Saturday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Clash A. J. gets appropriate class relief

Aqueduct | Race 2 | Post Time 1:49 p.m. (ET)

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Both runners who could vie for favoritism in this $25k conditioned claimer are coming off maiden victories. Central Pride (#7) needed 13 starts to finally graduate last time, but he did win pretty convincingly by nearly six lengths. That 88 TimeformUS Speed Figure certainly puts him in the mix here, as he isn’t meeting the toughest group of winners. However, he figures to be a short price going out for the dangerous combination of Rob Atras and Manny Franco.

I’m less thrilled with the chances of fellow last-out maiden winner Trevor Bardette (#2). This runner took advantage of a minor rail bias when he won last time and was beating a pretty weak field at the bottom level for New York-breds. Both of these horses have speed, so it will be interesting to see if they hook up early.

I see two viable alternatives at better prices. Juggler (#6) is returning from a layoff for Rafael Romero, who has had some success with limited starters in recent months on this circuit. Formerly trained by the currently suspended Juan Vazquez, Juggler broke his maiden here last winter and held his form reasonably well after the barn change at Finger Lakes last fall. He’s realistically placed for his return.

My top pick is CLASH A. J. (#1). Some may be turned off by the low-percentage connections, but this horse has been running competitive races against tougher competition. He did well to close for third against New York-bred allowance horses three back, and then had little chance going a mile next time, a distance that is just too far for him. He was again beaten by a large margin in his most recent start, but he was carried very wide on the far turn while again overmatched against a much tougher field. Now he’s finally dropping down to an appropriate level, and he figures to sit a good trip stalking the two speeds.