Aqueduct: Closer Looks for December 12, 2013

Race 1

Sus Annmaries Gold

Tries 2 turns while stepping up off the narrow score over the local main track last month; filly doesn't have much early foot and there's not a whole lot of that commodity in here, but the outfit has been going well since racing moved here earlier in the fall and this gal does look to be rounding back into form; consider.

Rock Show

Failed to factor while cut back to sprint in her first start off the claim by an outfit that's winless on the year and now she'll try routing; her score 2 back at Belmont wasn't bad and she's capable of showing up with a decent off the pace effort, but don't know that she's good enough to go with some of these; siding with others.

Lily Lynn

Beaten last out chalk enters this fresh and rolled to get within a length of the winner despite the poor break when the hood was removed on the drop in to face cheaper at one turn at Belmont; mare beat a softer set over the inner last winter and maybe the local return helps; more alert break can help her contend on the rise.

Bozique

Gray has hit the board in 4 straight and she'll switch surfaces for this one; barn hasn't had much recent luck with the move off the green but each of this gal's 3 career scores has come on dirt and 2 turn trips on dirt haven't been a problem for her.

Miss Tapit

Ships back into this circuit to make her inner track debut off a solid late running third over a turf course with some give in at the Meadowlands; she's only run once on dirt and caught a wet track so given her pedigree she deserves another shot over it; expect she'll be tighter with her last behind her but some pace up top would help.

Hundred Acre Wood

Stretches out for a low percentage outfit that gets her a weight break by naming a capable bug; maybe she's closer to the top early here, but 2 turns has not been her game and the barn hasn't had much luck of late second back from the break; her recent efforts make it tough to get excited about her chances of winning this.

Kaitlyns Cat

Sprinter just missed after chasing from a wide spot in her return to the local main track; barn doesn't do its best work with stretchouts, but this gal did break her maiden impressively while trying a long one turn trip in the spring and in her current form maybe today's added real estate agrees with her; closer to the top early in a paceless field she looms dangerous.

Race 2

Rock Me Mama

30%-winning turf-to-dirt trainer off the 50-day freshening and makes her 1st start on dirt; 1-for-20 jockey-trainer combo at AQU since 2012 and you get the feeling that win stat will improve soon; bet hard in last pair but was troubled in last when middle moving; the debut runner-up finisher posted a 78 Beyer speed figure in her next-out BEL-MSW win; obviously figures to be a major-stalking/pace presence.

Dixie My Way

Beat 1 runner combined from last pair; adds blinkers an 0-for-18 record for the trainer since 2012 with this move also 1-for the last-20 MSW-to-maiden claiming; there is not much to bite into here as she's been outrun in 1st pair; would be a shocker.

Red Constitution

Career-declining Beyer pattern but latest distant-show finish looks better since the winner repeated in a PRX-alw. with a 59 speed figure; 6 weeks idle for a super-fresh trainer as she continues to drop in price; debut runner-up and show finishers Beyered 78-70 in next-out KEE-G3 and BEL-MSW wins; logical contender.

Golden Annie

Latest 1st time going long was a good sign now has something to prove on dirt; finished 3rd in a key race 62 days ago defeating the 6th and 8th-place finishers next-out 58-47 Beyer MNR-MSW-15K-maiden-claiming winners; SAR-debut saw the runner-up and show finishers Beyer 85-61 in next-out BEL-75K-CD-30K-maiden-claiming victories.

Stephanie's Secret

Tests open company and dirt off the outrun-throughout 24-1 career debut; the dirt workouts are not very enticing in trying to get a gauge whether she will like the main track; some runners improve dramatically 2nd-time out and she has plenty of room to move forward; prefer others.

Race and Shine

Wish we saw better dirt workouts for her 1st-main track start but she did seem to enjoy 1 Mile in a 2nd-time out improvement; new barn yields 5% winners with runners 1st time for the trainer; unveilied vs. a strong group including the winner and runner-up finishers next-out 77-73 Beyer BEL-100K stakes-MSW winners.

Miss Red Cloud

Stretches out past 6.5F off the troubled-gate break in the debut; G3-sprint sire finished 4th in the G2 Withers at 1M in his only dirt route; dam won 2-of-9 dirt routes (14K) producing 412K-router Black Hills and 166K-router Kee Kaw.

Sarah's Big Day

Kentucky-Derby-Preakness sire is a solid 10-for-50 with 2-year-old 1st-time starters; is the 1st foal out of a SP dam in the mud; she won 7-for-18 dirt routes (135K); shown flashes in the worktab that she may be a runner; 1M and 70 yards could be a big obstacle 1st-time out against all-experienced runners.

Camden Jane

Bullet-dirt workout suggests she will like the main track it's a question of getting the 8.3M distance; figures to be a major-pace presence; she regressed 2nd-time out on the Beyer scale after her career debut represents the field's best speed figure; 50 days since her 2nd-straight turf fade in the stretch; the debut runner-up finisher Beyered 68 in a next-out KEE-MSW win.

Race 3

Indian Splendor

She looks like the one to catch; she draws the rail and should make good use of the post as she has broken on top in six of her eight career starts; has been in the zone all year long, and enters with the field's best last-race Beyer Speed Figure; stakes-placed runner is a win candidate.

Run a Dubb Dubb

She leaves the statebred ranks behind, but she is returning to a distance that has produced her best recent finish; she's also a winner on the inner track at Aqu; has some natural speed, and while she is shortening up in distance, she might settle into third behind a few of these; one who can share.

Lady Gracenote

She has a notable age edge on these as she is a 6-year-old mare facing a field of 3-year-old fillies; has class appeal as she has placed in three stakes in her career, and note two back was fourth in the Grade 2 Top Flight at Aqu; has reason to move forward here in what will be her second start since March; a concern is whether she will get the pace she needs to fuel her kick.

Carameaway

She will be giving up recency to all of these as she has not seen action since July; returns at a distance that might be a little less than optimum for her, but it's a logical starting point following the layoff; comebacker is one to preview in the paddock.

Uno Duo

She could get an ideal tracking trip off Indian Splendor from this tactical outside post; she also could be a little closer to the pace than she found herself last time, as she was turning back from seven furlongs to six panels; has turned a bullet three-eighths since that start, and could be sitting on a peak race in her third start since July; is also bred for stakes success as a half-sister to Group 1 winner Etoile Montante ($659K); choice.

Race 4

Fashionation

Sired by G1 pure sprinter City Zip who won 818K and whose offspring have done well first time out, winning at a rate of 15 percent; the dam won 3 of 8 and 201K; winning siblings include 162K earner All in With Aces; shows modest a.m. breezes.

Hangingwithsonny

Forced wide in her Big A debut last month, she can improve from this slot; she should be within range of the soft pace that seems in store here and warrants some trifecta inclusion on that premise.

Henry's Gal

New face was sired by multiple G3 winner Disco Rico who banked 532K and whose progeny have won 16 out of 176 debuts; the dam involved was unraced; among the winning siblings is 159K earner Disco's Son.

Talk to Me

Earned a personal best Beyer in the latest run and had to deal with an extreme outpost that day; stays at the same level and should be able to middle move; less appealing odds a certainly here but still merits a look.

Stormin Mary

Never in the money and there is no reason to foresee a sudden turnaround; did encounter trouble when losing to some of these same foes in recent starts and tries yet another different rider; cannot endorse at this time.

Colleen's Angel

Flashed decent speed in her maiden voyage at Finger Lakes; lands into fairly paceless line-up today and may not have to improve much in order to last for a major share; should be inviting odds despite the drop from special weights.

See Me Sometime

Descendants of Stanislavsky, who won 1 of 6 and 75K, are 3 for 34 as far as winning their first test; the dam won 2 of 22 appearances and 71K; there are no wining siblings to mention; some decent training track breezes turned in last month.

Maybry's Fortune

Tries blinkers for the first time and although failing to make an impact in the last pair, she is properly placed now; a beaten favorite in her last visit to the claiming ranks, the grey should be able to press the issue from the opening bell.

Lady Luciano

Outfinished by Talk to Me last time out, but she showed much more early foot in that defeat; her sire won the G1 Suburban and 454K while the dam won 6 of 28 and 93K; sib to 32K earner Solid Gold Victory.

Here Comes Stoney

Went to post as the chalk in her first run but disappointed after an alert start; her sire won the G1 Carter and 480K in total; the dam won 2 of 18 and 54K; winning siblings include 299K earner Metro Meteor; can rebound.

Race 6

Bay Dawn

Lost plenty of energy prior to the start of her debut and perhaps can rebound with the scheduled changes on view; her sire won a G3 stakes and 214K; the dam was a pure turf runner who netted 361K; there are no winning sibs.

Check the Credit

Earned only a minor check thus far but drops to this low level for the first time; can upgrade with the turnback in distance and did flash some fair early zip in the route attempt 2 races ago; remains a puzzle.

Charming Eyes

Woke up in her initial Aqueduct appearance when capturing the show at a big price; has to be put into the race sooner and today lands into a field that appears very light; worthy of some trifecta usage.

Heartfelt Jazz

Beginner was sired by multiple G1 victor Grand Slam who captured 971K and whose progeny have won 107 out of 931 debuts; the dam won 6 of 28 and 145K; among the winning sibs is 135K earner Boowoogeemalia; modest work tab on display.

Holly's Sister

Not much firepower shown on either surface but she had the tough outside post in the last run; her sire won 2.19 million including G1 success; the dam went zero for 9; among the winning siblings is 63K earner Holly Holly.

Miss Charlize

Firster was sired by Queen's Plate winner Wild Desert who had lifetime earnings of 1.04 million but the glaring statistic is that his offspring are zero for 52 first time out; the dam won 3 of 20 and 153K; sib to 207K earner Rosa Salvaje.

Livininthefastlane

The scheduled blinker addition should help immensely as she has shown some pace prompting ability and has suffered through some tough racing luck; reverts to apprentice Franco who has done well in recent weeks; playable.

Keep in Mind

Has shown little staying power thus far and tries fifth different rider in as many starts, not the best of signs; trounced by some of these same opponents in recent starts, the song will likely remain the same.

L'S Escalator

Elevated in the last run when displaying a surprising burst of early speed which carried her to the stretch; might be able to slow down the fractions in this ordinary line-up and last longer; note vastly improved training track workout of 11 days ago.

Front Cover Dream

Poor record thus far and she must deal with the outside path this afternoon; dropping in half as far as price tag goes seems immaterial; unlikely to show any enthusiasm here and cannot be recommended.

Race 7

Scotus

Pro goes from one capable barn to another; he basically flattered the Jacobson runner with the win last time; the 8/2 winner repeated in a $100K LAD stakes, won again in a $100K optional at CD, and then took a $125K stakes at Gulfstream last Thursday with a 92 Beyer; like fact he beat higher-priced foes in May but will likely have to improve to repeat.

Itsagoodtendollars

Five of the 9 wins came on the inner, he's only been out of the money twice on this surface and that must be respected; he has been handled by a couple of today's foes and will have to step up; runner has some semblance of speed but can't see him clearing if Writingonthewall has anything to say about it; another slice?

Photon

Gelding cashed off the claim for the lone win this year and he was life and death to do it; runner has decent speed and he doesn't need the lead to win; maybe he didn't care for the rail last time; must find a way to turn the tables on rival on the direct inside.

Writingonthewall

Senior citizen has been in some good barns over the years; proven locally and fresh, note show horse in last was nearly 4 clear; place horse in last took a $25K optional next out and Scotus came back to beat $20K claimers; he can get the trip; he won at 8 and a half furlongs on grass in 2010 at Saratoga; may be long gone.

Most Happy Fella

Several slices since the last win but he has had a tendency to lost ground late in the recent stuff; best when sent along, but not convinced he will be able to clear here; not sure this race sets up all that great for him today.

Point Taken

All this runner does is strap on the work boots, punch the clock and run hard; must respect his consistency and he got a boost when the winner of last repeated in a $100K optional here with a 94 Beyer; gelding looms the stalking half of the Jacobson pair; should be around the wire once again.

Dawly

Game in the win last time but we really don't know how much it may have taken out of him; he has had two hard races in a row now too; in the exacta in 5 of 7 on the inner and he seems at least fit enough after the 11/30 drill since the last effort; far too sharp not to take seriously.

Vee's Accolade

Even though he has only won twice, he s a coveted item because he brings back checks and maybe he's just one little change away from finding the will to win; show horse in last cashed next out in a $20K claimer here with an 82 Beyer; with 19 slices, it s hard to think about keying him on top only.

Burned Bridges

The good news is this is his surface; the bad news is outside of getting good for a little over a week, this guy has been a disappointment; 5th finisher in last took a $4K Suffolk claimer next out, place horse beat $15K claimers next out and the winner repeated in a $14K seller; needs very best.

I Want You to Know

Wins have come in Maryland and on the synthetic; spotty race record is a concern but note the blinks are off, just like they have been for all 4 victories; this distance could be pushing the envelope as note last 2 mile wins were all out; must hurry.

Race 8

Sidearm

He's shortening up to six furlongs and note he won at this distance in his debut at Saratoga; has class appeal for the fact that he is stakes-placed; also owns a series of competitive Beyer Figures; looking for him to make some noise in the lane; leading contender.

Native Hero

He ran a fine race last out in his first start against winners, when second over a field that included Sidearm and Sandcat; shortens up to the distance of his maiden win, and on the turnback figures to be making his case in the later stages; dam was a 12-time winner who earned $118K; win candidate.

Bass River Road

He got it right in his debut last out, when a neck winner over fellow statebreds; now faces winners for the first time and he could regress some in the face of more experienced rivals; at the same token, he can be closer to the pace than a number of these, perhaps tracking Geaux Mets; dam was a four-time winner who earned $222K.

Court Dancer

Filly facing colts took on the boys last time in a statebred turf stakes and was prominent to the later stages; is back on dirt and back sprinting and note she was a smashing debut winner on the main track at Sar, and the Beyer Figure of 76 she earned in that five and a half furlong race is this field's best career number; win candidate.

Geaux Mets

He steps into the allowance ranks after defeating $35K maiden claiming rivals last out at Aqu: added blinkers for the race and showed more speed than ever before; does not appear to have an abundance of pace competition in this spot, and could take these a long way on the lead; can share.

Social Rebellion

Broke on top on the cutback in distance last time when fifth in a restricted stakes; might be closer to the pace this time around, in his second straight start at six furlongs; could also be closer for the move to the overnight ranks; looks like a contender.

Sandcat

He met winners for the last out and finished behind a pair he hooks again here, Native Hero and Sidearm; like that he broke on top last out, and he may be well-served by the turnback to six furlongs as his maiden score came at five and a half panels; could get a nice stalking trip off a few runners tucked to his inside; win candidate.