Aqueduct | Race 8 | Post Time 5:06 p.m. (ET) | TimeformUS PPs are now available on DRF.com. Go to PPs 

This race loses a lot of appeal with the heavy favorite Zandon scratching. Now the two interesting price options that I highlighted will be among the shorter prices. I have to upgrade Uncle Moonlight (#1), who might now be the horse to beat after scratches. He has dangerous early speed from teh rail and has run well over wet tracks in the past. Galt (#6) showed hints of talent last year, and did earn a victory over a muddy track in his 3-year-old finale. His return at Gulfstream was somewhat lackluster, but that race featured a slow pace that worked against him. He has a right to do better here.

My top pick is Tonal Impact (#8). Some may view him as being a cut below this field since he’s been competing at Aqueduct through the winter. However, he’s maintained strong form since being claimed by the Linda Rice barn. I just think his connections made a slight error in judgment by targeting longer races with him. He has a nice turn of foot in his arsenal, but that finishing speed tends to get muted when he’s asked to go 9 furlongs and beyond. We saw that clearly in his 1 3/8 miles attempt two back, when he hung badly through the stretch after making an early move. I love this turnback to one-mile, but some speed scratched out and the price won’t be nearly as appealing after scratches.