LOUISVILLE, Ky. – After raising some eyebrows for the wrong reasons during training hours at Churchill Downs the previous two mornings, Always Dreaming did so again for all the right ones on Friday, when topping a group of eight prospective Kentucky Derby starters to work on a calm but crisp morning under the twin spires.
Belmont | Race 8 | Post Time 5:13 p.m. (ET) | Go to the FREE TimeformUS PPs
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We didn’t file a column last week because we were wrapped up doing video and looking at tons of horses in the OBSAPR sale, and the thought of that is somewhat exhausting. Sorry ‘bout that. As for our April 15thPick, let it be said that Fast Mama is probably the most inappropriate name to have been hung on that filly. During the past week, however, 13 BreezeFigs 3-year-old maidens scored their initial victories, some at tracks which are just a bit off the beaten path.
Race 6:
Epping Forest (#12)
Was hindered by a wide trip and a slow pace last time.
Should appreciate the turnback to a sprint distance.
The Pace Projector is predicting she will get a fast pace to close into.
3-1 on ML
Race 8:
Candid Desire (#11)
The Pace Projector is predicting he will get a very fast pace to close into.
Ran better than it appears last time after going wide around the turn.
Has maintained excellent form all winter.
8-1 on ML
Beginning with the Friday print edition and online at DRF.com, Daily Racing Form will publish TimeformUS Early and Late Speed Ratings in all domestic past performances.
The TimeformUS Early Speed Rating is designed to measure where horses are likely to be positioned after a half-mile. The TimeformUS Late Speed Rating attempts to identify horses that will be running the fastest late.
Today’s edition contains for the first time the inclusion of TimeformUS Early and Late Ratings in DRF past performances. Peter Thomas Fornatale spoke with Craig Milkowski, the figure-maker for TimeformUS, about how to best use the ratings.
What’s the idea behind the inclusion of the TFUS early and late ratings in the DRF PPs?
Each week, TimeformUS Chief Figure Maker Craig Milkowski takes a look back at the weekend’s graded stakes and releases the TimeformUS Speed Figures for these races.
Keeneland
Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes
1/2 150
1m 141
Fin 124
Top 3: Itsinthepost 125, Charming Kitten 122, Bigger Picture 123
Note: All fractions red in TimeformUS PPs, indicating fast pace; winner has taken last two starts, both Grade 2’s at 1 1/2 miles
Grade 3 Doubledogdare Stakes
MAKE IT A TRIPLE
Trainer: Mike Machowsky
Last race: April 20, race 2
Finish: Fourth by six lengths
Beyer: 73
A maiden-50 second-time starter, he broke from rail, was hard-held inside while full of run, had to wait, got discouraged and sputtered. Follow next time, with an outside post.
LUCKY SOUL
Trainer: Mike McCarthy
Last race: April 20, race 8
Finish: Fourth by 4 1/2 lengths
Beyer: 75
Little Christy
Trainer: Mike DePaulo
Last race: April 21, 1st
Finish: 2nd by 2 1/4
Beyer: 72
An unbeaten front-runner at 2, she was rated on the outside in fourth before closing for second behind a classy older rival in an Ontario-sired allowance. Her new-found tactical speed should be an asset going forward.
City Boy
Trainer: Mike Keogh
Last race: April 21, 8th
