Wednesday’s TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Desirous should be fitter in second start off the layoff

Aqueduct | Race 4 | Post Time 3:05 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs

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No Need to Appeal (#7) is obviously the horse to beat. Not only was she facing a much stronger field in her debut at Gulfstream than the one she meets today, but she actually didn't run that badly in closing to finish fifth. With routine second-out improvement, she is supposed to win this race. However, these Chad Brown horses are routinely overbet in situations like this, so I wonder if this filly could drop into underlay territory.

While No Need to Appeal is the most likely winner, I'm most interested in a runner who could get somewhat overlooked in the wagering.

DESIROUS (#5) figures to improve in her second start off the layoff for Danny Gargan after a difficult trip last time. She was off slowly and squeezed back at the start, costing her several lengths. From there, she did well to quickly get herself back into a tracking position along the rail. However, she got caught in behind some tiring runners heading around the far turn, losing valuable momentum. She got clear at the quarter pole, but the winner, who had ridden an inside speed bias, was already long gone by that point. Considering that it was Desirous’s first start around two turns, it was a pretty encouraging effort, and I think she'll have more to offer here.

THE PLAY

Win/place: 5
Trifecta: 5, 7 with 5, 7 with 1, 3 ,6