The Dangers of Speed

This horse may hold the key to today’s fourth race at Belmont Park, as the early speed ration she earned on May 19 was ridiculously good — and I do mean “ridiculously.” A -23 ESR is incredibly rare, and HONEY MONEY even bobbled at the break that day! She will almost certainly go slower today, but how much slower? Solid “gate rider” Manny Franco is in the saddle, and this daughter of sprinter Central Banker recorded a -15 ESR in her previous one-mile try.

This is important because most of today’s top contenders are also frontrunners—but not as fast as Honey Money. In fact, the only true closer is MOVIE MOXIE, though DANCING SOPHIA, who has leaped forward under the tutelage of trainer Chris Englehart, arguably has the best running style, having sat off fast fractions before to win.

The problem is, she’s been away from the races for over two months, begging the question: Is she still in the form she was before the break?

By the numbers, KNOW IT ALL AUDREY looks best, but can she relax with a projected ESR of -12?

The odds will be telling.

Author: DDS