Aqueduct: Closer Looks for December 1, 2013

Race 2

Flowing Mane

Cuts back to this rarely run in-between distance after a game try at a mile; must somehow avoid another duel with rival Indigene Charm who battled this gelding last time for a good part of the running; sole victory was accomplished off-the-pace, a possibility here.

Ego Friendly

Broke maiden at the course and distance nearly a year ago but has accomplished little since; goes back to blinkers and exits a race which involved an extra-wide trip; still will have to improve substantially in order to land a major share.

I'm Wide Awake

Fine showing on the turf last month and he is in the hands of one of the top trainers on this circuit; has been facing multiple winners for quite some time and the drop to this level is dramatic; should be a major force down the stretch.

Stone Rocks

Rallied after the fact in his last run but has no experience whatsoever beyond 7 furlongs; not sure if there is an adequate pace set-up to fit his style and therefore cannot be given the main vote today.

Indigene Charm

Cooked in a speed duel with Flowing Mane, he faces the same fate today; his sole victory was accomplished over the inner dirt course (at today's distance and by more than 9 lengths) and he is worth remembering when racing switches to that venue soon.

Puget Sound

Decent try behind at the course and distance but he might have been too close to the pace in the middle stages; can be reserved for one stronger charge today and should offer a much better price than in that latest run; switches to Velasquez who has a fine record for these connections.

Secret Soul

Only 2 starts this year and he did not have a smooth trip in the last defeat; makes his belated main track debut but his sire was purely a grass performer and an excellent one, a multiple G1 winner of 1.52 million; the dam won 4 of 15 and 101K; sib to 99K earner Perfect Cherokee.

Market Blaster

Finally graduated when returning to this surface a month ago and actually earned his best lifetime Beyer at the course and distance last season; might be overlooked in the wagering and the ideal situation would be settling in behind battling leaders.

Summer Sands

Aimed way too high last time and he should give a much better account of himself against these limited winners; should be much closer to the lead today because of the expected pace transition; worth some use in your exotic wagering approach.

Candy Raider

Exits the same race as Summer Sands but was never involved that day; third start off the bench may not matter and he may be caught up in a logjam at the back of the pack; must find a way to get into the race sooner.

You Tarzan

He has not raced over the main oval in quite some time and it seems unlikely he can handle this particular distance; shows limited workout activity since the last defeat on the green; perfect stalking position may not be easy to achieve.

Race 3/h2>

Coach A. J.

Drops in price for the surface switch after another weak effort at a big price; gelding showed some speed in his most recent main track try, but it's been a while since he's been a serious threat over the footing; have to side against this longshot today.

Charlie's Punch

Statebred tries cheap claimers after offering little on the stretchout to this trip in his local return; his lone win outside the maiden ranks came at this one turn mile trip across town and the barn has had a nice stand, but the way this one's been going it's tough to make a serious case for him getting back on track.

J W Blue

Beaten chalk for a higher price on Thanksgiving is entered to reutrn in just a few days while returning to the level of the near miss a week prior to his last; barn boasts a sharp winning clip with these quick returners and the improved early foot he showed the other day would certainly benefit him in here; contender.

Political Justice

Tracked a hot clip on the stretchout to this trip last time and held pretty well to be beaten just a half length by one of today's foes; expect he'll again be involved early and that could give him the jump on his main foes today; he'll get a new pilot for this one and both he and the barn have had a rough stand; concern is that he doesn't win so often anymore.

Say Mr. Sandman

Sprinter stretches out after being beaten just a couple of lengths at the level in his third straight seventh place finish; maybe he's a little closer from the bell at this shorter trip and he does own numbers that fit in this spot; barn is having a rough go of it at the stand.

Classic R and B

Four year old hasn't hit the board since the spring and his barn has been blanked here; maybe the added ground helps shake him up a bit, but he gets yet another new pilot for another crack at this level; have to pass on him.

Marquet Rebel

It's been a long time since this guy proved much of a threat and he failed to factor at 129-1 while making his first start in 5 months last out; barn is winless on the year and they name a pilot who hasn't seen the winner's circle here; huge price once again.

Terminus

Moved forward to beat some of these home at the trip on Thanksgiving and is offered for a cheaper price today; gelding returns in just a few days but he loves the local main track and maybe now that he's gotten back on track he ha another big one in him; they'll have him to beat if he returns in this spot.

Suilleabhain

New York bred didn't have much to offer against restricted runners in his return to the main track and now he'll get another new pilot; he did break his maiden sprinting over the track earlier in the year and subsequently showed some ability turfing, but even with a move forward off his last a minor award would likely be his ceiling.

Race 4

Lil Tiffy

Nearly 7 months idle since finishing evenly in a key race; the winner and 7th-place finishers from last posted 65-34 Beyer speed figures in next-out IND-15K claiming and CD-20K-maiden-claiming wins; the 2-back runner-up finisher graduated next out in a HAW-starter alw. with a 68 Beyer; removes blinkers off the bench seeking answers following a career-low number.

Lovely Bella

Defeated 1 runner combined in the 3 races in 2013 all for a new trainer; her 2 races over today's AQU-Main oval were poor performances inluding the November, 2012, loss vs. the show runner who Beyered 62 in her next-out AQU-25K-maiden claiming win.

Absolute Paradise

Up-and-down recent form exiting her lowest Beyer since October, 2012, when returning to AQU Main for last while 2-back chased the winner who repeated in a LRL-5K claimer with a 53 speed figure; new rider is her 6th in the last 6 races so probably isn't an easy filly to ride either.

High Inflation

Consistent sort has not fired a bad race since July; she is doing the rain dance today noting her 3-back exacta finish in the mud; 1st race off the claim was a loss to Myperfectvalentine and would have to get by that one here to graduate as it looks like she may want more distance than 6F?

Estrange

1st start on dirt today after fading on grass she has not fired back to her debut career-best Beyer yet; posted a steady worktab over the main track for this; gets in with her lightest-weight assignment ever hoping to break sharply from the gate then keep on going up top.

Christys Temper

140 days since finishing last for the 3rd straight start; best Beyer on turf at longer while the workouts for this off the bench are not-very enticing; the 3-back winner repeated in a BEL-20K claimer with a 61 Beyer; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Knockout Beauty

Sire is 31-for-330 with 1st-time starters; is out of a stakes-winning dam (5-for-25, 189K) who produced 4 winners from 6 other foals to race including 87K-earner Candy Ma'am (2-for-13); lone-debut runner in the field gives away seasoning and experience to each rival.

Rettalfa

111 days since an even finish; her 3 races since blinkers were added have been so-so efforts with her lone exacta finish and career-best beyer posted without the hood on; lone-exacta finish was off a 121-day layoff so she does fire well fresh.

Alyish

Just 2 starts so still has some upside even though she was defeated by more than 40 lengths combined in her defeats; flashed gate speed in both starts and sheds weight for this hoping to carry that early zip a lot longer; the 1-for-92 maiden-claiming trainer since 2012 suggests we will know her early but unsure about late.

Myperfectvalentine

Rallied behind a runaway winner in last when returning to 6F; she posted co-field-best Beyers at 1 Mile in June and July one each on turf and dirt; best-racing style has been where she rallies from off the pace but in some of her losses sped off and has been in front in 2 of her last 4 races; a well-timed ride would make her a tough customer vs. this group; the pick.

Race 5

Dan's Gold

Runner has won on this circuit; he beat state-bred N1X foes here in March of last year and he broke his maiden on the inner in a maiden $30K claimer; proven at this trip and he has more speed than he flashed in last; don't ignore.

Bernardo

Finally figured it out and nothing wrong with the two races vs. winners; the 10/6 place horse cashed next out in a $14K optional, then won a $125K stakes here 11/23 with a 94 Beyer; slight improvement and he will be a handful.

Warrior Up

Far from a win machine, check the 9 slices and 3 wins; the Beyers are going in the right direction but he is facing some familiar foes; he ran into the traffic jam briefly in last as new bug takes the reins; has some things to iron out.

Pure Attitude

Hot claim-box item needs a rebound run; note show horse in last cashed next out in a $14K optional with a 76 Beyer; he has had a nice career but only 2 wins so far in the last 2 years and the last was all out; barn super off the red tag and trainer is firing with everything in the stable right now.

Bake Shop

Two of his 3 wins came at this trip; he got good for about a month this year but what happened to the speed he used to flash?; pushed into the live stakes two back, but then he had dead aim in last and could not carry on with the momentum; still must be left in the exotic mix at least.

Iron Power

Kind of throttled down in last and would rather see him given his lead, let him roll, let the chips fall where they may; he can give you a :45 and change half if in the mood but doesn't need the lead to win; maybe he was intimidated by the rail in last; don't go to sleep on this guy.

So Scott

Runner seems to move up in the off going; gelding was in kind of tough on the cut back last time in the stakes but he s proven in this league and he was inching away in that 8/9 score; note runners in the company line that day were clear; one concern: 3 times as many slices as wins.

Status of Forces

Gelding has had his chances in this league to no avail; he got a boost when the 10/11 place horse cashed next out in a $35K optional with an 85 Beyer; grinder has to prove it on the dirt; a slice may be the ceiling for this guy.

Papa Tom

Inner strip only?; could be; he's been around the wire a couple of times at this level and note he only beat 6 rivals in that last win; more experienced pilot takes the reins; needs very best.

Dehere of the Cat

The first attempt in this league was solid in the 5-horse field but he has not been able to duplicate that Beyer; mirror races in the last pair but they came on the wrong surface; sometimes when late-running sprinters like this go long, they are closer early and don t have the same punch.

Go Get the Basil

These are his friends; nice improvement with the blinks in last and good barn thought enough of him to try the Graded foes; he's trained forwardly for this and the show horse in last cashed next out at this very level, then was 2nd a head in a $100K stakes here 11/16; respect.

Ultimate Empire

Colt has been very consistent vs. winners; note he was 5 clear two back in his league and his tactical speed will almost always give him first run on the deep closers; he's kept his legs moving with a couple of spins since the last effort; rates long look in all the slots.

Race 6

Heading to Boca

Steps up to the MSW ranks following a late running sprint try from a wide spot first time out; both of the dam's wins came sprinting but she did drop a route wunner and there is A.P. Indy blood on the top of his pedigree so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him handle the added trip.

Classic Sense

They tried the lawn with this beaten first out chalk and now he'll move to a surface that seems to better fit this 300k in training buy's pedigree; he did show he can run some in that one and he is kin to G2 SW router and 908K earner Handsome Mike who took the Pennsylvania Derby at this 9 panel, 2 turn trip; contender.

Street Gent

He was no match for the runaway winner in his first crack on dirt but he did run ok from the fence in that last out 9 panel heat; colt comes from a female family that has been better sprinting and/or on the green, but several are main track route winners including multiple SW and 425K earner Beau Dare; maybe he moves forward some second time on the dirt; consider.

Rare Eagle

Adds the hood after offering little on the move to 2 turns in his second career start and first over the local main track colt did show some late running ability at a big price in his crosstown debut and maybe the new equipment helps him maintain focus second time at the trip; one of his 2 winning sibs did so routing; price will be better this time.

This Guy Is Blue

He's another who will be getting shades while trying dirt for the initial time in this spot; wasn't beaten much in his turf debut but hasn't had a lot to offer in 2 route spins since that one; dam dropped 5 main track route winners, most notably G2 SP, SW and 263K earner Lotta Rhythm and Lotta Kim, another G2 SP, SW who banked 146K and who is probably best known for dropping 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra.

Goodnewsisnonews

First part of the entry offered little first out at Belmont last month but the Pletcher barn hits at a huge clip with runners second time out; 250K yearling buy is kin to 3 multiple route winners including 1.2 million earner and multiple G1 SP router Fly Down; expecting a better try on the stretchout.

Tourist

Gets shades off a disppointing second out spin after offering some promise sprinting first out at Belmont; barn does improve them with racing and this new pilot does quite well for them; dam was a 3 time sprint winner whose other foal to race was SW arouter and 170K earner Michael With Us.

Franked

Offered little and beat just a few runners home in his 2 starts and now they'll move him back to the main track; maybe the new shades help this 390K in training buy and he is kin to a route winner, but he's going to need to take a big step forward to go with what some of these have already run.

Away Game

He's yet another experimenting with shades on the stretchout to 2 turns in this heat; he earned a solid number while failing to threaten in his Belmont finale and he is a full brother to 464K earner Wilkinson who is a G1 SP, G2 SW turf router and a G3 SW router on the main track so maybe he'll have more to offer at this new configuration.

Special Agent

Colt is bred to adore routing but he was unveiled in a local sprint a few weeks back against a good thing winner and didn't do a lot of running; he'll get Lasix today for a barn that is known for taking time with its runners; dam was a G1 Kentucky Oaks winner who banked a million prior to dropping 2 time G1 SP router and 393K earner Dunkirk; he figures to run a lot better at this trip and must be considered.

King Kongrats

Nothing in 3 sprint tries and now he'll stretchout from this outside draw; he is kin to a limited route winner and his pedigree does say the added trip could bring out his best, but off what he's shown thus far we can only watch him.

Village Warrior

Other half draws a tough post for his first crack at 2 turns; ran well against the grain of the track in his sloppy Saratoga debut run but didn't fare nearly as well over dry footing next out at Belmont; dam was a route winner but her lone winning foal did so sprinting; maybe some moisture in the track would help.

Race 7

Vielsalm

Mid-Atlantic shipper has been in good form lately but her best race doesn't appear to be anywhere near strong enough to threaten the top contenders in here; this looks like a difficult spot for her to make her first start in New York.

Sally's Dream

Horse-for-course just missed in back-to-back stakes attempts two and three starts ago and she put together a solid winning performance in her latest outing; she projects to sit a favorable trip after breaking from an inside post, and depending on what Baragh does, she might even find herself on an easy early lead; 9-time winner figures to be tough to deal with.

Lady of Gold

Stakes placed filly ran well in her first start after a layoff in her latest outing and that was the first time she raced with blinkers; this is a pretty tough spot for her to land in, and it might be worth noting the presence of Maragh aboard another in here, but not going to count her out of the mix.

Baragah

This isn't a soft spot for her to meet winners for the first time but she did step up her game in her turf debut in her latest outing; she's out of a multiple G1 winning dam who won 6 of 16 starts for $1.6 million, including 5 of 12 North American turf starts for $1.6 million, and this miss is a 1/2 to G3 stakes placed Habaya (2-5, 135k over turf) and G3 stakes placed Hatheer (2-9, 138k over turf).

Caribean Beat

She's been beaten by a few of today's rivals in her recent starts and she's going to need to dial up her best effort to date if she's to prove to be the one in this spot; she loses the services of Rosario and she goes out for a barn that has had a quiet 2013.

Funny Money

She's gotten the job done in three of her last five starts, and even though she's going to need to step it up along the Beyer Speed Figure scale to get the better of this field, it's probably a good idea to respect her chances when seeing that she goes out for one of the best turf barns in the country.

Adriatic Dream

Stone-cold closer has run well against a few of today's rivals in her recent starts but it doesn't look like she's going to get a closer-friendly early pace scenario; like to see that she's run well over this turf course, and not going to count her out of a spot underneath in the exotics, but looking in another direction for the top spot.

Her Star

Have to respect the chances of this import as she's stakes placed racing overseas and she shows up for a barn that usually has them ready for their first start in America; she's out of a G2 winning dam who won 4 of 8 turf starts for 216k, and this filly is a full to G3 winner Silver Reunion (2-4, 159k over turf).

The Blonde Peque

This filly has a nice pedigree for turf and like to see the improvement she showed along the Beyer Speed Figure scale in a winning performance in her latest outing; she is meeting up with winners for the first time, but she looks like she's on the improve.

Frege

Like the way that she performed in her first two turf starts of the year and she figures to appreciate the class relief after testing stakes competition in her two most recent races; maybe there's something to be said for Ortiz piloting another in here, but going to list her among the contenders.

Disarona

She deserves credit for getting the job done in half of her 10 career starts, including two of four turf starts, but she's never faced a field this tough before; this is a high win percentage barn, and Potts has won with 13 of 50 (26%) mounts for them in 2013, but going to look toward others.

Ezpz Lemon Squeeze

She was soundly defeated by today's rival Sally's Dream in her most recent start and she hasn't run a race in her career that is fast enough to suggest that she can jump up on this field; she has the look of an outsider.

E Z Passer

There figures to be quite a few scratches if this race has to be taken off the turf, but this is still likely to prove to be a difficult spot for this mare to land in; perhaps she can prove to be an early pace player, but going to look for others to have more to offer through the lane.

Sandcastle

She looks like she's better off sprinting than routing and lately she seems to be more comfortable racing over turf than dirt; going to look for her to be involved in the running early on, but a late fade might be in the cards.

Holiday's Jewel

She got the job done in an off-the-turf event in her latest outing and her best effort is capable of getting her into the mix against these; however, she does appear to be the weaker of the two Friedman-trained horses signed on in here.

Dreaming of Cara

Her better Beyer Speed Figures have been earned racing over turf, but this stakes placed filly is more than capable of producing a performance over dirt that is strong enough to make her a threat for the top spot against these; obvious player if she gets to go.

Race 8

Smooth Bert

All 3 wins were accomplished racing on the lead or forwardly placed so when he broke 6th from the gate in last essentially lost all chance; 54 days since posting an even finish vs. Vegas No Show; his last race on AQU Main was a runner-up finish vs. lesser New York breds; the 9%-winning fresh trainer does not help the confidence level that he will fire a huge one right off the layoff today.

Souper Knight

Just 4 races on his resume so still has some upside; has not raced this far since the debut defeat but was screaming out for more distance in last during the stakes-placing in Maryland; also entered Saturday in an easier LRL-optional claimer with a 45K purse attached; the trainer has not had a lot of success shipping up at this AQU-Main meet (5-0-1-0).

Battier

0-for-6 for the new trainer; he put in a sharp effort 2-back in defeat posting the field's best Beyer in the Pa. Derby; did not show up as expected with his best in latest when returning to AQU-Main; he is already a stakes winner on this oval; has to avenge latest loss to Micromanage to get the money here; cutting back to his shortest-distance test since May off recent rallies does not add to the appeal.

Micromanage

Have to go back to his 2012 Champagne at 1 Mile to see him compete at such a short distance; rallied at longer but the class releief should be appreciated exiting 4 consecutive-graded events; needs a pace metldown to roll by these in deep stretch.

Vegas No Show

Snapped the 2-race win streak when returning to race over today's AQU-Main oval where he has been far off his best (0-for-4) form; posted a 4-for-11 record on all other surfaces but today's; his last race going 1 Mile was a loss to Battier on the AQU Main; view as a major-pace presence.

Long River

Saved best for last posting a career-best Beyer on BEL dirt validated when the show finisher Beyered 95 in his next-out AQU-optional-claiming win; been a new runner since Lasix was added; the 3-back winner repeated in the G2 La. Derby with a 95 speed figure; the Jerome winner repeated next out in an AQU-G3 with a 93; main concern is today is race 1 on AQU Main and his other 2 stakes losses albeit vs. graded-stakes company were not his best efforts; the pick.