Wednesday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Nouvelle Vague should be fitter in her second start off the layoff

Aqueduct | Race 6 | Post Time 2:47 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs

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The horse to beat is Frosty Lady (#4), who is coming off two solid performances against New York-bred company. She put in an exceptional effort two back when she had a wide trip and was second at Saratoga, and then she lost nothing in defeat last time when soundly beaten by the vastly improved La Moneda. She may have to come from a bit farther back in the pack this time, since the Pace Projector is predicting a fast pace. However, her versatile running style should serve her well.

I'll use the likely favorite, but the horse that I want to bet in this spot is NOUVELLE VAGUE (#6).

This mare raced sparingly for Chad Brown when first arriving in this country, though she did run well enough to be competitive at this level on a few occasions. Claimed by Linda Rice for Gainesway Stable back in April, she was given an extended layoff before racing for these new connections. Her last race seems like a classic Linda Rice prep. She had been given only one workout in over a month prior to that start, and she ran like a horse that wasn't quite fit, running off the lead before fading. It was no disgrace losing to a talented filly like In the Lee, and now she gets some minor class relief. I expect her to revert to a more patient running style this time.

THE PLAY

Win: 6
Exacta Key Box: 6 with 1,3,4,8