El Areeb established himself as a Kentucky Derby prospect when he romped by 11 1/4 lengths in the Jerome Stakes last Monday at Aqueduct. Pressing the pace, he took the fight out of front-running favorite Takaful, pulled away on the turn to win with ease, and recorded a 91 Beyer Speed Figure, one of the better route dirt figures by a 2-year-old of 2016.

Aqueduct | Race 5 | Post Time 2:20 p.m. (ET) | Go To The TimeformUS PPs 

Race 1

Carolina Courage (#4)

Only finished four lengths behind Thursday’s favorite despite encountering trouble two back.

May have disliked the wet track last time.

Is a half-sister to Night Madam, who won her maiden going two turns on the inner track.

4-1 on ML

Race 4

Quien Sabe (#3)

Ran into eventual Albany Stakes winner Hit It Once More in his only dirt route.

Flashlight

Trainer: Tim Glyshaw
Last race: Dec. 29, 7th
Finish: 2^nd by 4
Beyer: 87

This is a 6-year-old with plenty of racing, but man was he keyed up in this race. Pulled very, very hard while locked in behind talented, slow-pacesetting leader (and winner) December Seven much of the trip. The race was run in negative splits, and after his early exertions, he did well to finish better than will immediately be apparent from his form.

Wild Winter

Trainer: Ron G. Potts Jr.

Last race: Dec. 17, 4^th

Finish: 3^rd by 4 1/2

Beyer: 64

KRISTI Q
Trainer:  Patrick Quick
Last race:  Dec. 30, 1st 
Finish:  3rd by 1
Beyer:  51
Two-year-old filly by Freud raced very greenly and was looking a little lost early on in debut, before leveling off with a good run at the end. 

LUCKY LOTTO
Trainer:  Michelle Nevin
Last race:  Dec. 30, 5^th
Finish:  4th by 6 3/4
Beyer:  73

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.

Santa Anita

Grade 1 American Oaks

1/2          124

3/4          127

Fin           115

Top 3:  Decked Out 114, Sassy Little Lila 118, Lady Valeur 116

Note:  Game effort from runner-up carving strong pace only to get nipped late; all 12 horses in the field ran at least 110 TimeformUS Speed Figure.

BRAINSPIN
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Dec. 30, 5th
Finish: 2^nd by 2 1/2
Beyer: 77
This front-runner dueled though fast pace in a minor stakes, shook off her rivals, and got collared by a closer. Improving speedster is eligible to second allowance condition.

Dec. 31

Santa Anita

Midnight Lute (race 3)

Aqueduct | Race 3 | Post Time 1:20 p.m. (ET) | Go To The TimeformUS PPs