Aqueduct | Race 6 | Post Time 2:39 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up 

Slow Crossing (#8) could go favored after winning her debut at Belmont. She lacked some early speed getting into stride despite a hustling ride, but responded when put to serious pressure while angling wide off the turn. There were some big gaps behind her in a strung-out field, so she may have run well even if there wasn’t much behind her. She’s bred to have ability as a half-sister to solid New York-bred performers Too Early ($218k) and John’s Island ($413k). The only slight negative is that she’s offered for a tag once again even after that solid debut victory. 

I prefer her to Rudy’s other runner Saratoga Kisses (#6), who beat an awful field when she broke her maiden. No More Mischief (#3) could also attract support but she comes out of a slower race for Todd Pletcher. Lady Milagro (#4) is a bit more interesting at a square price since she has run deceptively well in a few of her defeats and has a chance to improve returning to dirt.

My top pick is Finger Lakes maiden winner ROOSKI (#9). This filly began her career on turf, putting in a series of respectable efforts against NY-bred maiden special weight foes. She switched to dirt at Finger Lakes last time and delivered a solid 78 TimeformUS Speed Figure while winning easily by 7 lengths. While she’s by good turf influence Tourist, her damside pedigree is geared more towards dirt. The Jeremiah Englehart barn had been quiet at NYRA for the past few months, but he is 9 for 21 (43%, $3.98 ROI) with last-out maiden winners in NYRA dirt sprints over the past 5 years.

THE PLAY

Win: 9

Exacta Key Box: 9 with 3,4,8

Trifecta: 9 with 4,8 with 3,4,6,8