Aqueduct | Race 6 | Post Time 2:16 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up 

This optional claimer is one of the most wide open races of the day, as you can make valid cases for almost every runner in the field. Among the short prices, I don’t want Nabokov (#6), who was opportunistic last time when taking advantage of a fast pace to win on the turnback. I’m still not convinced that added distance helps him, and this is a big step up in class. The other two likely short prices are a bit more convincing. 

Kinetic Sky (#8) was always going to be a stretch to get the 1 3/16 miles last time in that off the turf affair, but he actually ran quite well to only miss by a nose after going wide on the turns. This turnback in distance should suit him, and I view him as the horse to beat. I would also use War Stopper (#3), who won at this level in an off the turf race last time out, though his solid recent form has come over sloppy tracks. Bill Mott has entered a pair of contenders in this race who both sport interesting profiles. 

Will Sing for Wine (#2) ran poorly behind War Stopper last time, but he had a right to need that race in his return from a lengthy layoff. He should appreciate getting back on a fast track and will be a factor if he can bounce back to any of his prior efforts. 

The Mott horse that most intrigues me is FOUNDER (#5). I’ve never been much of a fan of this horse racing on the turf, even though that’s where he’s spent the majority of his recent races. He just lacks the acceleration or turn of foot necessary to be successful in turf races. While he was considered a disappointment on the dirt after winning his debut so impressively as a 2-year-old, I actually think he ran well in a few starts after that. That third-place finish behind Mandaloun and Twilight Blue looks a lot better in retrospect, and his second-place to Wolfie’s Dynaghost in his last dirt start over a year ago was one of the best efforts of his career. I’m not sure that he’s going to get that much pace in here, but I do think he’s finally back in a spot where he can be successful.

THE PLAY

WIN: #5 Founder, at 7-2 or greater

USE: 2,8