Sunday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Charging Aero rounding back into form for new connections

Aqueduct | Race 7 | Post Time 4:20 p.m. (ET)

He's not my top pick but I'm very interested to see what we get from Excellent Timing (#8) in this $15k claimer. This former accomplished sprinter has been steadily dropping down the class ladder over the last year, and his performances seemed to keep getting worse through the winter. Therefore it was surprising to see him attract so much public support last time, getting hammered down to 2-1 despite possessing inferior recent form. He was making his second start off the claim for Rudy Rodriguez, and there clearly was an expectation that he would turn things around for the new barn. It didn't pan out on the racetrack, as he got squeezed back at the start, and he can't be successful without the lead. Now he adds blinkers and draws outside, so he should have a clear shot at the front end. I can't fully trust him, and I'm worried he'll take too much money again, but I do think he's a serious threat to wire this field.

I'm less afraid of Jake Rocks (#6), who could vie for favoritism in this spot. He has generally been in good form over the last year, but he just rarely wins races these days. He ran pretty well at this level off the claim for Michelle Nevin last time, but he got a good trip and was unable to produce a stretch kick despite having every chance at the winner.

I would much rather take Charging Aero (#7) out of that same race. He finished a couple of lengths behind Jake Rocks, but I thought he didn't get as comfortable a trip. He broke from the inside and raced in a pocket behind horses, searching for room approaching the stretch before ultimately flattening out late. He strikes me as a horse that's more comfortable racing outside, so he gets a better draw here. He also seems like he's rounding back into better form after a couple of less-than-stellar efforts for a different barn earlier this winter. Ilkay Kantarmaci has had success with new acquisitions, especially for these owners.