Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Peak of Chic rounding back into form

Aqueduct | Race 6 | Post Time 3:50 p.m. (ET)

Bedtime Story (#3) finished well ahead of Pam Pam (#6) when they met at this level on March 15, but the latter appeared to have a significant excuse. Pam Pam had only just stepped into the gate when the starter sprung the latch, barely giving the assistant starter to time to get into position and out of Pam Pam's way. One could argue that Pam Pam should have been declared a non-starter, but the stewards didn't even post an inquiry. She was off slowly and that was probably a legitimate excuse for a filly who has done best when she's forwardly placed. She now makes her first start off the claim for Rick Dutrow, but my problem is that I just wasn't thrilled with her form even prior to that last race.

Bedtime Story did run pretty well off the layoff in that same spot, but I have some concerns about her long-term prospects given the extended layoff into that race.

I like the drop in class for Valentine Gift (#5), who has been facing slightly tougher company at the New York-bred allowance level in her last couple of starts. She just lacks any early speed, and I don't see much pace in this field to set up her late run. I would still want to use her at a square price.

My top pick is Peak of Chic (#7), who possesses much more early speed than that rival. She figures to get sent forward from this outside post to challenge Bedtime Story, and the Pace Projector suggests she might even be naturally quicker than that foe. She lost at a lower level than this last time at Parx, but she was defeated by a rival who has been in great form, winning 3 of her last 4 starts. Peak of Chic has been in against some tougher company in her races prior to that, and she appears to be landing at the right level as she returns to New York. It's been a little while since she was at her peak, but she's run well on this circuit before and should have a good trip coming.