Aqueduct | Race 4 | Post Time 2:48 p.m. (ET) There are several short prices that I'm not keen to endorse in this starter allowance. Timaeus (#3) might attract support off his career-best 104 TimeformUS Speed Figure last time. Yet he's now been claimed away from Linda Rice by a barn who hasn't had much success off the claim during the last year. He is also being asked to stretch all the way out to 1 1/8 miles off a 6-furlong sprint victory when he's struggled to finish off his prior races at a one-turn mile, let alone this far. Mad Banker (#6) is another who could attract support as he comes in off two claiming victories at Laurel for Jamie Ness. I respect the rise in class for a barn that does well when placing horses ambitiously, but I doubt he gets his preferred frontrunning trip from this post. Berning Beauty (#4) is in reasonably strong form right now, and it's fair to argue that he has faced better fields at this level than the one he meets here. However, he doesn't possess much early speed, and will have to hope the speed comes back to him. The short price that I respect most is Neon Bordeaux (#5), who should have no issues with the distance. This horse debuted going two turns on dirt, so connections have always felt this horse wants to run these longer route distances. He had a trip two back at Turfway before coming to New York, and ran well in his first and only start for Michelle Giangiulio to break his maiden last time. I like that he was more engaged early in that one-mile affair before wearing down the leaders. He now makes his first start off the claim for Rick Dutrow, who is 5 for 19 (26%, $1.89 ROI) making this move in dirt routes over 5 years. He won't have to improve much on that 100 TimeformUS Speed Figure he earned last time. My top pick is Omey Island (#1). The Pace Projector is predicting he will be rating behind a fast pace, but I don't quite see that occurring. He was able to make the lead sprinting, albeit against weaker, two back and should be sent forward from the rail as he stretches out in distance. He had little chance against a tougher field at this level going 6 furlongs last time after getting outrun early. The distance is a major question, but he's bred to handle it. Nyquist is a good dirt route influence, and the dam was best at route distances, even running one of her best races at 9 furlongs on dirt. This horse is also a half-brother to a Dubai-based runner who was stakes-placed at 1 1/4 miles. He strikes me as one that will appreciate the steadier pace of this 9-furlong affair, especially if he gets comfortable up front.