Aqueduct
Aqueduct: Closer Looks for April 17, 2014
Race 1
| Sweetest Peach |
| Tough to be too enthused; except for a show of speed on a few occasions this gal hasn't displayed much talent, and in 14 starts she's really yet to be a factor in the lane; did press the pace here April 2 before fading and that was her first start in a while so she may improve, but she needs a significant move forward just to get involved. |
| Light Weight |
| Good speed here and she seemed on her way last summer with a real good 2nd at BEL Sept. 15; then came a 4th there Oct. 10 and then she hit the skids with 2 ugly November outings; been given plenty of time since and there's a slight drop with some encouraging recent works. |
| Beautiful Me |
| Debut at BEL last June 2 was encouraging, but start No. 2, with blinkers added, there June 30 was ugly and she hasn't been seen since; that type of layoff, particularly after a poor race like that, is worrisome as it may mean something went awry; drops for her return but there's also a big gap in her works (Feb. 8-March 28) which gives cause for pause. |
| Laguna My Way |
| Certainly the one to beat; yes, a 46 Beyer isn't overwhelming but she did show speed in her debut and kept to her task well for 2nd, and she faces very little power in this line-up; that was run No. 1, too, so she can certainly improve; there is some other speed in here which could cause her some grief early but save for a duel that knocks her for a loop she figures pretty tough. |
| Today Not Tommorow |
| Difficult to build a case; yet to be a factor in 9 starts; showed a hint of speed on a couple occasions, though those were both routing; first 7 starts did come vs. tougher, yes, but her last 2 came at this level and she now has 6 straight races where she failed to register a positive number on the Beyer scale; the gal to her left beat her by over 31 lengths last time. |
| Nurse Stone |
| Slow into stride in her debut on the inner March 22 and she never really mustered a run; still, it was just her debut so unlike some of these she's not yet a proven trial horse; also moves down in price today; that being said, she's a 3yo facing elders and while her foes are weak that's still no small hurdle this early in the year. - Michael Hammersly |
Race 3
| All Luv Me |
| Stumbled at the start of her March 20 debut on the inner and never got involved; but hey, besides that trouble you can always forgive a debut run; start No. 2, April 6, came after a bullet work with the addition of blinkers, but she again had a troubled start and was no factor; nice to see no panicky drop and she has flashed ability in the a.m. |
| Riveressed |
| Toss that March 20 outing (5th, after 2 months off) and you're left with 4 nice starts (3 2nds, 1 3rd); added blinkers, dueled and ran 2nd to a runaway winner here March 28 but that was a nice bounce-back after the so-so March 20 run and while she's got speed she's shown before she can stalk and pass horses. |
| Pretty Like Me |
| Encouraging debut; showed speed to duel on the inner March 15 but she paid the price, faded to fifth in the lane; still, she was 45-1 so not much ws expected but the speed was encouraging and now Servis, who's superb 2nd time out (25%) adds blinkers (5 for last 15, 33%); 2 sibs, both fulls, are winners including Run Run (4 wins, $28K). |
| Lady Rhubarb |
| Speed and talent shown when last seen as she stayed on for 2nd and then stayed on for 3rd, albeit well beaten (11 1/2 lengths); trouble is, 'when last seen' was Nov. 1 so there's a lengthy layoff to worry about; another issue is she's a 3yo facing elders, and while these are maidens that's still no small hurdle this early in the year; been working steadily and there's speed in her arsenal; 2 of 3 sibs are winners. |
| Sweethots |
| Debut at GP was ugly but not only can you always forgive a debut run but that run was on turf and she blew the start; freshened, came back on the inner vs. this caliber and did much better, dueling and finishing 3rd; there's no layoff this time and apparently this is the game she wants right now, and she's 1 of just 2 4yos in here and she might enjoy taking advantage of the younger gals. |
| Official |
| Headed the right way; debut on the inner wasn't much but start No. 2 there Feb. 24 was encouraging; not only did she run 4th but the race was flattered (1-2 finishers came right back to win); went to LRL for a route vs. open straight maidens and was a solid 4th; back to NY, back in vs. state-breds and back to sprinting for Jacobson who continues his strong meet; she does face a couple elders here. - Michael Hammersly |
Race 4
| Lemon Song |
| She took the winter off, so there's a long layoff in play, but she commands her share of respect against these based on what she showed racing over turf as a 3-year-old; note that she broke her maiden over this turf course the first time she ever raced on grass. |
| Dattts Da Boss |
| She's by a strong turf sire and she figures to appreciate getting back over turf after a number of dirt starts; her turf form has been right in line with what it might take to win this, and going to look for her to be involved in the running throughout after breaking from an advantageous rail post. |
| Princess Mara |
| She's capable of dialing up a performance that is strong enough to get her into the mix against these, but it might be a bit of a concern to see that she's performed below par in her three most recent races, even if those starts were over dirt; leaning toward others. |
| Downtown Hottie |
| It would have been nice to have seen more out of her when she was placed back over turf seven days ago, but she did run well two starts back, and she can put in a competitive performance at this level of competition on her best day; this barn has had a strong meeting and C.V. has won with 10 of 29 (34%) mounts for this outfit in 2014. |
| Bozique |
| She's seeking her first turf victory, and the top prize in here might be slightly out of her reach, but she didn't run poorly when she was last seen racing on grass; third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 4/10 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. starter alw. rivals with a 70 Beyer. |
| Magma (GB) |
| Her best Beyer Speed Figure was earned racing over dirt, and from five turf starts, she's yet to post a 1-2-3 finish; it's tough to give her a favorable push against these whether this race is run over turf or the main track. |
| Persnickity |
| A case can be made for her form being better sprinting than routing, but her overall turf form hasn't been bad; winner from latest won next out here on 3/31 going 7f vs. starter alw. rivals with an 83 Beyer. |
| Off My Cloud |
| This looks like it would be a good spot for her to land in if this race has to be moved to the main track, but it does look like it's going to be tough to beat Very Cherry Candy; however, a solid share of the prize seems well within her grasp. |
| Very Cherry Candy |
| She's been in good form since December and this will be a favorable spot for her to go after her fourth win in her last six starts if this race has to be taken off the turf; add in top connections and there's plenty to be positive about in this direction. - Brian Pochman |
Race 5
| Go Olivia Go |
| Never one for the turf but in her recent run over the green, she ran surprisingly well over a tiring surface; the trainer has scored with longshots via quick turnarounds such as this but the seven-eighths distance does not appear this filly's ideal; conflicting signals. |
| C C's Pride |
| Would give her strong consideration if the track is wet at post time; even though she was beaten by today's rail entrant in the 3/10 affair, she has scored at this distance in the past and in her sole try over the Big A main, she finished strong; square price seems assured. |
| Darnley Bay |
| Popular at the claimbox, this mare has been under trainer Levine's care in the past; she seems to prefer the Aqueduct inner more than the main oval, however; she has consistent prompting ability and should be within calling distance once again; reverts to Ortiz who has winning experience aboard. |
| Lily Lynn |
| The soft pace and wide journey spelled trouble in her last assignment when she lost by one stride; versatile lady has conquered the 7 furlongs in the past and gets weight from some younger rivals; has tallied turning back in distance also; legitimate money player once again, rain or shine. |
| So Blessed |
| Unlucky in all 3 starts this year, the extension in distance today can work in her favor for the new connections; her sole try at seven-eighths was a clear-cut second last summer at Saratoga; maintains the same rider despite the change of barns, usually a good sign. |
| Prize Taker |
| One-run closer has only one lifetime victory and at first glance seems up against it; the fact remains she ran a game second behind a repeat winner in her only Aqueduct main track test; earned a personal Beyer in the last run, perhaps as a result of the equipment change; curious item. |
| My Savannah Belle |
| She has all the makings of a fine claim based on her lengthy maiden score; daughter of multiple G1 winner Afleet Alex survived early pressure in that victory and the most recent blowout suggest she has maintained her edge; respect. |
| Daisysgonnamakeit |
| This outside post, and lack of serious pace opposition, could give this filly a decided edge; she was involved in strong fractions in her recent showing before fading to third; although inexperienced at this distance, she could prove the controlling speed and steal away for highly successful trainer/jockey combo. - Jim Kachulis |
Race 6
| Gallant Lady |
| Tries older for the first time while turning back to sprint for her second crack over the local main track; she'll get a nice rider switch and maybe she's got a little extra to offer in the lane at this reduced trip; her numbers don't look to be too much, but they do fit in this weak gathering so she can't be overlooked. |
| Simplie Sinister |
| Enters this off 9 career starts in which she was never even close to the money finishers; return to the main track was terrible and don't think the cut back to this trip will help her much; looks to be a pretty long price once again. |
| Sals Wonderfulgirl |
| Lightly raced sophomore looks to find the right spot in which to tackle older rivals for the initial time; she's burned a lot of money thus far, however, and her first with blinkers didn't offer much improvement for a filly who has yet to get back to the number she earned first out in the fall; still, she does have early foot and it looks as if she'll have to be run down. |
| Miss Red Cloud |
| She was no match for the top 2 finishers while holding the others at bay making her first start over the track a couple of weeks back; filly did run well going long twice over the inner this winter and she did pass runners late last time; nice to see Ortiz get back aboard, but a minor award figures to be her ceiling, even in here. |
| Halos and Angels |
| Nothing in 4 starts and now she'll turn back to sprint after another weak try in her route debut first time with older; gray has no speed at all and there's not a lot to suggest she'll go any better in this spot; have to pass on her. |
| Pari Nath |
| She's had plenty of chances without getting the job done but her last couple have been improved; maybe the cut back helps as she was right there with the leader most of the way trying the flat mile last time; her pilot opts elsewhere but she may be worth considering in here. |
| Cajun Wedding |
| Drops to her lowest level after a wide trip did her in first time with both claimers and older rivals while making just her second career start; though she's yet to do much she did get closer to the winner last time and from a figure standpoint wouldn't need to move up too much off what she's run to get in the mix here. |
| Summer in Bali |
| Beaten chalk in her local debut over the inner broke from the fence and ran past everyone but the runaway winner from the back of the pack off 5 months on the shelf; filly did show some ability on synthetic footing last year and she figures to fit well with this cheap set of older claimers; with the move outside she could prove to be the main danger. |
| Lucky Seven |
| Showed improved early interest first time over the local main track but offered little once rivals came to her and finished behind one of the gals she'll tackle again in here; move outside will likely put her in a wide spot and that won't help her take the step forward she'd need to contend with some of these; looking elsewhere for the winner. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 8
| Harris |
| Considering that March 15 run at GP was his first outing in over 20 months that was a most encouraging run as he set the pace and ran 2nd; earned a heady Beyer that day, too (92); wonderful to see no long layoff since and he'd flashed talent prior to the long layoff as well; worked nicely since and any move forward will make him scary; heck, he might not even need to move forward to win this. |
| Iron Power |
| Posted 3 straight nice turf starts last summer/fall but then came a so-so dirt run here Dec. 1, about 7 weeks off and a duel and fizzle on the inner Jan. 17; at least he came right back after that to wire NY-bred optional claimers there March 1; freshened again but he steps up for his return as he goes from state-bred to open company and while that 83 Beyer was nice he'll still need to bump it up to be a factor here. |
| Bemata |
| Brown saw fit to claim him for $353K here Dec. 4; horse then ran 4th vs. this caliber routing on the inner Jan. 12; freshened since but it's most encouraging to see no class drop, that Brown does not risk him for a tag; been working well and his 2 fall efforts here at this trip show this distance plays nicely for him. |
| The Big Deluxe |
| Figures plenty scary; won 4 of his last 6 and if you toss his slop debacle on the inner Feb. 21 (dueled, faded to 7th) you're left then with 4 wins and a sharp 2nd (beaten just a head) vs. some nice NY-breds here April 3; must deal with open foes today but he's Beyered 90 so that puts him in the mix and his speed surely should have him in the thick of things from the bell. |
| Winter Games |
| Made a big move into the lane to grab control and beat maidens at this distance on the inner Feb. 28; first start vs. winners here March 28 at this level wasn't too hot as he was a well-beaten 4th (13 lengths) but it's nice to see no drop and while he's by a Horse of the Year who relished longer could be he's better playing this shorter game; worked very nicely since and pedigree-wise he has a right to develop further as he's kin to Doc Can Do (7 wins) and Dayatthespa (8 wins, $838K, G1 SW, G1 SP, multiple G3 SW). |
| Touchofstarquality |
| Don't have to be an 'Evita' fan to get behind this guy; by a Horse of the Year, cost a pretty penny ($350K) and stormed home to win his debut at BEL last July 6 (3rd finisher Lochte is now a G1 SW); wasn't seen again until Feb. 22 when he blew the start at GP and was no factor; freshened again and has worked well and if the gate antics have been figured out could be plenty scary turning for home for a trainer whose horses are firing (6 for 10 in the exacta). - Michael Hammersly |
Race 9
| Unbridled Bear |
| Owns the numbers' edge here with a best-last-race Beyer speed figure; his synthetic-surface field-best Beyer was posted November, 2012; owns improving speed figures since the claim 4 races ago with the main concern being the added distance; flashed better-gate speed in last and 2nd off the bench is a 28%-win angle for his trainer; clearly frontrunners ruled the AQU-Main last week here so needs to be in the top flight early to graduate; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 65 in a next-out MTH-25K-maiden-claiming win; he is the one to beat. |
| Cuckoo House |
| Arroyo becomes rider 6 in as many starts locally which is not a good-win angle; no excuse for last racing without blinkers for the 1st time when defeating Let It Fly finishing evenly; the winner from last repeated with a 69 Beyer taking a 25K claimer. |
| It Was All Good |
| The 1st-Lasix start did not produce the expected-improved form although he did catch a wet-main track for the 1st time which he obviously did not care for; is another who seeks the right rider as Valentin becomes his 5th pilot in as many races which is not a good-win angle. |
| Karamojo |
| Previously owned and trained by a 24%-winning conditioner who did not see his best race off the bench in last when sent longer than this; you get a new rider too and the new barn is 1-for-10 first-time-out with newly-acquired runners and 1-for-32 since 2013 with maiden-claiming starters; the 2-back winner repeated in a LRL-16K claimer with a 47 Beyer; the 3-back show finisher Beyered 69-66 in 2 next-out wins (20K-maiden claiming-25K claiming). |
| Consoles Gotta Go |
| A major player off latest when racing on the lead when primed for this at longer; the new rider's 2-for-40 AQU Main record does not do him justice as he showed at the end of the AQU Inner Meet that he's a capable apprentice; Unbridled Bear beat him 3-back but that was on a muddy oval and is set to turn the tables on fast footing today; try to catch the pick. |
| Run Logan Run |
| Back in 11 days after being outrun throughout for the 3rd consecutive start of career; outsider stretches back out for this; he did manage to pass a few runners in last; clearly his far off-the-style does not fit this AQU Main well; others appeal more. |
| Let It Fly |
| See a lot of upside with just 2-career races; flashed gate speed in latest while adding blinkers he may be able to take these a long way up top; in a Saturday race here at 7.5F the winner went gate-to-wire and among 6 dirt-sprint winners not one rallied from farther back than a length and a half to win; the debut winner repeated with a 69 Beyer taking a 25K claimer; view as a speedy contender for win honors. |
| Uragano |
| Mad Props has had his number in recent races and just like that one he has not shown any gate speed during career which leaves him ranked far behind the top contenders; today marks the shortest-distance test of his career which doesn't help the cause; will be backing others. |
| Mad Props |
| Shown zero-gate speed in all 7 starts while today marks the shortest-distance test of his career; the AQU Main favored speed and upclose runners last week which leaves his task a lot tougher to post an upset; defeated Uragano in latest while 3-back faced the winner and runner-up finisher; they Beyered 66-48 in next-out $12,500-claiming and maiden-claiming wins. - Art Gropper |