Aqueduct
Aqueduct: Closer Looks for April 12, 2014
Race 1
| Otoy |
| He showed a little something racing over turf as a 2-year-old and this will be his first turf start since early October; however, his recent form has been poor and he will need a career best effort to come out on top in this spot. |
| Mile Range |
| The long layoff alone is a concern but this colt showed that he has some natural ability in his two starts as a 2-year-old; prefer to just watch him today and keep an eye on him with regard to what he might be capable of going forward. |
| Idle American |
| He looks like he's going about as well as ever entering this race and now he's getting back over a surface that he's three-for-five over; it has been a while since he's recorded a win, but he looks like a legitimate player against these. |
| Front |
| He's by a top turf sire and his overall turf form has been right in line with what it might take to win this race; like to see that he's run well when fresh in the past and it looks like he's been working right along since late February. |
| Prohibition |
| It remains to be seen if he can be at his best racing over turf, but have to respect the way that his form has improved since being claimed by his current connections for 7.5k; he has to be listed among the contenders based on his sharp recent form, and Pennington has won with 18 of 41 (44%) mounts for this barn in 2014. |
| Coldwater Flat |
| Sire wins with approximately 14% of his turf starters and dam won once from eight starts for 55k, including 0-for-1 over turf; he has some early speed but he must show up with a much improved performance in his turf debut in order to contend. |
| Spartiatis |
| He's another who has to prove that he can be at his best racing over turf, but his most recent race was his sharpest performance to date and he has the early speed to get involved in the running through the opening stages; third-place finisher from latest won next out at Pim on 4/6 going 1 1/16m vs. MSW rivals with a 64 Beyer. |
| Kodiak Kody |
| Sire has won with 1 of 20 (5%) turf starters and multiple graded stakes placed dam won 7 of 38 starts for 457k, including 3 of 12 turf starts for 199k; not sure about the move to turf for him but he did some nice work in three starts in Florida prior to a poor performance in his NY racing debut in his latest outing. - Brian Pochman |
Race 2
| Will Do |
| Shows for a tag and maybe she just needs a glib surface; Grade 2 placed dam won debut at 2, banked nearly $250K; this is her first to race; miss could be more focused with the blinks today; got a feeling we have not seen her A game. |
| Exclusive Dani |
| She acted up in her debut but seems to be figuring it out; dam was unraced; all 3 siblings won including 8 for 25 over $130K earner Spielberg; like this progression; she flashed speed two back, then closed; respect. |
| Island Candy |
| Must be given look on the drop alone; dam was 0 for 5; lone half sister lost 9 times; Luzzi got a chance to figure her out and at last she flashed some semblance of speed; if she can run at all, she figures to show it here. |
| Mare and Cher |
| Old Fashioned 5 for 38 with debuters; sire took debut and took a Grade 2 at 2, banked nearly $600K; dam was unraced; this is her first to race; in for $27K less than purchase price; miss does look fit enough. |
| Blushing Lioness |
| Leroidesanimaux about 13% with debuters in a 141-runner study; sire did not run at 2, took second start at 3, won a couple of G1s, banked over $1.6 million; 7 for 31 dam earned almost $100K, won once at 2; the 2 siblings to race are a combined 0 for 5; like fact she drilled this far, but she may want more real estate to show top talent. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 3
| Barrister Jim |
| Ships back in here seeking his third straight score following a couple of sharp efforts over wet tracks out of town; he won emphatically in a long one turn heat here in the fall and his lick should have him involved from the bell; concerned that he may need a wet track for his best, but he's one to consider on the front end today. |
| Groomedforvictory |
| Statebred defeated 3 overmatched foes on the engine while trying a slightly longer trip at the level late last month; he doesn't need the lead for his best so the presence off speed drawn to his immediate outside could give him a nice target and the shorter trip could prove to be to his benefit; .500 local hitter is the one to beat. |
| Poliziano |
| Was little match for the guy drawn to his immediate inside here when stretched out in his return to the local main track; his better numbers don't stack up so well with these and don't think the slight cut back is going to do much to help him fit the heat any better; have to pass on him. |
| Tizmas |
| Fresh gelding cuts back to a one turn trip in his return to the main track; he showed solid route lick in each of his last 2 starts on the inner he failed to go on despite racing with the grain of the track in allowance company prior to the time off; others look better on the win end. |
| Schoolyard Dreams |
| Seven year old have been on the improve since taken by this new barn and hasn't been beaten in either of his 2 starts under their care; sprinter will tackle a tougher trip today and maybe that has him sitting closer to the top from the outset; he hasn't had much luck over the local main track and don't know that handling the added ground is a slam dunk here, but he certainly figures to be a threat. |
| Lion Keen |
| Outfit is aiming this guy pretty high first time off their claim out of a cheap local score against limited winners; he'll catch much more seasoned foes in this spot and they've run significantly faster than he ever has; he is relatively lightly raced so maybe there's some room for him to move forward, but this is a tough spot. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 5
| Sam Sparkle |
| Finished 2nd best to a runner who is now 3-for-3; the 16 minor awards leap off the form at you as a runner who often races well in defeat; the 3-back winner repeated in an AQU-Grade 3 with a 104 Beyer speed figure; returns to AQU Main the oval of his career-best Beyer win 1st off the claim. |
| Abra |
| The one to catch with Green Gratto; speedster's been on the lead in 2 of last 3 races; raced to the top when winning by 10 lengths at BEL last summer; the 75-day layoff is a major issue but latest was an eye-catching score made look even better by the show finisher who Beyered 77-80 in 2 next-out 25K and 35K-claiming wins. |
| Green Gratto |
| Figures to chase Abra to the lead but may end up in another speed duel; Carried Interest rallied past him in last and wishes he could somehow get loose on the front end like in each start of the 3-race winning streak; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 90 in a next-out AQU-starter alw. win; view as a pace presence. |
| Best Man |
| Last-out GP starters at the AQU-Main meet through Wednesday were 10-for-30 ($140.80); last win looks better since the runner-up finisher won next-out with a 95 Beyer; the 2-back runner-up won next out in a GP-optional claimer with a 91 speed figure; new rider impressed to end the Inner-Dirt meet. |
| Erik the Red |
| Projects for an ideal trip stalking the speed; keeps the win rider who had other options suggesting he's ready to fire back to best off the 83-day layoff; wish the barn yielded better than 10% winners with similar-fresh starters since 2013; the 2-back winner made it 3-for-3 taking an AQU-OPC with a 107 Beyer. |
| Private Tale |
| Field-best Beyer speed figure at BEL traveling 7F on dirt was following a similar layoff to what he faces today so hoping for a huge-fresh effort; was claimed by a trainer 26% winners 1st off the claim; the show finisher from last Beyered 97 in a next-out AQU-OPC win; lots of upside. |
| Carried Interest |
| Exits a best-last-race Beyer when outfinished on the Inner Dirt but understandable following the 7-week layoff; won in January 2nd-time off the bench which is the exacta scenario for this; win rider sides with Erik the Red; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 94 in a next-out AQU-OPC win; did not like wet footing in his only AQU Main attempt. - Art Gropper |
Race 6
| Brendan G |
| Never out of the money as far as his sprint record is concerned and he ran one of his top races recently when a clear second; will likely have to overcome a much swifter early pace and that will probably prove his undoing once again; still can be used in exotics. |
| Eirigh |
| Adds blinkers after a very difficult trip last month; has raced exclusively in routes and the transition to this distance may prove too severe; latest training track breeze was moderate; not an easy runner to assess. |
| Mischieviously |
| Stuck in fourth gear last year, he returns with Lasix and an improved half-mile breeze in the bank; son of Indian Charlie ran deceptively well when facing Divine Energy last season and seven furlongs may suit his style; mixed signals. |
| Vicksburg Bluffs |
| Newcomer hails from G1 victor Wildcat Heir who netted 424K and whose offspring have won 55 out of 321 debuts; the dam won 3 of 27 attempts and 63K; among the winning siblings is 353K earner Crowned Dancer who scored at the G3 level. |
| Divine Energy |
| Disappointed at Keeneland in his 2013 finale as the 3 to 5 favorite; from red-hot sire Tapit, this colt may have matured over the winter and the latest training track breeze shows major progression; can atone at a better price this afternoon. |
| Better Man |
| Firster was sired by multiple G1 type Harlan's Holiday who banked 3.63 million and whose progeny have won 67 out of 488 initial starts; the dam was a G3 winner who captured 191K; sib to 79K earner La Mejor Fiesta. |
| Jeremy's Song |
| Has a race over the track to his credit and his best effort by far was at today's distance; wheels back quickly (breaking the pattern of a race every 30 days) and therefore seems like a viable candidate; draws the right post to fit his style as well. |
| Grand Strand |
| Exits some above average races at Gulfstream where he did not threaten; turned in one of his better a.m. moves only a week ago and may secure a better early position today as a result; generous odds should be the case once again. |
| Qui C'est Moi |
| Tries seven-eighths for the first time but has been a consistent performer and this clear outside slot can work in his favor; not sure if the right strategy is a dead send or to be reserved just off the inside pacesetter; either way, an average pace seems in store. - Jim Kachulis |
Race 8
| Spritely Mambo |
| Don't like to see what she's done since a fine run at first asking but this is a good spot for her to get back over turf and it might be just what she's looking for; winner from latest won next out here on 3/3 going 6f vs. 30k OPC's with a 74 Beyer, and then moved on to win another 30k OPC with a 74 Beyer. |
| Start It Up |
| Sire wins with approximately 6% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 13 starts for 79k, and she didn't make a turf start; she has some early speed but she must show more in her turf debut in order to contend. |
| White Crane |
| Maybe the added distance is a little bit of a concern but this miss has run well in both of her turf starts and this does look like a good spot to find out what she can do routing over turf; she commands respect as a top contender against these. |
| Mommy's Dearest |
| Comeonmom has been a poor influence as a turf sire, and not only has this mare shown little in her two turf starts, but she has just one win after 30 career starts; she appears to be up against it regardless of the surface that this race is run over. |
| Milkyyourway |
| Andromeda's Hero has been a below average influence as a turf sire but this mare has earned her career best Beyer Speed Figure over turf; nevertheless, she has just one win next to her name after 19 starts and she's winless in her last 14 going back through 2013. |
| Moonlit Sonnet |
| This filly has a strong pedigree for turf and she's shown enough in her six turf starts to merit top contender status against this group; this barn does some of their better work with turf starters and they see fit to call upon the hot-riding C.V. for this. |
| Eurokay by Me |
| Maybe there was a time when she could have been given a competitive look against these, but when considering her 1-for-37 career mark, and her poor recent form, she has to be viewed in the light of an outsider. |
| Selenite |
| She turf in her pedigree and her dam won 2 of 9 turf starts for 81k; she ran well the first time she raced over turf and her only other turf start was against G3 competition; this looks like a good spot for her to make her 3-year-old racing debut; must consider. |
| Porvoo |
| Her recent form hasn't been her best but she has a fine turf pedigree and getting back over turf for the first time since October can help this miss; not willing to give her the nod for the top spot, but a spot underneath in the exotics might not be out of the question. |
| Maxana |
| This doesn't look like it would be a bad spot for this filly to step up and take on N1X rivals if this race has to be taken off the turf; a repeat of her latest performance can make her a player against these and Ortiz has won with 2 of 4 mounts for this barn in 2014. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 9
| Bemata |
| Fresh gray turns back to sprint in his return to a track over which he ran pretty well in the fall; he doesn't have much early foot which isn't going to help him from this inside slot and he didn't have a big impact at the level last time; top outfit has had a nice start to the stand, but prefer to side with others on the win end. |
| Calamondin |
| Broke his maiden by open lengths while tracking a slow clip in the Laurel mud and earned a career best number along the way; gelding has only run a handful of times and he's certainly been on the improve since taken over by this outfit; the waters get deeper as he takes on winners today but it appears as if the added panel is within his scope and his pilot comes with him. |
| Lead Singer |
| He's had a little extra time since again failing to factor over the inner track; maybe the return to the main strip helps move him up some and a top pilot does agree to stick with him today but he'll need to show up with quite a bit more to get in the mix for a share of this one; backing others on the win end. |
| Truth Is |
| Impressed in his professional sprint debut score at Saratoga last summer but he failed to move forward in 3 subsequent tries and has been on the shelf for nearly 5 months; colt has worked well of late for his return and he did prove first out that he doesn't need to be raced into shape; consider. |
| Real Estate Rich |
| First part of the coupling steps up seeking his third straight score after running down starter allowance foes with a last to first run on Wood Memorial Day; barn does well with its quick returnees and this guy is certainly in career best form, but he did ride the grain of the track in that score last weekend and things will get tougher for him in here. |
| Crafty Dreamer |
| Statebred proved he could step with open company sprinters when just a half length short at the level in his inner track finale; he's hit the board in 6 straight with an off the pace style that keeps him within striking range of the front runners from the outset and his last local 7 panel spin resulted in his most impressive career score; can't count him out. |
| Salutos Amigos |
| Barn's other half looked rather good while skipping away from starter allowance foes in his first start under their care last week; G2 SP colt had offered some promise while keeping top sprint company as a sophomore but it looks as if he needed something to shake things up and the barn switch did the track; these are better than he beat in his local return, but have to give him the nod to score right back in hi current form. |
| Make Your Move |
| Gelding hasn't been very good of late and now he'll give this level another shot while stretching out a panel off his last; he did score in a long one turn heat the last time he stepped on the local main track so maybe that helps shake him up today, but off what he's done of late it's tough to make a serious case for him winning this. |
| Bobby V. |
| Found himself making a run in a wide path after breaking from the fence and sitting inside in his return to the main track at this trip, but the effort resulted in a career best Beyer score over claimers; he'll step up with solid tactical foot and the outside draw should help put him in a good tracking spot from the bell; contender. |
| Maxana |
| This doesn't look like it would be a bad spot for this filly to step up and take on N1X rivals if this race has to be taken off the turf; a repeat of her latest performance can make her a player against these and Ortiz has won with 2 of 4 mounts for this barn in 2014. |
Race 9
| Fu Peggi Sue |
| Like the spacing of the comeback drills but racer has limited speed and could get shuffled; only the third time for a tag and she has a right to mature with class as kin Gold and Roses won several stakes and banked nearly $900K; due. |
| Suave and Smooth |
| Shows for a tag but maybe she belonged here all the time as a $1,400 purchase; stakes placed one for 5 dam earned nearly $40K; lone half bro to race Swaylon Braylon took 3 of 23, earned $50K; trainer has spotted them fine all year, don't ignore. |
| Sugeily |
| Not sure how you spin this form in the right direction; she has beaten 3 horses in her career; no speed, no asset and considering the cut back, she could be left with a ton of work late; passing. |
| Lexsoya |
| Griffinite 2 for 33 with firsters; sire won twice at 2, took a G3, banked nearly $350K; 2 for 8 dam earned nearly $50K; lone full bro lost 5 times; miss does look fit enough. |
| Glenbrook |
| Friendly Island 1 for 30 with firsters; sire didn't race at 2, took a G2, banked over $1.3 million; dam was unraced; 2 of 4 siblings won; top kin Ballythunder took 2 of 17, earned about 23 grand; homebred could need experience. |
| Mary's in Utopia |
| Steady moves at Belmont as she shows for the tag; at least there is a 3-time winner in the family; this is a tough ticket to sell. |
| Peach Lake |
| Off a career Beyer and she may have disliked the off going; backers can point to the fact there are a pair in the family that banked 6 figures; must be left in the exotic conversation. |
| Take the Zeppole |
| Decent try two back as these appear to be her friends; look for rider to be aggressive again here; slight improvement and she will be in the thick of it. |
| It's Easy |
| Back at claimed level; shades off, just like they were for the career top Beyer; the lone winner in the clan won thrice in the minor leagues; looking at a stalk and pounce trip; respect. |
| Knoxy |
| Touch Gold about 8% with debuters in a 626-runner sample; sire won debut, thrived going long, won multiple Grade 1s including the Belmont Stakes; 3 for 14 dam earned about $45K; 6 of 8 siblings won; top kin Ibboyee won 4 times at 2, took a number of stakes, banked over $700K; in for $19K more than purchase price. - Brian Mulligan |