Aqueduct | Race 7 | Post Time 4:09 p.m. (ET)   The horse to beat in this statebred allowance/optional claiming race appears to be Mighty Atlas (#7), who has finally come back around to top form for Mike Miceli. He was pretty disappointing in his first couple of starts for the new barn when claimed from Mike Maker late last year, but he seemed to rebound last time. He had some trouble at the start of that race, getting squeezed back to last out of the chute before steadily advancing down the backstretch. He ultimately proved no match for dominant winner Quick to Accuse, but he stayed on well for second, earning a 111 TimeformUS Speed Figure. A repeat of that number would make him tough for this field to beat.   The class of the field is Whittington Park (#1), who drops out of a series of stakes events to race for the $45,000 optional claiming tag here. His recent form leaves a lot to be desired, as he has lacked his typical strong finish ever since winning the Haynesfield over a year ago. He also has been dropping far back early in his races, which could be a concern here, especially if the pace fails to develop. He fits well against this field from a class standpoint, but I wouldn't want to take a short price him, especially as part of a coupled entry.   Jamie Ness sends out an uncoupled pair, led by recent stable addition Amedeus Music (#2). Ness has outstanding statistics first off a trainer switch in dirt routes over five years, winning with 18 of 52 starters, a 35 percent win rate for a $2.95 ROI. This horse ran poorly last time and apparently hasn’t been with Ness for that long, having just been entered and scratched for his former trainer a couple of weeks ago. He's capable on his best day, but his tendency to break slowly is a concern, especially from this inside post. My top pick is B D Saints (#8), who returns to the NYRA circuit after facing two open company fields at Oaklawn Park earlier this winter. He caught a particularly tough group two back and his trip did him no favors, getting caught four-wide on the first turn before fading. He was ridden more aggressively last time but couldn't keep pace with the top two, chasing three-wide over a track that appeared to favor speed and horses with inside position. He ran deceptively well in his most recent start at this level on Jan. 16, getting rank behind a slow pace and still staying on for third. I like him turning back to a mile, since he's had more success going one turn on the dirt. He drew well outside and should be a fair price given his deceiving recent form.