Aqueduct | Race 7 | Post Time 2:36 p.m. (ET) Bold Ambition (#9) figures to vie for favoritism in this $25k conditioned claimer after finishing second at this level in his most recent start. He lost as the 4-5 favorite that day, but was pretty game in defeat, battling back inside of Vinsanity, who would go on to finish 10th when overmatched in the Cigar Mile. Bold Ambition’s 92 TimeformUS Speed Figure represented a rebound from a poor performance against tougher company two back. He’s been a popular claim recently, changing hands in each of his last three starts, and going out for his fifth different trainer in just his seventh lifetime start. This time he’s in the barn of Michelle Nevin, who is 6 for 41 (15%, $2.05 ROI) first off the claim on dirt over five years. He also makes his first start as a new gelding, and with his speed is well drawn towards the outside.  I prefer Bold Ambition to the Linda Rice entry, which could take a similar amount of money. Both Timaeus (#1) and Six Kings (#1A) are tough to trust, but they’re likely to attract support as a pair. Timaeus has shown a little more on the racetrack, but he was pretty disappointing in his lone start for Rice back in June, and now returns from a layoff dropping in class. I’m not sure that the rail draw will suit this long-striding gelding. Six Kings is another who looks like he might want more ground, as a plodding deep closer. He did sit closer to the pace when he achieved his maiden victory two back, but the early fractions are likely to be much quicker here.  D Day Sky (#11) is a little more interesting at a bigger price. He was in strong form when initially acquired by his former connections at auction last spring, but seemed to get discouraged when overmatched against allowance company over the summer. He failed to run well at Parx two back, and then was very disappointing when dropped in class to this level last time. However, he didn’t get the right trip that day, as he broke a step slowly and then rushed up to lead through quick fractions. He paid the price, late, fading to fifth, but the performance isn’t as bad as it looks. Now he’s drawn outside again and should have an opportunity to get a more patient ride. My top pick is Scat Tu Tap (#8). This horse has spent most of his career on turf, where he would fit at this level. He’s 0 for 4 on dirt, but most of those performances came early in his career when he was still a maiden. He did earn a competitive 91 TimeformUS Speed Figure on dirt back in 2023, and then didn’t get back on that surface until last time. Dropped to this level and cut back to 6 1/2 furlongs, he showed uncharacteristic early speed to chase the pace before staying on for third. He only earned an 86 TimeformUS Speed Figure, but galloped out strongly like a horse looking for more ground. I like him stretching out to a mile here, and he should be a fair price for a low-profile but highly capable trainer.