Aqueduct | Race 8 | Post Time 3:43 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up 

Though I’m not convinced he’ll be the favorite, I do think Unique Unions (#4) is the horse to beat. He put in a pretty encouraging effort last time in his first attempt at this level. The pace of that race was extremely fast, and he did well to chase down the leader before getting swallowed up by closers. This gelding has been steadily improving for months now, and appears to be coming into this in razor sharp form for a barn that has been having a bit of a renaissance as of late. He may not be quite as naturally fast as some others, but the apprentice figures to leave for early position. 

Sheriff Bianco (#7) could go favored off his 11-length victory on the switch to dirt last time. Linda Rice decided to keep him in that off the turf affair despite entering this horse for grass, and that decision proved revelatory. He wasn’t beating a field nearly as good as this one, but he ran an awfully fast race. He doesn’t need to be in front, as he displayed last time, and is drawn well outside. Yet I’m actually a little more interested in Linda Rice’s other runner. 

FOOLISH GHOST (#3) is most dangerous when he can shake loose on the front end. That didn’t happen in either of his last two starts, as he got outrun to the lead by some extremely fast foes both times. He actually ran pretty well against open company two back, but was seemingly discouraged last time, fading badly in the stretch He won at this level three back at Belmont when he was able to get the lead, and he might be able to get to the front here, since he’s faster than Unique Unions and doesn’t figure to get too much pressure from his stablemate. 

The wild card in this field is Advanced Strategy (#8), who finally returns to dirt for the first time since the winter of 2021. He actually ran quite well in his last couple of dirt starts, particularly on Feb. 13 when he overcame a rail bias. However, his recent turf form is somewhat inconsistent and the turnback to 6 furlongs might not be ideal.

THE PLAY

WIN: #3 Foolish Ghost, at 7-2 or greater

USE: 4,8