Aqueduct: Closer Looks for April 23, 2014

Race 1

Upward

Looks on top of his game; easily beat $16K N3L foes on the inner March 14, then gamely beat $12,500 foes on this track April 5; not only did Ronen see fit to claim him that day but he brings him back in a spot where he can't lose him via another claim, which is always encouraging, though it also means facing tougher.

Deadicated Deal

2nd on the inner at this level March 15 was a step forward, but still, it's not as if he was a real threat to the winner as he was beaten 4 3/4 lengths; that run was flattered as the guy who finished just behind him in 3rd came right back to win; pretty steady Beyerwise of late and again, those last 2 show he's not out of his element here.

Reserved Quality

Coupled with Lieutenant Seany O; knocking on the door; a sharp 3rd sprinting at about this level on the inner March 20, then took the lead in midstretch before tiring to 3rd at this level here April 2; you can forgive that fade a bit, though, as that came going a mile - he returns to a spritn today and that may be just what the Dr. ordered.

Lieutenant Seany O

Coupled with Reserved Quality; some questions here to be sure; first, he hasn't been seen since he was pulled up at SA over 2 months ago; at least he returns with no tag attached; lone win came on synthetic, but at least he's handled dirt decently; even so, ALL his work has come routing and we're sprinting today; all that being said, Jacobson continnues his strong meet and is proven off a layoff.

Whatabouthonor

Have to go way back to July 2012 to find that lone win; recent works at least hasn't been bad, with a couple 3rds on the inner and a 2nd at LRL; comes off a 5th vs. N1X foes at PIM just 13 days ago and this may actually be a class drop.

Donttellyourmother

Ample speed here; led all the way to beat maidens March 10, then set the pace before fading to 6th on this track March 28; in his defense, that was not only his first try vs. winners but it was also his first try vs. elders; still faces elders here and that's no small hurdle this early in the year; at least can benefit from that experience and he's sure been working nicely.

Denzel

That 4th vs. somewhat similar here April 5 wasn't bad at all as he blew the start and was left with too much to do, though that won't make those who made him the 9-10 favorite feel any better; nice to see no drop and he's got versatility, meaning he has the tactical speed to be in a good spot from the start, and this outside slot may help him play his stalking card to its fullest.-Michael Hammersly

Race 3

Rush Now

First from Jacobson needs to be involved early but so does his stablemate so have to wonder if they are both going to go; this guy faded badly in his last two but he is dropping to a new low and will appreciate the easier company; Grade 2 placed stakes winner has rebounded from dull efforts in the past and has to be considered a serious player in this spot.

Moe Man

Makes his first start since being claimed by Brown who rarely claims horses - just 28 the past five years with an 18 percent strike rate running them back the first time; 7-year-olds last win came in a one-turn mile in a $40K claimer at Churchill so we know he likes the trip; strong numbers for the barn when they bring them back in this time period and it could set up nicely for him; no surprise if he's the winner.

Sacred Ground

He's a pretty sharp horse right now and everything coming out of this barn has been right there at the current meet; minor stakes winner has a couple of wins at the distance but they came early in his career and it seems like he wants a bit more ground to work with; nonetheless, he's too sharp to ignore and at the least should be part of any exotics ticket.

Mi Hijo

He ran away and hid when he got his third win but like the rest of the field he couldn't keep up to Salutos Amigos in his next start in a $50K starter race; Amigos came right back to win a first-level allowance race with a 93 Beyer Speed Figure April 12; no luck going around two turns on the lawn but his breeding suggests he'll go long and he should get a nice trip from a stalking position in his first try at a middle distance on dirt; nonetheless, others look more attractive.

Street Thug

Second half of the entry had his three-race winning streak snapped when he moved into open company in his latest but he still ran a huge race; he really wants the lead and for the first time he came close to winning when he didn't clear early; horse that won the race was coming off a win in a $25K sprint; can see him making the lead here, especially if his stablemate stays home; the pick.

Sportswriter

NY-bred is coming off a game win over $20K state breds and would need to improve quite a bit to contend in what appears to be a tough group of $25K open claimers; he has decent speed so it will be interesing to see if Garcia tries to use his speed right from the start or try and let him stalk like he did in his latest win; either way, he appears to be up against it.

Bedouin Now

Exits the same race as Street Thug and he finished fourth but he really wasn't much of a threat; deep closer should get an honest pace to work with and he does have a good record at the distance; nonetheless, he was all out to win a $12.5K n/w/2 with a 72 Beyer Speed Figure two back and he will need to improve substantially to contend with these. passing.

Matt and Jesse

5-year-old seems to be on top of his game with his Beyer Speed Figures heading in the right direction; nice win in his latest but the horse he beat was coming off two straight losses in $20K claiming races; this guy has had a hard time keeping up in open company but he has never been better, some things to like and would consider using him in the exotics.-Randy Goulding

Race 5

Lots of Love Mom

He's been a consistent performer racing over turf and like to see that he has some early speed to employ after breaking from a favorable rail post; it looks like he's been training well lately in preparation for his first start of the year; runner up from latest won next out here on 12/26 going 6f vs. 30-25k claimers with a 91 Beyer.

North Slope

Grade 3 stakes placed performer has to be viewed as being a top contender against these, and if his recent workouts are any indication, then he's ready for his return to action; this barn has been putting live horses on the track at this meeting and Saez has won with 9 of 29 (31%) mounts for them in 2014.

Tiz Gianni

Stakes winning veteran has run some nice races over turf in his career, and like the idea of putting blinkers back on, but he is going to need his very best effort to have a chance at getting the better of the top contenders in here; third-place finisher from latest won next out at Pim on 4/19 going 1m over turf in a 100k stakes with an 88 Beyer.

Crushing

Sire wins with approximately 12% of his turf starters and stakes placed dam won 3 of 15 starts for 147k, including 1 of 8 turf starts for 69k; runner up from latest won next out at Kee on 4/13 going 1 1/16m vs. 62k OPC's with a 99 Beyer; top turf barn can have one ready to fire off of a long layoff like this.

Gourmet Dinner

Grade 3 winner is seeking his first 1-2 finish racing over turf, but he has run some decent races over grass fro five starts; prefer to limit him to a spot underneath in the exotics in this spot, but if this race gets moved to the main track, his chances can be upgraded.

Sinatra

Have to respect what he's done in his two starts for this barn, especially when considering that he took off from April 2012 to January of this year; there is a chance that the early pace will be moderate-to-slow, and that would certainly be to his liking; must consider.

Vinny Goodtimes

He was pretty sharp in his first five career starts, and even though it would have been nice to have seen more from him in his turf attempts in November and December, feel that he can be ready to give a good account of himself against these after getting a few months off; winner from latest won next out here on 3/1 going 1m vs. starter alw. rivals with a 96 Beyer.

Bobby V.

There's some legitimate dirt form signed on in this event, and it's fair to question if this gelding is capable of coming right back with the same level of performance that he showed up with in his latest start, and that type of an effort might be needed to win this; can't count him out of it, but others entice more.

Confrontation

He was a sharp winner in his first three career starts, and not going to be too hard on him for the sub par performance in his latest outing after taking some time off; the added distance is a concern, but have to respect the ability he's shown; runner up from latest won next out at GP on 3/20 going 6 1/2f vs. starter alw. rivals with an 87 Beyer.

Metaurus

His best effort just doesn't appear to be up to the level of the top contenders in here, and can't ignore the fact that he's winless in his last 21 starts going back through 2013; he looks like more of an outsider.

Private Tale

He carries a stakes winning credential with him and this will only be his second start for the Jacobson barn; feel that this one is eligible to be ready to run a good one while going sprint-to-route for his second start back from a layoff.-Brian Pochman

Race 6

Cuckoo House

Drop may be key; lone try at this level came March 10 on the inner and he ran on well for 5th, beaten just 1 1/4 lengths; in fact, he got jostled around and was awarded 4th via a DQ; found $20K foes too much last time but he's back to what appears to be a better level.

Cool Cat Tale

Sire Tale of the Cat gets over 16% debut winners, according to DRF sire stats; sire won 5 of 9 for $360K, was G2 SW, 3-time G1 SP; dam has 2 winners from 3 foals to race, including Brite Betty (4 wins, $150K); dam won1 of 15 for $38K; works don't exactly get the pulse racing but at least Cannizzo is 2 for last 11 (18%) 1st time out.

Political Farce

Good 2nd for $20K on the inner March 23 stamps him a threat; then set the pace for twice this tag here April 9 and while he faded to 6th those guys were surely tougher than what he faces here; class drop may be pivotal and he's got the speed to be in it from the start; 5 2nds in 12 starts say he's going to bust through one of these days..maybe it's today.

Gamble

Tough to build much of a case; yet to be a factor in 6 starts; you can be a bit forgiving about that March 23 run on the inner as it was his first in over 8 months but even so he didn't show much when racing regularly last year; has been facing better so there's a drop and at least a bullet April 17 to encourage.

Camp Floyd

Results are trending the right way at least; even so, while he ran on for 3rd in a race like this on the inner March 24 it's not as if he was a real threat (beaten 7 1/4 lengths); again, at least his recent stuff show improvement and maybe it's dirt and sprinting he's preferred all along.

Johnny Star

Difficult to get behind; yet to be a factor in 4 starts; that includes where he faded to be a well-beaten 7th at this level on the inner March 24; at least there's a bullet work since (:47.40B April 17) to encourage and Hinds takes off the blinkers, but his first 2 starts were sans blinkers and they weren't very pretty either.

Moonlite Encounter

Had plenty of chances to be sure (17) but there are just enough decent efforts showing that you can't just put drawn an X through his name because of all those tries; good 4th (moved up to 3rd via DQ) at this level on the inner March 10 showed that on his best day he fits well with these; pressed the pace and fizzled here April 6 but his better work has come when stalking and not pushing the issue.

My Pisano

No factor in the lane in 3 starts but there's still reason for optimism; first, those were just his first 3 starts and note all came vs. much tougher than he sees here; also, he set the pace in that $40K race April10 before giving way so he has speed; couple that with a big drop today and there's reason to believe he could do quite a bit better; all 6 sibs are multiple winners including Tropic Storm (6 wins, $397K, SW, G1/G2/G3 SP).-Michael Hammersly

Race 7

Mlle. Minuit

Filly tries better in her return to the lawn after running them down on the turn back over the local main track; she didn't have much to offer in the 2 turf starts to begin her career and both of her scores have come at one turn, but her lone sib is a turf winner.

Joy Seeker

Took a big step forward when put on the lawn last summer at Saratoga and after regressing up there, showed a new dimension in running cheaper in the fall; idle since, she'll try better today but the barn boasts some recent success with its returnees and this gal does have the positional foot to grab a good spot from the bell; proven fresh, she looms a huge danger to fire first time back.

A Prettydixie

Returns from a short break to try the green and she ran ok over the local sod around this time last year; her first crack at the level over the inner wasn't much, but the outfit has had its runners ready here and maybe the surface switch helps; price will be right to try and get her in the exotics mix.

Marcy

Hasn't been a threat to the winner in any of her recent local spins including the last time she stepped on the sod here; she does offer a little bit of early lick at times but that doesn't figure to help her much in here; looms another big price.

Rodinia

Makes her first start for a barn that excels with its newly claimed runners right back; she showed pretty solid early foot in beating a couple of overmatched fields on dirt in her last 2 starts and she's run ok on the green in the past; don't know that she's as good as some of these and the trip is a concern, but she'll get a top pilot and does figure to make her presence felt from the bell.

Broadway Music Gal

Returns at the level while in for the optional tag after holding on to score in the local slop; mare broke her maiden sprinting on the green across town before failing to factor on the stretchout in her lone local sod spin; she figures to find a decent spot early and her last out pilot does stick with a filly who has proven she can handle the weeds.

Stock Fund

Absentee hasn't been out of the exacta in 3 cracks over the local sod and she's working regularly of late for this sharp return outfit; mare settles for a lot of minor awards and it did take her quite a long time to break her maiden but she did repeat right back and her poor last out try, first time at the level came on the main track; consider.

Roses for Romney

Speedy filly makes her first start of the year for a new outfit that specializes in turfers and newly acquired stock; she offered some promise over the lawn early in her sophomore season, she's had her issues going on late since stepped up to this level; maybe this barn has figured out her problems and she does figure to be involved in pace from the outset; she broke her maiden by open lengths in her first start of the season around this time last year so we know she doesn't need to be raced into shape.

Strike Accord

Outside drawn 5 year old returns from nearly half a year on the shelf after wintering in Florida; mare goes for a barn that hasn't done so well with its returnees of late and her late running style could put her in a tough spot from out here; prefer to limit her use to underneath in exotics.

Gloria Victoria

MTO is in for the optional tag after failing to go with open company allowance runners when turned back in the local mud; she broke her maiden sprinting over the track in the fall and hit the board in each of her 4 inner track spins this winter; against a turf meant bunch if she goes, she's a contender.

Familyofroses

Beaten chalk last out at the level just missed getting up behind one of these in the local slop; MTO is consistent and hasn't been off the board since the summer; she's been knocking at the door at the level but may prove best used on the bottom of exotics tickets.-Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Sheriffa

She's been away since Nov. 23 and while the works don't tell us much the past five years Goldberg has a 20 percent strike rate with horses returnng from a layoff between 61-180 days; she should appreciate the move into a first-level allowance race after tacking stakes horses in her first try with winners; the winner won a $150K NY-bred stakes race in her previous start; this gal broke sharply and never looked back in her maiden win and she made a strong late move in her debut so she's versatile; consider for the exotics.

Very Accomplished

The 79 Beyer Speed Figure she earned in her win over 3-5 Jazzminegem is easily the top figure in the field and being a lightly-raced 3-year-old there could be considerable upside potential here; she seemed comfortable stalking the pace on the rail and then took off when Husbands wheeled her to the outside heading into the stretch; the first foal out of a stakes-winning mare looks like the one to beat; the pick.

Copper Bluff

4-year-old will be making her first start since Sept. 29 and the only time she hit the board in any of her races with winners was in a $20K conditional claimer; she will need to improve to make an impact here and the past five years the barn is 1/18 with horses coming back from a break of 180 days or more; passing.

Wisdom of Oz

She earned her career-best Beyer Speed Figure in her latest and that makes five straight races she has helped spice up the exotics; she seems to be improving and she came a lot closer to Bileaps and Bounds in her latest than she did three back; prefer others for the top spot but she should be part of any exotics ticket.

Bileaps and Bounds

She was an easy winner three back and that was a tough group she faced in a $20K starter March 6 - the first two horses both came back to win their next races with 80 Beyer Speed Figures; she just missed at this level in her latest and if Sheriffa doesn't leave there running she should be the one they have to catch; blinkers go on and note the strong recent stats for Englehart when he makes the equipment change; big shot.

Sweetest Side

Not sure why she was gone for so long but she's been on a roll since she came back and her Beyer Speed Figures keep improving; steps up in class but she doesn't look out of place and she's versatile so she she could get a nice trip from a stalking position; contender.

Underthemoonlight

She could be coming up to a peak performance following an improved effort in her third start back; not surprisingly Franco sticks with Bileaps and Blounds but she'll get some weight off with Rice taking over; horse that won her latest was coming off a win in a $16K claimer for state-bred 3-year-old fillies; first foal out of an unraced mare will need to step it up to contend here, however.-Randy Goulding

Race 9

Bella Fachi

Sire is 24-for-357 with 1st-turf starters; is out of an 0-for-1 grass dam; her only other foal to race 3-0-0-0 Leland's Dawn did not race on turf; equipment/surface switch for start 2 trying to shake up the form off the far-back debut defeat.

Chrysolite

Sire is 33-for-240 with 1st-turf starters; 1-for-1 dam (7K) did not race on grass; her lone start/win was at 5F on dirt; 2 foals to race on turf are 0-for-3 combined; the 4th and 7th-place finishers from last Beyered 60-50 in next-out AQU-MSW and 25K-maiden-claiming wins.

Baby B

Projects as a pace presence stretching out 3F for this; 6%-win trainer with runners off similar layoffs since 2013; her sire is 9-for-64 with 1st-turf starters; her only start was on England grass at 1M where she finished 5th; 3 foals to race on turf are 0-for-5 combined; the runner-up and 6th-place finishers from last Beyered 61-57 in next-out AQU-MSW wins.

Confessa

Sire is 13-for-187 with 1st-turf starters (21-for-334 with debut runners); is out of an unraced dam who produced 4 winners from 4 other foals to race including 4-time stakes winner/debut winner Baffle Me (7-for-21, 427K overall, 5-for-13 turf 323K); 2 of 4 foals to race on turf are grass winners; debuts in a field lacking superstars.

Bi Light of Day

For those scheduled to race on turf she owns a best-last-race Beyer; her last start on grass was a good-show finish at today's distance on today's turf course so fits very well here; today is her highest-weight assignment ever while ranked below a few of these who beat her on dirt in 2014.

Solar Side Up

Sire is 0-for-31 with 1st-turf starters; 5-for-67 with debut runners; 3-0-0-0 dam did not race on grass; her only other foal to race is 10-for-35 Driven by Solar (370K) who went 1-for-5 on grass (33K); will be taking a wait and see approach.

My Won Love

Sire is 3-for-63 with 1st-turf starters; 9-time-stakes-winning dam (9-for-34, 210K) went 5-0-0-1 on turf (10K); 3 foals to race on grass are 0-for-9 combined; did not show a lot of stamina on a wet track in last adding 1F does not help the confidence level; view as a pace presence for part.

Thatza Wrap

Sire is 11-for-113 with 1st-turf starters; is out of a 1-for-5 grass dam (13K); her only foal to race on grass Catch Ya Later (0-for-1 turf); projects as a pace presence; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 53 in a next-out AQU-MSW win.

Regifting

Sire is 13-for-187 with 1st-turf starters; is out of an 0-for-1 grass dam who's only foal to race on grass went 0-for-5 on turf; adds blinkers for the 1st time trying to shake up the form; owns an improving-Beyer pattern for the 4-double-digit length defeats.

Funky Munky Fever

Sire is 1-for-50 with 1st-turf starters; 6-for-41 dam (53K) did not race on grass; 2 foals to race on turf are 0-for-2 combined; Chrysolite defeated her in a key-race loss today while she gets the rematch from a wide-post position draw sure to lose ground.

Willow U

Her only grass start was by far her best-race ever when defeated by the show finisher who Beyered 78-69 in 2 next-out GP wins (75K-maiden claiming and optional claiming); 10%-winning fresh trainer since 2013 does not help the cause but scary if ready because she clearly fits well with this group.

Kevin's Steel

Also entered Thursday in AQU's 9th a 35K-maiden claimer vs. open company at shorter 1 Mile; would be a major pace presence here with distance questions to answer; in 3 races since her good-2012 form has not shown much run including latest vs. the runner-up finisher who Beyered 59 in a next-out AQU-MSW win.

Kelly's Prize

Main Track Only entry own's the field's best Beyer speed figure but on turf; her only dirt start represents her only in-the-money finish; Willow beat her on the grass when last seen chasing the show finisher who Beyered 78-69 in 2 next-out GP wins (75K-maiden claiming and optional claiming).

Shades of Indygo

MTO exits a career-best Beyer on a wet-main track when rallying from last; 405 Wet Tomlinson so clearly off going moves her up; can't help but think the added distance and a sharper gate break today could produce another-improved effort.

Contender's Queen

MTO with stamina issues stretching out beyond 6.5F for the 1st time; sireline says route; her grandsire produced Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos; in her only exacta finish she rallied sprinting but has lacked stamina since; the February winner repeated in an AQU-allowance with a 60 Beyer.

Legally Bay

MTO saved her best races for the AQU Main which would make her very dangerous here; defeated by Bi Light of Day 3-back she came back to defeat that filly in last pair; the February winner repeated in an AQU-starter alw. with a 55 Beyer.-Art Gropper