Sunday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: He’smyhoneybadger capable of better back with Atras

Aqueduct | Race 7 | Post Time 4:32 p.m. (ET)

Morning-line favorite Accretive (#1) would be an even stronger favorite in here had he been coming directly off his Vosburgh and Forty Niner efforts three and four back. He’s run well in graded stakes company a number of times and is clearly the horse to beat off those efforts. Even recently he finished within 1 1/2 lengths of champion Cody's Wish. However, his last couple of races have been disappointing, even though he's had some excuses. He was wide against a rail bias in the Cigar Mile and then last time he never had great position in the Fred Hooper, always parked outside. I still thought he could have run a little better in both spots, but now he’s getting class relief. He’s 3 for 3 in non-stakes events, so this drop may be all he needs to get back to the winner's circle. He also should appreciate this return to the NYRA circuit.

Maker’s Candy (#6) could also take money in this spot, but he’s a real question mark after getting eased last time. His form had been on the ascent through the second half of last year. He showed real grit to battle for hard-fought victories in December and January before moving back up into stakes company last time. Based on his past performances, coming off Lasix shouldn’t have been a major issue since he had run well in stakes before. Yet he never traveled well in that Haynesfield, and was eased out of the race halfway through. It’s a good sign that he's returning with no layoff, showing some quick works since then. Yet some questions remain after such a perplexing non-effort.

Bold Endeavor (#2) just barely lost to Maker’s Candy when they met on Jan. 27, earning an excellent 119 TimeformUS Speed Figure for his effort. He was claimed out of that spot and has been off for a couple of months since then. Yet Linda Rice is 11 for 42 (26%, $2.54 ROI) first off the claim in allowance dirt routes over 5 years, and has been on a roll in the past week. He will be a major factor if he holds his form for this barn.

My top pick is He’smyhoneybadger (#4). He looks overmatched based on his recent results, since his form really came apart after getting claimed by David Jacobson last year. Interestingly, he was claimed away from Rob Atras for $62,500 in October, but Atras claimed him back for $80k last time despite his less-than-stellar recent form. He did run two of his better races for Rob Atras, including when he just missed with a 110 TimeformUS Speed Figure last fall. He finished in a photo with Bold Journey, who then won stakes and placed in a prestigious event overseas. This 6-year-old has primarily sprinted during his career, but he did route successfully as a younger horse. He possesses dangerous tactical speed, and it would be no surprise if he rebounds getting back into this barn.