Etude is the logical and deserving favorite entering today’s Federico Tesio at Pimlico, yet New York-bred Belly Rub may be worth a look to jazz up the exotics at a square price.

Belly Rub has made all three lifetime starts at Aqueduct. His debut win in January came at the expense of next-out winners Smokin Warrior and Grand Refer, yet it was his second career start that proved even more impressive.

Breaking from the inside post going six furlongs on Feb. 23, Belly Rub endured a horrendous journey from the very start, and seemed beaten in deep stretch. But Norberto Arroyo was able to swing Belly Rub out for a clear run through the final sixteenth, and the son of Buddha exploded for a neck victory. The time for the race was less than stellar, and the Beyer speed figure was a lowly 62, but the victory was visually remarkable nonetheless.

Belly Rub returned to dominate a state-bred second-level allowance condition in early April, and now makes the jump to stakes company today, as well as trying two turns for the first time.

Jeremy Rose takes the controls for trainer Dove Houghton, marking the fourth different rider for Belly Rub in as many starts. At 10-1 in the morning-line and without the speed figures to matchup on paper with some of these, Belly Rub should remain a decent price, and pose a nice compliment in the exotics to the heavily favored Etude.