Wednesday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Cada Dia Mejor should appreciate switch to turf

Aqueduct | Race 8 | Post Time 4:50 p.m. (ET)

Turf season begins in New York on Wednesday, and though there are only two turf races carded, the finale offers plenty of wagering appeal. I don't want to settle for a short price on Makeyourmoment (#3), who has obviously earned prior turf speed figures that make him one of the contenders. However, I can't say that any of those performances make him a particularly formidable favorite. He's also coming off a layoff, adding more uncertainty to the mix. Doomed (#12) is another layoff runner who could take some money after making one start at Saratoga last summer. He didn't get the smoothest trip, receiving multiple bumps in upper stretch before flattening out. He now returns going longer with Lasix added. It doesn't hurt to pick up Dylan Davis, but he will have to overcome a difficult post position.

Among the likely short prices, Ragazzo d'Oro (#1) is most appealing. He drew the rail so he figures to save more ground than he did in either start at Tampa Bay Downs. He made a wide run after a poor start on debut, and understandably flattened out. Then last time he was commencing a wide rally on the far turn, but got carried out by a bolting rival, essentially getting eliminated from the race. He's better than both of those results, and now picks up Javier Castellano.

One of the most intriguing aspects of these early season turf races is projecting improvement for those trying the surface for the first time. The most attractive of those based on pedigree is Dead Aim (#10), who is out of three-time turf winner My Cara Mia, who has already produced three turf-winning progeny. He hasn't shown much in either dirt start, but he is receiving a jockey upgrade to Ruben Silvera as he gets on what is likely to be his preferred surface.

My top pick is Cada Dia Mejor (#7). He lacks the obvious turf pedigree of some others in this field, but he is by underrated turf influence Big Brown, who gets 11 percent winners from turf route starters. There isn't much turf breeding on the dam's side, but this gelding nevertheless strikes me as one who will take to this surface. He put forth by far his best dirt effort over a sloppy, sealed track on debut, which can sometimes suit horses with turf inclination. He's a leggy horse with good suspension to his stride, and those types generally perform better on grass. He goes out for connections who have enjoyed a productive last few months, and picks up an aggressive rider in a race that features a very murky pace scenario.