Aqueduct
Aqueduct: Closer Looks for April 10, 2014
Race 1
| No Nukes |
| Hard to overlook 20 consecutive losses but one of his better career efforts was over this Big A main oval last November; has shown fair prompting ability in subsequent efforts during his winter campaign; latest blowout was a distinct upgrade. |
| Kick'n Butt |
| Stayed at the same level following the February claim and turned in a sharp placing thereafter; excellent trainer/jockey combination is a plus and he has progressed nicely since being crushed by Campion Lane in late February; consider. |
| Marlins Wonder |
| New face is encountering a soft group for his first run; the gelding's sire won 4 of 19 starts and 452K (offspring of Patriot Act have scored in 3 of 49 debuts); the dam lost her only race and there are no winning siblings to mention; study the entire slate of trainer stats. |
| Campion Lane |
| In his first try over the Big A main, he rallied well off moderate fractions to secure the place; it was not the fastest field for this low grade yet he should have no problem with the extra sixteenth of a mile today; logical trifecta player. |
| Go Go Gus |
| Makes his first start in the New York bred ranks after disappointing twice in Maryland; earned comparatively good Beyers at the beginning of his career but the main thing to focus on is the steady workout regimen (all drills at five-eighths distance). |
| Essence of a Hero |
| Scheduled to get rid of the blinkers after stopping cold in his first route attempt; had trouble breaking straight and true in his first two efforts and seems to be maturing a bit now; can improve off recent trouncings at healthy odds. - Jim Kachulis |
Race 2
| Quiet Sunshine |
| Tries open claimers while drawing the fence again after fighting back to score over 3 foes in her return to the main track last week; the pace doesn't figure to be so hot so if she breaks well she should be able to control things on the stretchout to this trip; looks like they'll have to run her down to win. |
| Philippis |
| Didn't have much of an impact at a shorter trip in her inner track finale; she draws inside again and don't know if that will encourage her to offer much more early interest; her better numbers from last year came on the lawn and doubt she'll be up to taking the step forward to contend in here. |
| Jewel in the Sky |
| Barn's second runner in here was caught in a wide spot in her return from the freshening and wasn't really beaten all that much at the wire; she was solid beating cheaper 2 back and today's added panel should be to her benefit; bug gets off as she'll switch to a top journeyman pilot; one to consider. |
| Kaitlyns Cat |
| Steps up off a solid score over one of today's rivals who went on to win last week; mare isn't the most consistent sort and she enters this just 2 1/2 weeks off the best number she's run since the fall so she may have trouble getting back to the try here; prefer to side against the repeat. |
| Exclusive Sarah |
| Sheds weight with the switch to a bug while making her first start under this new outfit's care; mare hasn't been very competitive for a while so she'll present a challenge for a barn that excels with its newly acquired runners; have to have blind faith in the outfit to land here in her current form. |
| Taking a Chance |
| Outside drawn gray ships in to make her local debut for an outfit that's profitable with its runners second back from the break; mare starts from a great tracking post and she should be able to secure a nice spot from the bell in a field with little early foot; new face is the one they'll have to beat. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 3
| Naughty Matilda |
| She has only beaten 2 to the wire so far; stakes winning 3 for 17 dam earned over $160K; this is her first to race; miss has trained steadily for this; must pick it up. |
| Sundae School |
| Miss is much better placed for this tag; wide in last 3 efforts, the 2/10 winner repeated in a $40K starter with a 55 Beyer; there are a couple of winners in the family, one won routing, and one banked over $90K; rider has had success for this outfit. |
| Wild Faith |
| Levine 9 for 46 or 20% the last 5 years with 2nd after layoff maiden claimers and 11 ran second; at least he has not been beat umpteen times; dam was unraced; this is her first to race; show horse in the debut graduated next out in a maiden $16K claimer, then was a distant 2nd in a $40K starter; barn rolling, respect. |
| Alice and Trixie |
| Contessa 7 for 85 or 8% the last 5 years with sprint to route maiden claimers; despite the bumping incident, miss tried in last and was nearly 6 clear; connections would love to see her starting acting like top kin, stakes winner and over $200K earner A Rose for You, who was sprint only; love the series of drills since the last effort; look for rider to send hard at the sound of the bell as Honeymooner fans have a vehicle here; |
| Gingee |
| Only beaten a nostril the last time for a tag but she has had her chances; the sibling that won once took a sprint; saddle did slip two back; long overdue. - Brian Mulligan |
Race 4
| Downtown Hottie |
| She shares the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here with Starship Pleasant and feel that this mare can benefit from getting back over turf after making a number of dirt starts; winner from latest won next out here on 3/21 going 6f vs. 30k OPC's with a 74 Beyer and C.V. has won with 10 of 28 (36%) mounts for this barn in 2014. |
| Malibu Queen |
| There really isn't anything in her recent form to help give her a competitive look in this spot and her three starts over turf prior to this haven't been very encouraging; runner up from latest won next out here on 2/9 going 6f vs. 35k N2L claimers with a 65 Beyer. |
| Go Olivia Go |
| She's been at her best racing over dirt in her career, something to consider if this race has to be moved to the main track, but it's difficult to give her a favorable push based on what she's done in her three turf attempts. |
| Imanindianoutlaw |
| She brings some early speed with her, and her turf form hasn't been bad, but it does look like she's better off sprinting than routing; going to look for her to be involved in the running through the opening stages, but others figure to have more to offer through the lane. |
| Tantaliza |
| She's making her first start since the end of December and it looks like she's going to need to find a way to produce a career best performance in order to get over on the top contenders in this one; she has the look of an outsider. |
| Get Gorgeous |
| She's another in here who has been at her best racing over turf in her career, and from six turf starts, she's yet to record a top three finish; winner from latest returned to win next out here on 3/24 going 1m 70y vs. 25k claimers with an 81 Beyer. |
| Ezpz Lemon Squeeze |
| This mare looks like she's heading in the right direction as she gets ready to make her third start back from a layoff, and not only has she done some decent work from 16 starts over turf, but she's recorded a 4-2-1-0 mark over this turf course; must respect. |
| Ascended Fever |
| A little concerned that today's 1 1/16m distance might be pushing her limitations to the maximum, but she has some solid turf form of her card to consider; runner up from latest won next out here on 3/30 going 1m vs. starter alw. rivals with a 69 Beyer. |
| Starship Pleasant |
| She's making her first start for owner/trainer Servis and it's worth noting the success that Servis has been having with horses making making their first start for him after a claim; Ortiz gets his share of live calls from this barn. |
| Haldane |
| There are a few horses in the main body of this race that wouldn't mind seeing this event get moved to the main track, and when considering the distance, this might prove to be a tough spot for this mare to land in. |
| Very Cherry Candy |
| She'll boast the two best last race Beyer Speed Figures if she gets to go in this spot, and like to see that she earned her latest figure over this surface; Pompa-owned miss shows up for a high win percentage barn and she'll have to be respected as a top contender. |
| Guyana Princess |
| She's winless in her last 18 starts going back through 2013 and she will need to find a way to step it up over what she's been doing lately in order to contend; she looks like more of an outsider. - Brian Pochman |
Race 5
| Love's Dreams |
| The debut rider lands on My Pisano as he picks up 5 pounds for this; 3-year-old takes on older rivals for start 2 which is often an improvement race for any runner; the even finish 1st-time out suggests longer than 6F may be in his future but for today remains at 6F; trainer's 41%-maiden-claiming and 40%-maiden-2nd start win numbers are noted. |
| In Speight Ofitall |
| Has not raced on a fast track yet in a maiden claimer while he figures to save ground behind a Surfspun pace then make one run; much easier spot on Wednesday here in a 25K-maiden claimer; field-best Beyer speed figure was accomplished on turf; he is one that is happy to see grass racing starting back up in New York this week; the 2-back show finisher Beyered 77 in a next-out GP-50K-maiden-claiming win. |
| Seldom Seen Slim |
| 1st-time racing for the Jacobson barn yields 26% winners since 2013; SA-invader saw a significant Beyer improvement 2nd-time out and hopes the cutback in distance will help the cause although he hasn't shown much speed in 2 defeats; the debut runner-up finisher Beyered 88 in a next-out SA-MSW win then finished 5th in the SA Derby Saturday. |
| Metasonic |
| 1st time on dirt, 1st time in a maiden claimer and 1st-time blinkers all trying to shake up the form from his off-slowly debut loss; needs to break a lot sharper for best hope; last-out GP runners through Sunday at the current AQU-Main Meet were 10-for-30 ($140.80) a $4.69 return-on-investment; dismissed at 33-1 odds in the turf debut then posted a steady worktab for this. |
| My Pisano |
| Most runners improve 2nd-time out but his Beyer regressed as he broke outwards from widest post 7; away since back-to-back 20-length losses with a new rider and the apprentice was hot to end the AQU Winter Meet but has cooled off a little at this Main meet; ranked as an outsider with these. |
| Einstein Affair |
| Part of an entry with In Speight Ofital; the seemingly lesser half of the coupling offered brief speed in last but has Surfspun to contend with from the gate for this; hopes adding blinkers will help the stamina; 31 days away for an 0-for-15 trainer with similar absentees since 2013; was also coupled with In Speight Ofital Wednesday in an easier spot; the debut show finisher Beyered 82 in a next-out AQU-MSW win. |
| Surfspun |
| Projects to race loose on the lead playing catch me if you can; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 98 in his next-out FG-MSW win; he beat the 5th-place finisher a next-out 77 HAW-MSW graduate; exits a best-last-race speed figure but on turf; the 2-0-0-0 fast track record is the issue; 36%-win record for his trainer turf-to-dirt since 2013; the 3-back runner-up Beyered 76 in a next-out BEL-MSW win. |
| Beau Who |
| Off the June layoff would think he could use a race (1-for-15 trainer since 2013 with 180-day plus absentees) while there are clearly surface questions to answer competing 1st time on dirt; the MSW-to-maiden-claiming drop is a plus; the 2-back winner Beyered 85-78 in next-out WO allowance and 125K stakes wins.the 2-back runner-up took a WO-MSW next out with a 70 speed figure. - Art Gropper |
Race 6
| That's No Limit |
| Moves to the fence for the stretchout after earning a career best number when this pilot got aboard late last month; her 2 turn routes were ok but it looks like she's going to have to move forward again to prove a serious threat in here; lack of lick in here helps her chances but a minor award looks to be her ceiling. |
| Penella |
| Third in both outs, she'll try this trip for the first time today; filly ran ok first time at the level last month and the dam was a 3 time route winner so the added trip should be right up her alley; with a solid stretchout barn in her corner she's one to consider. |
| Fire Ship |
| Took a big step forward when offered for a tag against open company in her inner track finale and now she's back in with statebreds; filly breezed well for her first crack over the local main track and though she did sit a good trip last time, anything close to that effort makes her a big threat in here; contender. |
| Under Scrutiny |
| Got up for second money in a slow heat when offered for a tag in her return from the break and now she'll step up to face MSWs; there's very little early foot in here so don't know that she'll have much of a target to run at; have to back others on the win end. |
| Prairie Stone |
| Faced older for the first time last out and continued moving forward in that initial route spin; she didn't get much pace in front of her last time so maybe the turn back doesn't impact her as much in a field with little speed; lightly raced filly is the one to fear in the lane. |
| Traipse in Utopia |
| Showed little while sprinting first out over the inner strip and now she'll tackle some added ground; barn does well second time out and this filly is kin to a 3 time route winner so maybe the added ground helps; still, she's got a lot of improving to do off the initial outing. |
| Regifting |
| Filly boasts 3 ugly sprint running lines and now she'll stretch out a quarter mile; her best sib was 194K earner Red Liquor n' Lace whose 15 wins all came sprinting so don't know that the added ground will help her much; sent off at 103-1 in an 8 horse field last time, she looms another long price. |
| Bi Light of Day |
| Took a step back on the figure scale when beaten handily by some of these last time; she doesn't have much early foot and will likely find herself well out of this one from the bell, but figures to be offering her best running in the lane; price warrants her a look. |
| Legally Bay |
| Outside drawn filly got up for a minor share behind a runner up who returns in this spot as well; maybe this one turn mile helps as she's shown some early foot in the past, but she's certainly had her share of chances; prefer to limit her use to underneath in exotics. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 8
| Hot Rendezvous |
| No disgrace in being 2nd best to a 6-for-8 monster in last where she lost all chance after breaking in the air then troubled; late runner would be hoping for a pace metldown but the top runners are all stalkers; she's likely to be last in the early going; the added distance for this off last should help the cause trying to close into the exotics. |
| Elena Strikes |
| Her best game is when she sits just off the speed; the barn had high hopes bringing her into graded-stakes events in starts 2 and 3; that was an eye-catching romp in latest at GP; at this AQU Main meet last-out GP starters through Sunday were 10-for-30 ($140.80); latest looks even better since the runner-up finisher Beyered 76 in a next-out AQU-optional-claiming win. |
| Stunning Lady |
| Figures to press Love to Score early as all 3 wins were on the lead or dueling for the front; she hasn't made the front in her last 5 races and stumbled at the start 2 back; her last start on AQU Main almost 1 year ago is a career-best Beyer when 2nd best to the winner who repeated in a BEL-15K-claimer with a 77 Beyer; added front wraps for latest 1st time off the long layoff; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 80 in a next-out MTH-OPC win; view as a pace presence for part. |
| Six Queens |
| Exits a field-best Beyer speed figure when rating nicely to impress 1st time facing winners; the runner-up from last finished 5th in a GP alw. next out with a 54 Beyer while the show runner Beyered 73 in a show finish next out; beat the 2-back show runner a next-out 99 Beyer CRC-OPC winner; defeated the debut-show runner a 74 Beyer GP-MSW next-out winner. |
| Love to Score |
| Bumped at the break in last losing all chance, adds blinkers for the 1st time ever and catches a pretty paceless event other than Stunning Lady as the top runners are all stalkers; she made the lead 4 back; 3 back she wanted the front when rank; envision this one winging early to the front for a sizzling-AQU Main barn hoping the track is favoring speed today; the 3-back runner-up Beyered 93 in a next-out GP-OPC win. - Art Gropper |