took a big step forward in his second start when dominating the Withers on the front end. The track was very dull that day, and he registered some extremely fast TimeformUS Pace Figures, putting away the other speeds as the race fell apart behind him. He was still a little green in the stretch, so there may be more upside here as he gains experience. I expect him to break sharply and be leading main rival Morello into the first turn. I have confidence that he can see out the distance again, even against this tougher field, given the ample stamina he displayed last time.

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RACE 9: MIND CONTROL (#4)

I don’t have a major knock against Carter favorite #8 Speaker’s Corner, other than the fact that he’s going to be an awfully short price despite stepping up against the toughest field he’s met during his 4-year-old campaign. While he earned some flashy speed figures down at Gulfstream, the only horse of any real substance that he beat in those races was Fearless, who isn’t exactly the most formidable opponent. Speaker’s Corner now has to deal with some other speed, so he could be forced to rate. The outside post will help, and he is the most likely winner. Yet I sense that his price may lack value in a race that does include some viable alternatives. I’m trying to beat him with #4 Mind Control. This horse subtly took a big step forward when Todd Pletcher took over his training last year. It appeared like his career might be over after the 2020 season, yet Pletcher got him back to the best form he’s ever achieved. I loved the grit that he displayed in winning both the Nerud and Parx Dirt Mile last year. Unlike Speaker’s Corner, whose greatest asset is his brilliance, this son of Stay Thirsty knows how to win a tussle. Mind Control appears to be training exceptionally well for his 6-year-old debut. He’s been laying down one bullet workout after another, and was easily best in company with stakes winner First Constitution in that March 18 workout. I would also use #1 Reinvestment Risk, who was impressive in victory off the layoff last time, though he gets a major class test as he steps up against top sprinters.

RACE 11: LIFE IS GREAT (#10)

Todd Pletcher holds a strong hand in this Bay Shore, sending out two of the favorites. The #9 Wit was hailed as possibly the best of his generation after an impressive victory in the Sanford last summer. However, he never really panned out after that, losing as the favorite in the Hopeful before disappointing again in the Champagne. He didn’t get the best trip in the latter race, steadied along the rail approaching upper stretch. I think he’s starting back out in the right spot for his 3-year-old debut, as 7 furlongs seems like an appropriate distance. The TimeformUS Pace Projector is also predicting that he’ll get a fast pace head of him. I’m a little worried about the trip for Pletcher’s other runner, #5 Dean’s List. This horse had a lot go his way in the Gotham last time, as the expected fast pace never materialized, allowing him to control on the front end. He did hang on for second, but was no match for Morello and arguably didn’t run any better than the two who finished directly behind him. Among those is #10 Life Is Great. This Bob Klesaris trainee could slip through the cracks here after going off at 46-1 in the Gotham. I thought he ran an admirable race that day, as he made a middle move on the far turn before staying on gamely, finishing just a length behind Dean’s List. The slight turnback to 7 furlongs figures to suit him, and the outside post position should give Eric Cancel plenty of options aboard this stalker. I also respect the last-out debut winner #6 Highly Respected. Chad Brown is asking a lot of his inexperienced colt, but he ran like a horse that belongs at this level first time out.