Saturday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Bold Endeavor rounding back into best form

Aqueduct | Race 7 | Post Time 2:54 p.m. (ET)

Maker’s Candy (#6) is obviously the horse to beat in this optional claimer as he comes in off the best performance of his career. That 116 TimeformUS Speed Figure is among the top numbers any of these horses have achieved in their careers, and he defeated a strong rival in Drake’s Passage that day. However, he did get a very good trip, setting a controlled pace and finishing strongly in a race dominated up front. He has a chance to make it three in a row, but the waters are getting deeper and he figures to be a short price again.

His main rival might be Trafalgar (#8), who should appreciate stretching back out in distance for Linda Rice. Based on his prior form, turning all the way back to 6 furlongs didn’t make much sense last time, and indeed he ran out of real estate in a race that featured a slow pace. He had run pretty well two back closing for third at this level, and he was compromised by a speed bias when he went a mile prior to that. Stretching out suits him, though his lack of early speed is a minor concern in a race that doesn’t feature that much pace.

My top pick is Bold Endeavor (#7). This horse had a legitimate excuse two back when he was out of position every step of the way and couldn’t make up ground after getting mired in kickback. He rebounded with a much better performance last time, and probably would have won if not for some traffic in upper stretch. That 114 TimeformUS Speed Figure stacks up well against this field. He has the prior form to contend at this level, and he might just be heading in the right direction now for Gustavo Rodriguez.