Aqueduct
Aqueduct: Closer Looks for April 27, 2014
Race 1
| Imanindianoutlaw |
| Projects as the one to catch; returns to the surface of her November victory; the winner from last repeated in an AQU-starter allowance with an 80 Beyer speed figure while she finished behind Mama Zee; is on the wrong end of the scale today giving Mama 2 extra pounds for the rematch while the added half furlong also favors others. |
| Precious Franca |
| Massive-class leap off the non-winners of 2 score; lone race on AQU Main was an eased-running line on a wet-main track; late runner should be aided by the added half furlong for this but the win number was light and would have to up her game to a brand-new level to upset these. |
| Mama Zee |
| Exits a co-best-last-race Beyer speed figure and gets the benefit of a positive 2-pound swing in the weights from last; the extra yardage also helps the cause and gets a good target again in the speedy Imanindianoutlaw; November winner in her only race over the track; the pick. |
| Daisysgonnamakeit |
| Another who could not defeat non-winners of 2 claimers but latest is a co-best-last-race speed figure; was purchaseed then freshened both high-percentage-win angles for her trainer; the winner from last repeated in an AQU-25K claimer with an 82 Beyer; beat winners over the track in 2012 but is 3-0-0-0 on AQU Main since; figures to sit just off Imanindianoutlaw from the gate then hopes to get 1st run on the closers. |
| Seven Dreams |
| Super 1st-off-the-claim barn sends her back to AQU Main where in November in 2 starts over the track she did not her fire nearly her best form; BEL-October winner at today's distance and closing style fits well at 6.5F; love when riders retain the mount even though the runner changes barns. |
| Myperfectvalentine |
| 1-race hero faces multiple winners for this; dull 1st start off the claim producing her lowest Beyer since October; the 9th and 10th-place finishers from last Beyered 45-32 in next-out AQU-16K and PEN-5K-claiming wins; the 2-back winner and show finisher Beyered 78-53 in next-out PRX-16K and AQU-$12,500-claiming wins. - Art Gropper |
Race 2
| James Jingle |
| Multiple stakes placed gelding has just one win next to his name after 23 starts, and he's 0-for-12 over turf; he's going to need a career best run to get the better of this field; winner from latest won next out at GP on 4/5 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 16k N3L claimers with a 79 Beyer, and third finisher won next out at Kee on 4/13 going 1 1/16m vs. 20k N2L claimers with a 63 Beyer. |
| Force Multiplier |
| Have to respect the way that he's been able to get the job doen in his three most recent races and this looks like a reasonable spot to get him back over turf; this barn is going strong at the moment and Ortiz has won with 17 of 49 (35%) mounts for this outfit in 2014; third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 4/11 going 1m over turf vs. starter alw. rivals with an 80 Beyer. |
| Kings Village |
| He boasts the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here, but that level of performance has not been the norm for him, and he hasn't recorded a 1-2-3 finish over turf from five starts; note that he's winless in his last 21 starts going back through 2013. |
| Seeking Harmony |
| Like to see the form he displayed between August and December last year and perhaps he just needed his most recent race for conditioning purposes after taking the winter off; not going to be surprised if he's ready for better this time around. |
| Big Sam |
| His form has improved since moving into this barn and it doesn't hurt to see that he put together a pretty decent performance in his only start over this turf course, and note that was with Maragh aboard; feel that he deserves to be listed among the contenders. |
| Knock Quietly |
| The 1-for-47 career mark alone is a reason to look in another direction for the top spot, and his best effort just isn't fast enough to threaten the top contenders in this one; he has the look of an outsider. |
| Where's Danny (IRE) |
| He earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure in his latest outing when getting the better of a couple of today's rivals, but it's still difficult to envision him earning his first win over turf in this spot; prefer to look in another direction. |
| Kiss of Thunder |
| This barn has been live at this meetingand this gelding ran pretty well in his first start for this outfit after a claim in his most recent start; feel that he's capable of producing a performance that is strong enough to get him into the mix against these. |
| Artie Luvsto Party |
| There are a few horses in this race that have shown the ability to run well over dirt but this multiple stakes placed gelding will merit his share of respect based on what he's done in his two starts since moving into this barn; runner up from latest won next out here on 3/17 going 1 1/16m vs. 16k N3L claimers with a 73 Beyer, and third-place finisher won next out here on 3/28 going 7 1/2f vs. 20k claimers with a 73 Beyer; C.V. has won with 11 of 30 (37%) mounts for this barn in 2014. |
| Barrister Jim |
| If this race has to be taken off the turf, he'll sport the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here, and this gelding will be seeking his fourth consecutive victory; he'll be one of three live looking Rodriguez-trained horses to consider in this spot. - Brian Pochman |
Race 3
| North Ocean |
| The freshening did him a world of good; he always has shown talent and he has won at this demanding distance; show horse in last took a $25K optional, 5th finisher took a $50K optional next out; recent drills suggest he will be all business here and look for rider to be aggressive with stablemate needing help up front. |
| Balance of Power |
| Versatile and dangerous; he did beat small fields in last pair, probably needs help on the front end, and there is not a ton of speed in here; he popped and stopped in the other try on this strip; can't be dismissed. |
| Vyjack |
| Repeatedly proven fresh, he sure didn't duck anybody last year and has trained like the proverbial Swiss clock; pretty snappy move on the 19th jumps off the page; barn solid with returnees like this; will be right on the wire with the A game. |
| Sensational Slam |
| Connections gave him a chance in the stakes two back but he was just overmatched; show horse in last cashed next out in a $50K optional with a 96 Beyer; he has had the penchant for finding the wire; the hotter the pace the better for him today. |
| Royal Currier |
| Been given time since seeing all the heels; like the series of drills and stakes winner returns for the same price he was claimed for last year; winner of last, also a Jacobson, won 4 times since, the last in an $8K starter in Philly; needs very best. - Brian Mulligan |
Race 4
| Rock Me Mama |
| 2-for-2 on wet tracks so will have questions to answer if this race is contested on a fast track; was outrun throughout in her stakes debut; while this is an easier spot clearly she has to pass the class test purchased out of a December-25K maiden claimer then beating lesser-starter allowance rivals including the show finisher who posted a 60 Beyer speed figure in a next-out starter-alw. win; winds up from the back with one run. |
| Bridget Moloney |
| The 1st race off the claim produced her worst-career finish (5th); this one is on a 5-race losing skid after winning her 1st three in a row; rated well in her last win but clearly wants to be forwardly placed; have doubts she can be a factor early with Ari the Adventurer and Size both going for the front today. |
| Gem City Gal |
| 41 days away for this since her big-fresh start scoring with 101 days idle posting a new-Beyer Top and co-best-last-race speed figure; she needed maiden claimers to graduate while we have some entered here with tons of upside; 1-for-1 record on AQU Main makes her even more of an intriguing-win prospect especially if the top 2 duel each other into defeat. |
| Size |
| Don't see many from this barn win at 1st asking but she scored gate-to-wire with a co-best-last-race Beyer in a race that looks better since the runner-up and 12th-place finishers Beyered 77-53 in next-out AQU-MSW and KEE-50K-maiden-claiming wins; hopes Ari the Adventurer lets her get clear to the lead then has to hold off the late runners. |
| Ari the Adventurer |
| Trying to recapture the form from her career-debut win at BEL last summer; 3 weeks ago did not make the exacta when bet below 2-5 odds while making her 1st start over the AQU Main; should be a major-pace battle between her and Size; may see a classic-Johnny V stalking ride as she may learn how to rate just off the speed today; cutting back a half furlong also helps the cause. |
| Sweetsoutherndame |
| The 1st start after the owner-trainer switch was far off her best form; has serious credentials on synthetic surfaces; this will mark her 1st start on dirt while she has worked steadily for this; interesting that high-percentage-rider I Ortiz is 0-for-12 since 2013 at AQU for her trainer; - Art Gropper |
Race 5
| It's Easy |
| Long overdue, this filly should be a major player with the switch to the inside slot; lost significant ground in the last showing when compromised by a soft opening quarter-mile fraction; drops below the purchase price for the first time. |
| Discreet Malena |
| Never fired last summer but both trouncings were over the turf; her sire won the G1 Cigar Mile and 1.69 million; the dam won 7 of 35 and 299K; among the winning siblings is 515K earner Borrowing Base. |
| Sugeily |
| Blinker removal may not matter as she has shown no enthusiasm up to now regardless of surface or distance; most recent workout from the gate does not suggest a sudden vast improvement is in store; pass for now. |
| Nurse Stone |
| Fair try 10 days ago when trying the main oval; the race featured a relatively strong pace and she should find herself closer to the lead today against this group; legitimate trifecta player for a very solid trainer/jockey combination. |
| Sensual Nite |
| Changed running styles in that second attempt when attending the pace; closed with a bold rush in her debut run and now, with the drop from special weights, figures to be a prominent factor; also of note is an improved training track breeze. |
| Backyard Birdie |
| Showed much more determination in the latest performance when engaging in a duel before fading to fourth; cuts back in distance and switches to journeyman handling; can be more of a threat with those 2 factors in the bank. |
| You Take the Cake |
| This is her 21st attempt in these ranks but she often lands a share; should receive a stronger early tempo than in the last few tries and therefore warrants inclusion in the trifecta approach once again. |
| Share 'n Stone |
| After beginning her career in a key race last fall, she tailed off noticeably when trying to negotiate the inner dirt surface; shows only an average breeze since the last defeat and will have to improve substantially in order to be in the mix. - Jim Kachulis |
Race 6
| Empire Dreams |
| Beaten chalk in his first start of the year took a similar event at a slightly shorter trip from the local fence to close out his 2013 campaign; he figures to improve with the sloppy return try against older behind him and he's handy enough to secure a good from the outset in here; giving him the nod to get back on track and beat them home. |
| Let's Discuss |
| Got the job done when dropped a notch in his return to a dry strip and now he'll make his first start off this sharp outfit's claim; number he earned last weekend came back a little light compared to some of these and don't know that he's going to be able to take the needed step forward to prove a repeat threat; prefer others on the win end. |
| Double Gold |
| Gelding was run down by the guy drawn to his immediate inside here while also being claimed out of his last; he'll take on a tougher assignment in his return to the statebred ranks and this outfit doesn't win many races; looking elsewhere for the winner. |
| Lulu Rocks |
| Posted a popular run away score over cheaper here late last month and now he'll tackle a much more difficult task; colt goes for an outfit that does solid work second back from the break and he clearly enters this one on the improve; while he's not as fast as some of the others, he has only run 4 times and is getting better. |
| Bourbon Therapy |
| He's been a popular claim of late in open company heats and he enters this after burning plenty of money over the track earlier in the month; gelding gets off the fence for this one and maybe that helps as he switches to a top pilot today; consider. |
| Loki's Vengeance |
| Banged heads with G3 sprinters from the bell before tiring at a slightly longer trip on Wood Memorial Day; colt was pretty good over the inner this winter, earning some of the better numbers in this heat and he's returned from his last to breeze well across town; sure to find this bunch easier than he's been tackling, they'll have him to beat. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 7
| All Luv Me |
| Beyer going in the right direction and at least she should be more comfortable with the rail; dam was unraced; this is her first to race; must be left in the mix. |
| Lavender Road |
| Improved big time in last and note she was over 8 clear; stakes winning 4 for 21 dam earned nearly $200K; 3 of 4 siblings won including 3 for 12 over $160K earner Roses for Romney; fits on the Beyer scale; respect. |
| Music Maid |
| Apparently not much of a work horse and her best race by far was the maiden claimer; dam 0 for 19; this is her first to race; would rather see this miss in for a tag. |
| Miss Electronica |
| Roman Ruler about 13% with debuters in a 270-runner sample; sire took debut at 2, won the Haskell, banked over $1.2 million; SW 6 for 23 dam earned over $220K; all 3 siblings won; top earner Coco Ecolo took 2 of 19, banked $170K; soph sure looks fit enough. |
| Quick Explosion |
| Could have sulked when she was bothered early but she kept to her task; 4 for 28 dam earned nearly $125K; lone half bro Freudian Dilemma took 5 of 38, banked $250K; not thrilled with the beat in the maiden claimer to kick things off. |
| Rice and Beans |
| Mare is still trying at 5 but she has had her chances; she has more speed than she just flashed and at least the last race came back okay as the place horse took a MSW next out, 7th finisher won a $25K claimer; backers can point to the fact there is a near $200K earner in the family; passing. |
| Sister Margaret |
| Pulpit about 12% with first-timers in a 633-runner sample; sire won debut by over 7, won 3 of next 4 including the Fountain of Youth and Blue Grass; SW 6 for 9 dam banked almost $275K; this is her first to race; barn can get them ready at first asking. |
| Saythreehailmary's |
| Repent about 6% with first-timers in a 336-runner sample; ; sire won thrice at 2, was dirt route only, earned over $1.2 million; dam took debut at 2, lost next 7; all 3 siblings won including SW over $250K earner Afleet Alexandra; drill on the 6th screams off the canvas. |
| Pearls for Girls |
| She has some talent but could be fragile too; place horse in last took a MSW next out, 7th finisher took a maiden $75K claimer and the winner was 2nd beaten three quarters in a $75K optional; dam was 0 for 4; 3 of 5 siblings won; top earner Pearl of Wisdom took 5 of 29, earned nearly $175K; fresh and dangerous. |
| Agate |
| Valid excuse in the debut and she may not have adored the off going in last; dam just one for 17; this is her first to race; due for a trip. |
| Distorted Beauty |
| Invasor 2 for 54 with debuterss; sire didn't race at 2, won first 5 races, banked over $7.8 million, won a ton of Grades 1s including BC Classic; dam 0 for 12; lone full sister Invading Humor took 2 of 7, earned over 10 grand a start; drawn right, respect these connections. - Brian Mulligan |
Race 8
| Rumble Doll |
| Stretching out for this she projects to be forwardly placed from the bell; sire is scoring with an amazing-28% winners (16-for-58) among 1st-turf starters; she is out of a stakes-placed dam (3-for-21 turf 174K); full-sibling Bossy Babe won her grass debut (1-for-1 turf, 7K); has every chance to move forward 1st time on the lawn. |
| Takeoff Your Hat |
| Like the rider switch while she has the right style to take this; 3-year-old tests older runners for the 1st time; lone race at today's distance was a loss to Summer Solo on AQU green; looked like a new runner when shipped to Florida for the winter with the main concern being the 94-day layoff for a 7%-winning fresh trainer; beat the 2-back runner-up finisher who Beyered 72 in a next-out AQU-MSW win here Thursday. |
| Miz Owell |
| Recent Beyers top the field; 2-back represents a field-best speed figure; she exits a best-last-race Beyer; competed on less-than-firm turf courses when not showing much in 2-prior AQU-lawn starts; one of the top jockey-trainer combos has been Castellano-Maker but see that rider listed on Takeoff Your Hat for this. |
| Touching My Toes |
| Sire is 1-for-21 with 1st-turf starters; 1-for-2 dam (31K) did not race on grass producing 2 foals to race on turf (0-for-5 combined); projects to race right to the lead like she did in the graduation-dirt score; the added distance, grass and much-tougher level of competeition are the big concerns; know her early but unsure about late. |
| Flirtatious Spring |
| Reunites with the win rider off the long layoff; is making her 6-year-old seasonal debut; she fired strongly in her 1st race of 2013 nosed right off the bench giving hope she is ready to rumble for this; 21%-winning long layoff trainer suggests she might be ready to turn the tables on the runners that defeated her in the 2 pre-rest losses. |
| Jcs American Dream |
| Sire is 17-for-232 with 1st-turf starters; 3-for-22 dam (56K) did not race on grass but produced 2 turf winners from 3 foals on turf including full-sibling Our Quiet Cat (2-for-9 turf 80K); returns to the win distance and comes from a winning grass family; see upside. |
| Lumineuse |
| Does not usually race on the lead but held on for show money on dirt; today marks her 7th different rider in as many races which is not a good-win angle; her lone win and best Beyer occurred at 3F shorter than this; 5-0-0-1 since the graduation score; view as a pace presence for part. |
| Daddy's Lil Saint |
| Sire is 18-for-126 with 1st-turf starters; is out of an unraced dam who's only other foal to race on grass Clear Pasaj went 2-0-0-0; gets the test vs. older rivals for the 1st time today; the 2-back winner and show finisher Beyered 70-58 in next-out 150K-stakes and MSW wins; she beat the debut-show runner who graduated next out in a BEL-MSW with a 57 speed figure. |
| G Note |
| Best Beyer on grass which gives hope she will improve dramatically off the less-than-enticing recent-dirt form including last when defeated by the show finisher who posted a 67 speed figure in a next-out AQU-OPC win; off the bench was a successful move when she broke her maiden on wet dirt; is another 3-year-old who faces older for the 1st time and stretches out to longest ever for this. |
| Life's a Stage |
| Defeated the 4th and 10th-place finishers from last; they Beyered 68-50 in next-out AQU-MSW and 25K-maiden-claiming wins; deep closer off the long layoff needs to be ready for best to maky any impact while meeting winners for the 1st time is often any runner's toughest assignment. |
| Nonnie Connie |
| Today marks her longest-distance race ever; on turf she hasn't finished better than 5th; lone win was October, 2012, in a BEL-6F-MSW dirt graduation; off the bench for a new trainer winning 6% since 2013 first-time out with newly-acquired runners. |
| Spritely Mambo |
| Saved best for best when returning to the grass course off a 48-day layoff; comes back in just 11 days for this; the 2-back winner repeated with a 74 Beyer; has good gate speed but the main issue is if she can hang on traveling longer than she ever has before. |
| Summer Solo |
| Debut winner defated the show and 12th-place finishers; they Beyered 69-49 in next-out GP-75K-maiden-claiming and AQU-MSW wins; would be more concerned about the long absence but the trainer is high-percentage fresh; not easy to win your 1st start at today's distance but she did while many of these have never been this far she is 1-for-1. |
| Chloe Bear |
| Her win was on AQU grass at today's distance; shoots high off the favored loss 1st off the claim vs. the winner who repeated in a $12,500 claimer with a 64 Beyer; Miz Owell handled her on grass the last time she attempted it. |
| Echluath |
| Main Track Only entry won a key race defeating the runner-up and 8th-place finishers; they Beyered 75-66 in next-out AQU-MSW and FL-15K-maiden-claiming wins; always a tough class test when a graduate faces winners for the 1st time. |
| Platinum Bombshell |
| MTO has a lot of gate speed in her game and figures as the one to catch if in; the main concern is the 11-point Beyer regression in her 1st start off the claim; the 3-back victory was racing from just off the pace defeating the show finisher who Beyered 54 in a next-out AQU-16K-claiming win. - Art Gropper |
Race 9
| Marketable Miss |
| Sharp each time over the inner dirt, she tries the main oval here but the trainer has done well with a limited number of runners at the meet; the filly's experience at breaking from the rail is a major plus factor and she certainly will be more inviting odds this afternoon. |
| Henry's Gal |
| Like the fact that she is a course and distance winner and she crushed her field in the last encounter; did not have any serious pace opposition in that tally, however, and now may be tested in the opening strides; still warrants much respect but will be an underlay. |
| Champagne Ruby |
| Makes her belated 2013 debut but ran well in her sole try over the Big A main when losing by a relatively small margin to some of these same foes; likely to be reserved for one late run here and would appreciate a honest pace set-up; consider. |
| Bella the Bandit |
| The second of three Linda Rice trainees should be more of a pace-pressing factor today; exits an optional claiming race against open company that was above average in overall quality; returns to the statebred ranks now and should be within calling distance. |
| Storied Lady |
| Overcame early trouble to draw clear last month but has not been in a sprint setting in quite some time; picks up Castellano who has been on an amazing run and he might be capable of getting this filly into the race sooner than normal; remains a difficult assessment. |
| Hey Kiddo |
| Broke maiden in modest time back in January with a comfortable trip; perfect exacta record is a definite plus which includes a pair of sharp tries over this main oval; also on the plus side is a fine training track breeze last Monday morning; cannot be discounted. |
| Miss Narcissist |
| True grit was shown in last year's narrow victory over Hey Kiddo and she has been breezing steadily for her sophomore debut; not many runners have scored over all 3 NYRA tracks with only 4 career starts and this versatile lass is one of the likely favorites and legitimately so. |
| Possetivevibration |
| Stalked and pounced last month and the outermost post can work in her favor today; has progressed since being defeated by Bella the Bandit back in February and is likely to fly under the betting radar here; note differential in latest pair of half-mile breezes over this surface. - Jim Kachulis |
Race 10
| Giulio Cesari |
| Beaten chalk at the level wore shades for the first time in that one and he'll return quickly for this; gelding doesn't catch a field with much early lick so given a clean break he should be able to get involved from the bell today and his effort 2 back suggests he wouldn't mind some moisture in the track; big threat once again here. |
| Go Go Gus |
| Shipper was beaten chalk in his last 2 starts at Laurel and now he'll tackle statebreds for the initial time; he owns back numbers that fit here, but his recent spins are tough to swallow; yes, he did have early trouble in his first start of the year, but he didn't do much running thereafter in that one and he'll need to take a good step forward to get involved. |
| Centripital |
| Gets off the fence after his late run came up short in his return to the local main track; 7 year old has had plenty of chances and has settled for a lot of minor awards, but he owns the field's best last out number and if he runs back to it must be considered. |
| Imvros Pride |
| Sire gets 15% first out winners from his offspring and the dam was winless from 4 starts prior to dropping 2 multiple sprint winners from as many foals to race; there's a big ga in the worktab, but a top pilot takes the call for a barn that knows how to get them ready. |
| Safari Samba |
| Took money in her first out run last fall but didn't have much to offer against those MSWs and now he'll show up for a cheap tag in his first start in nearly half a year; he'll get the full makeover for this and his last drill indicates things may go differently for him today; SW dam was a 229K earner and she dropped a pretty good one in G1 SP, G3 SW sprinter and 339K earner Agave Kiss; don't like the fact they are giving up on this 120K yearling buy, but expecting a much better effort from him in this spot. |
| My Uncle Frank |
| Adds the hood for the turn back in distance and class drop after offering little against MSWs on the local lawn; gelding gets new shades for this and he comes from a female family of 7 winners, but he's got some improving to do off what he's shown so far in order to factor today. |
| Sandomonium |
| Didn't take so well to the lawn here in his debut last week and now he'll drop in with cheap claimers while trying dirt; barn boasts excellent recent numbers with its second out runners and both of this guy's sibs are multiple main track winners; with the outfit's main pilot getting aboard he's worth a look. |
| Really B Cat |
| Barn's second runner in here moves back to dirt after failing against MSWs on the lawn in his first off their claim; he took all the money first out over the inner but didn't do much running; he's kin to 3 main track sprint winners and this outfit does hit at a pretty nice clip on the surface switch. |
| King Gettigan |
| Outside drawn colt makes his first start off the claim by a barn that is profitable with this type right back; he wasn't bad from a wide spot in his first crack over the local main track and he'll get a big rider switch for this one; can get involved from a share. - Steve Grabowski |