Aqueduct: Closer Looks for April 4, 2014

Race 1

All Over Me

Draws the fence for another crack at the level after the sharp placing at 2 turns over the inner; barn's starters have come to run at this stand's infancy and this guy has the positional foot to stay within striking range of the front runners and looms a big threat to get there on top today; contender.

It Was All Good

Gets Lasix for the first time after offering improved lick on the stretchout with shades added; statebred hasn't been close at the wire in any of his 3 starts thus far, though, and doesn't figure to prove much of a threat in this spot, either; have to side against this big price.

Officer Mahaffy

Tries one turn again after a poor stretchout try when administered Lasix for the initial time; gelding goes for a low profile outfit that doesn't win too many races; not much to suggest a big move forward is forthcoming; passing.

The Iron Furnace

Stretches out while returning to the level of this barn's first out claim after a relatively even effort against a bit better in the local slop; maybe she gets more involved early on the stretchout and this outfit boasts some recent success with its quick returnees, but her sibs were a combined 0 for 26 on the track so don't know how quickly she's going to move forward; consider.

Privatize

Twelve time lose exits a beaten chalk placing in which he was well ahead of the third place finisher; the turn back to this trip should help and he does have the lick to work out a front end trip while returning to a trip at which he's run pretty well in the past; can see those trying to beat this type on the win end, but that's just what today's foes will have to do.

Dexter Cheesestake

Outside drawn gelding showed decent early foot while tracking the pacesetters in his local sprint debut last week and returns quickly for the stretchout; low percentage barn does well with runners tackling added ground and this guy is kin to a couple of route winners including 189K earner Copper Forest who won 7 main track routes; eligible to show more. - Steve Grabowski

Race 2

Violet Hour

Certainly has taken to American racing but now must deal with the Big A main oval for the first time; steady training track breeze last month is a plus yet she may not be able to establish a clear lead today even with the rail advantage; mixed signals for this filly who will be heavily backed.

Tizarocket

A fine claim 2 back, she showed versatility in graduating just over a month later; flashed some prompting speed in her only try over this main track and can be perfectly situated today behind battling speeds; do not overlook.

Fast 'n' Firm

Comes up light on pure Beyer cross-reference and there is nothing special about the latest breeze at five-eighths; seems to be aiming high today and will likely be viewed as one of the outsiders in the wagering.

Resolute Babe

The early fractions of her last try at Laurel were strong; has faced repeat winners in 3 of her 4 outings and she will prove a major presence today if able to put away Violet Hour's challenge; the extra distance today may pose more of a problem; still worth some inclusion in our book.

Go West Marie

One-run type needs a rapid early pace today in order to have a realistic chance; she was defeated 2 back by Red Minx who thereafter ran a very respectable fourth in the 100K Cicada Stakes; can be a strong late factor if all runners go.

Dear to All

Used the rail to full advantage when breaking through the n2l condition last month but showed a new dimension that day; similar to Resolute Baby in that she has faced several repeat winners already; looks like a comfortable fit.

Henry's Gal

Her latest effort was deceptively good as she was bumped soundly at the start before engaging in a lengthy duel with the second-place finisher (that battle set up the winner); she unfortunately draws widest here but that shortcoming might be negated by the red-hot trainer involved. - Jim Kachulis

Race 3

Midnight Missile

Blinkers off was the key to the graduation win in latest and new-Beyer speed figure Top; late runner not only faces a stiff class challenge facing winners for the 1st time but has exclusively raced vs. NY breds and today will take on open company for the 1st time; lone race on a wet-main track is the 2nd lowest Beyer of his career; saves all the ground then makes one run; would be a surprise.

Monster Mash

His latest-Beyer scoring a gate-to-wire victory towers over the others' most-recent numbers; along with Fly Bye Pomeroy is the one to catch here; can he come close to duplicating that huge effort when making his 1st start in 57 days with just 32 days idle for this?; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 81 in a next-out TAM-25K-claiming win; willing to excuse his career debut on wet footing his 452 Wet Tomlinson is a field-high mark; is the one to catch and beat.

Joking

Declining Beyers since a win 1st off the claim on wet footing but he loves the off track going 2-for-2 in exactas and his 449 Wet Tomlinson figure is just behind Monster Mash to top the field; stalking style suggests today's added half furlong will help the cause; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 84 in a next-out AQU-starter allowance win; the pick.

Mi Hijo

Ineligible, will be scratched.

Ballybrit

Chased the pace 1st off the claim producing a new Beyer-career Top; graduated on the lead in the mud but projects to chase pacesetters Fly Bye Pomeroy and Monster Mash; has been best on wet-main tracks which helps the cause but is ranked a notch behind Joking off last.

Salutos Amigos

Field-best Beyer speed figure was accomplished following a 50-day layoff with 48 days idle for this; new rider seemingly had other options but lands here; Santa Anita invader was handled by the runner-up finisher from last who Beyered 77 in a next-out SA-starter-alw. win; this could possibly be his 1st start ever on a wet-main track and he is here with a field-low 248 Wet Tomlinson.

Fly Bye Pomeroy

Projects to be a major-pace presence but needs a significant Beyer boost to make a dent vs. these; his 3-year-old campaign consisted of only 4 races now the long layoff for this; projects to stalk the speed for potentially his 1st-ever wet-main track start; last looks better since the runner-up and 5th-place finishers he defeated Beyered 79-65 in next-out PEN-starter alw. and LRL-5K-claiming wins; has been working steadily off the bench noting his career-best Beyer occurred following a similar absence. - Art Gropper

Race 5

Romancing the Gold

Proven on the surface, he was getting to the leaders in last and has more real estate now to try to reel them in; he has more speed than he just flashed as more experienced pilot takes the reins; cozy slot with the quick run to the first turn, could get away on the tote since he is facing some familiar foes; wraps added in last, try to get a good look at him on the track before getting out the wallet.

Tech Fall

Been over 2 full years since he has won; stopped on after the SAR race and there had to be a legit reason for the break; he is repeatedly proven fresh and you must respect everything from this stable.

Socialsaul

Hung wide in last but far from disgraced for this price in the 2014 opener; 2/22 winner repeated in a $16K starter winning by 2 here Wednesday; apparently not much of a work horse; would be careful here.

Sacred Ground

Connections have options; they entered Saturday in Philly in a $25K optional and tabbed at 3-1 on the morning line; out of the money in the last 2 tries for this price; he has never been in the money at 9 furlongs either; he pretty much races himself into shape with the light work tab; would be careful before banking on a repeat.

Tiz Gianni

Overmatched in the stakes two back and maybe he just needed the last effort; 1/18 place horse cashed next out in a $100K Tampa optional with a 94 Beyer; with his style, backers have to hope they go bonkers early and the race falls completely apart.

Joan's Choice

Pro has the two races to draw from now; never thrilled to see them give up clear leads but he should have his sea legs under him by now; note last win came in the stakes at this distance; an automatch threat just off the powerful claim angle. - Brian Mulligan

Race 6

Eye Luv Lulu

2-for-2 on wet-main tracks so he is doing the rain dance for the Geaux Mets rematch; the added furlong from recent races also helps the late-running cause; was also entered Thursday at 1 Mile where listed at 15-1 morning-line odds; C Velasquez was listed for the ride Thursday but today that rider takes Geaux Mets for this.

Ragtime

15-point Beyer speed figure improvement was expected 2nd-time out now has 62 days to regroup to test winners for the 1st time; figures to stalk Geaux Mets from the gate then hopes to have enough left late to hold off the closers to grind out a win; this could be his 1st-ever wet-main track start; good sign that he owns the 2nd-best Tomlinson Wet number in the field.

Geaux Mets

Projects as the one to catch; keeps the win rider who 1st time aboard posted a field-best Beyer with him when defeating similar rivals; it was a dominating performance and from that race Bass RIver Road will receive a positive 3-pound weight swing for this; chance for a wet-main track today is a concern as his only start on wet footing was a far-back finish vs. stakes company vs. the perfect Samraat; his Tomlinson wet figure is the lowest in the field.

Bass River Road

Couple of strong improvement angles which he hopes will be enough to turn the tables on Geaux Mets getting a positive 3-pound weight swing from that one for this; is 1-for-1 on wet-race tracks defeating the 2-back show finisher who Beyered 89 in a next-out AQU-optional-claiming win.

Texas Two Step

Loaded with upside off his debut victory which looks even better since the runner-up and 10th-place finishers both returned to win next out with 80-67 Beyers taking OP-MSW and 20K-maiden-claimers; style from the debut suggests 7F is well within his scope while the 439 Wet Tomlinson towers over the field suggesting he will love the off going for the new trainer; the pick. - Art Gropper

Race 7

Kate Greenaway

Very consistent breeze pattern for this daughter of Tiznow (who twice won the Breeders' Cup Classic and 6.42 million overall); his offspring have scored in 44 out of 611 debuts; the dam won 3 of 14 and 91K; winning sibs include G1 Grace Hall who banked 1.41 million.

Mrs. Patmore

New face hails from multiple G3 type Elusive Quality who netted 413K and whose progeny have won 15 percent of their first attempts; the dam was a G2 winner who notched 157K; there are no winning siblings to mention.

J. Quirk

A clear-cut second in her maiden voyage last summer at Saratoga, she was caught wide in her comeback race at Gulfstream last month; her sire won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and 1.31 million; the dam won 18K; sib to 70K earner Strikinglybeautiful.

Rosemarie

Keeps earning checks and has important prior experience over the Big A main; faces some promising runners in this field and would have to run a personal best in order to gain minor spoils; cannot vote for the top spot.

Candy Portena

Finished well to capture the place recently, one of her better performances; like the previous runner, however, she is facing a group today that may be the quickest she has ever encountered; thin slice possible.

Fame and Fortune

Excellent debut at Gulfstream (running second in an invisible key race with the fifth and sixth-place finishers winning their next start); see J. Quirk, above, for same sire info; the dam was a G1 winner who garnered 864K; sib to 687K earner Cross Traffic.

Atlantic Dream

Granted 11 chances already (including a G3 try) but her last few efforts indicate she may be rounding to top form now; slight cutback in distance can work in her favor and she picks up the services of a promising apprentice; respect.

Sun and Moon

Sheds the blinkers after some unfortunate trips at short odds; her best lifetime Beyer was achieved over this main track and her latest breeze at five-eighths suggests she is primed and ready; perfect in-the-money record should continue.

Royal Roxie

Multiple excuses to that first defeat; her sire won multiple G1s and 5.75 million; the dam won 2 of 19 and 62K; among the winning siblings is 97K earner Perfect Ride; the latest training track breeze was one of her best.

Sea Trial

Another offspring of Unbridled's Song to consider (see J. Quirk for sire stats); this filly's dam was also a G1 type who captured 1.95 million; sib to 51K earner Colors Flying; is this unlucky lass facing another repeat winner this afternoon?

Mei Ling

Encountered troubled in her Gulfstream venture; previous route efforts were sharp with today's scheduled rider in the irons; seems capable of handling the turnback for this expert trainer but will have to launch a perfect middle move; tough call. - Jim Kachulis

Race 8

Parc Monceau

She was in the classy hands of Drysdale out West; place horse in last took a $25K optional next out and the 5th finisher beat $12.5K claimers in next; nearly 8 clear two back, she has shown tactical speed and the ability to pass horses and the stakes attempt was not all that bad since the winner was clear; like the Florida to New York angle; look out.

Holiday's Jewel

Proven locally but she has lost ground in the lane in the last 3; the winner of last repeated in a $12.5K starter with a 95 Beyer; out of the money in the last return effort; hard to adore.

Rubindy

Pinballed on the gate in the debut but the maiden breaker was solid; she was given time to get so R and R and Palm Meadows and should come here right mentally; she cost nearly $500K and the blood as there as she is kin to Beautician, who won a stakes, was 2nd in the BC Juvenile Fillies and banked nearly $650K; she looks the speed of the speed; can't fault those that project a theft attempt.

Fade to Black

She has fired every time and now place horse in last was clear by the length of the stretch; she has lost a little ground late every time and the pace should be quicker here; needs very best.

Dowager

Miss has been cleverly managed; horse that beat her on 1/16 won at this very level with a 78 Beyer here last Saturday; she extended nicely in last but may have to come from off the pace this time; slight improvement and she should be right there. - Brian Mulligan