Aqueduct: Closer Looks for December 20, 2013

Race 2

Winter Games

Educated in the debut, showed vast improvement in last; The Man Himself exited debut to graduate next out in a MSW at the shore, then lost next several; stakes winning 3 for 9 dam banked nearly $400K; long full sis to race Captivating Lass took the Busanda, was route only, banked about $135K; slight improvement and he will be around the line.

Buddy's Smart

Mauled at the break, he's due to show some ability; Grade 2 winning 10 for 24 dam banked over $1.4 million; 2 of 4 siblings won; SW top kin Summer Laugh won long, banked over $80K; must display more.

Bellamy Chief

Colt has more speed than he just flashed but he has the 2 races to draw from now and should run big; 10/9 place horse graduated next out in this league with a 78 Beyer; there is route success in the tree, but no monsters; the one to deny.

Engine

Soph could have sulked in the debut after the poor start but he tried hard and then was caught wide; 3 for 15 dam took 2 routes; 3 of 5 siblings won; one took a route; top kin More Smoke took a G3, banked over $250K; can't fault those that give him another shot at glory.

Bred to Boss

Trainer tinkers with blinkers but that long layoff until October is a valid concern; backers can point to the fact there is route success in the tree and one sibling did bank over $200K; would be careful here.

Brabbham

He brings :45 and change speed and could flash more with the addition of the blinks; the blood sure is classy as top kin Havre de Grace took multiple G1s, banked over $2.5 million; can never dismiss this kind of zip.

Street Prince

Even after the decent 2nd two back, fans didn't exactly go to the well at 15-1 and they were right on the money; there is at least a triple route winner in the tree; finally off the rail, must hustle. By Brian Mulligan

Race 3

Evandear

Shipper makes her first local start for an outfit that does terrific work with runners first time under their care; number this sprinter earned in her Kentucky finale puts her right in the thick of this and she's well drawn to take it to the locals from the bell; pedigree says the route should pose her little problem in her current form; looks to be the one to catch.

Porvoo

Makes her first start off the claim by an outfit that has yet to win a race this year; gray has been freshened for her return to dirt but she's been clearly better on the green; her speed could have her close again early in here, but don't think she'll have enough to go on when the chips are down; passing on her today.

Nickerdoodle

Sophomore enters this one on the improve as she's figured things out since returning from the late summer freshening; late runner didn't do much in her lone dirt spin, but the sharp outfit does nice work with its runners switching surfaces so maybe she takes to it while given a confident rise in company; concerned that her running style could leave her with a lot to do late in here, however.

Majestic Marquet

Ships back into this circuit while being offered for the optional tag after getting on track too late from a wide spot in her return from the brief freshening at Laurel; filly boasts a nice kick when on her game and she's shown that she likes 2 turns as well so the stretch back out should help; barn's lone uncoupled runner in here looks to be a big threat in the lane.

Firenze Feeling

First part of the coupling returns to the scene of her lone loss in 3 career spins and look at what the winner of that heat went on to do this year (took 4 G1 stakes routes, including 3 on this circuit); her other 2 scores were very good and this outfit knows how to bring them back ready; proven off drills, the main concern is that they are willing to lose her for the optional tag today; with her pilot named on both halves of the entry only one will go; contender.

Allie Sweet

Other half of the entry was dominant in victory over a cheaper set when last sighted a few months back at Belmont; she was taken from that heat by this outfit and they do pretty well with their claimed runners first time under their care; she did handle 2 turns in the maiden breaker over the Spa lawn so this configuration shouldn't pose her much trouble; lightly raced filly has a right to move forward in search of her third straight score.

Royal Suspicion

Statebred tries open company after beating restricted runners at one turn on the main track; inner track winner enters this in solid form and her 2 turn numbers earlier in the season certainly fit will with this bunch; in the money in 6 straight starts, wouldn't count her out. By Steve Grabowski

Race 4

Zol Zayne

Twice beaten chalk draws the fence for the stretchout while dropping to his lowest level yet for his first crack outside of Canada; new barn boasts a little recent luck with this type and this guy has shown some one turn lick; his career best effort did come routing, but he's yet to try a conventional dirt surface and doesn't boast any local morning moves; fresh face will probably take money, but the gelding does catch a field ripe for the taking; contender.

Red Supreme

Goes for a tag for the initial time after never getting involved against MSWs on the local main track; sophomore wasn't bad on turf earlier in the year but the dam was a main track route winner and dropped one of the same so maybe he deserves a look at a price on the drop.

Polaris Dream

Hew York bred tries open claimers in this spot while moving from turf to dirt off a couple of poor efforts against restricted runners; his dirt spins earlier in the year weren't anything special and there's not a lot to suggest he'll be able to contend in this spot.

El Dreamer

Last out runner up returns to the inner track over which he's finished second no less than 8 times in his winless 46 race career; he has little early lick and has had plenty of chances, but on his best he's certainly capable of getting in the mix with this field.

Vinhdication Spot

She's hit the board in each of her 3 starts thus far, but wasn't a threat to the winner in either of her 2 dirt tries and now she'll try the boys; new outfit hasn't won a race all year and they'll bring this filly back from 7 months on the shelf with just a few short and slow breezes on her tab; figures to be better next time.

Mach Seven

Adds the hood for his first start off the claim for an outfit that has yet to see the winner's circle this year; gelding did run ok despite trouble in his first start back from 15 months on the shelf and his dam was a SW sprinter and 225K on this circuit so maybe he has some more ability than he's shown thus far; worth a look.

Mad Props

Wasn't a factor in either of his turf route tries in the MSW ranks and now he'll try dirt; his drills don't suggest he's going to love the surface switch and the barn hasn't had any recent luck moving them off the green.

Lion Keen

Makes his first start on dirt for a barn that excels on the surface switch; outside draw did hurt him when beaten chalk off the outfit's claim and his pedigree certainly gives the indication that going long on the main track may prove to be his game; giving him the nod to beat these home. By Steve Grabowski

Race 6

Cat Man Fu

The 0-for-30 dirt record is hard to overlook while his last minor award was in July; his last race on AQU-Inner Dirt was in March a show finish vs. MSW company rallying at 1 Mile which has been his best distance; the added yardage here can only help the cause; logical contender saves ground then makes one run.

No Nukes

Just one race during career attempting 8.3F or longer was on turf where he finished last; was outfinshed in latest when stretched out vs. lesser-maiden-claiming types; the 3-back runner-up Beyered 80 in his next-out AQU-35K-maiden-claiming win; races 1st time on AQU Inner Dirt while figures to track the outside speed then hopes to outfinish the late runners.

Post Pattern

Makes his 1st dirt start in race 19 of career; his field-best Beyer was August, 2012, on SAR grass at a slightly longer than this; the 2-back show runner Beyered 69 in a next-out AQU-MSW win; middle moved in latest; hopes to stalk the outside speed then get 1st run on the closers; wish we were more impressed by the dirt workouts for this.

Onecats Chance

Gets the stamina test never racing this far during career and following a career-low Beyer; it was the 2nd time during career he has show nothing on a wet-main track; latest-poor effort coincided with front wraps being applied for the 1st time; today marks the lightest-weight assignement of his career seeking answers.

Here He Fitz

Lone-show finish was over a sloppy-race track but in 2 other races racing over less-than-fast surfaces did not fire best form; March debut occurred vs. the runner-up finisher who Beyered 74 in his next-out AQU-MSW win; the 2-back winner and show finishers posted 86-81 speed figures in next-out BEL-MSW and optional-claiming wins.

Jesses Giant Dunk

Late runner hopes for a pace meltdown hoping someone goes after My Teddy Bear from the gate; recently displayed solid form on both wet and fast racing ovals; the 2-back Beyer is a career-best speed figure; has not raced this far since the debut-turf loss but added yardage is another plus; view as a major player in deep stretch.

Chang's Secret

New trainer off a career-low Beyer racing 1st time on dirt when the beaten-betting favorite; late runner's 1st dirt start was a troubled trip when no match for the top 2 when dropped into a maiden claimer now leaps back up in class to test MSW rivals; obviously turf has been his best surface.

My Teddy Bear

Likely benefits the most from a race void of much other gate speed than Eastcoast Lights; may be able to shake free early then hopes to hold off the closers; posted a career-best Beyer at 7F so the final yards here are the biggest issue; last race on AQU Inner Dirt was a dull-7th place finish in March but off recent form seems the one to catch and beat.

Eastcoast Lights

Displayed new-found gate speed 2nd-time out while catching a field today void of much other early speed; would have to fend off My Teddy Bear from the gate then hold off the closers; the trainer's 0-for-59 dirt mark since 2012 suggests we view this one as a pace presence for part. By Art Gropper

Race 7

Bernardo

Returns to Inner Dirt for the 1st time since his March career-debut a 9th-place finish beaten 25 lengths at 5.5F in a 16K maiden claimer; since Lasix was added in August has turned into a different runner exiting a career-best Beyer speed figure when rallying strongly at 1 Mile; his last race going 8.5F was his October win defeating the runner-up who Beyered 94-88 in next-out AQU-125K stakes and optional-claiming wins; Barrister Jim helps set a quick pace to enhance his rally; figures to save every inch of ground then make one run.

Spirited Touch

Was outfinished in his only 2 races at 8.5F during career the added distance here is a concern; his only win was gate-to-wire but has Barrister Jim to fend off from the gate while in latest sat just off the speed then held on well at shorter; beat the 2-back show runner who Beyered 93 in his next-out AQU-OPC win; projects to save ground stalking the front then hopes to come up big in deep stretch for the newest trainer.

Matt and Jesse

March-Mile win over the track is a career-best Beyer; recent form is lacking going 4-0-0-0 since the sloppy-track SAR score at longer than this; gets a good pace flow to rally into today while the added distance is a plus; like Bernardo hopes to save ground then make one run.

Vee's Accolade

2 big things stand out he has never raced this far of a distance during career while the 19 minor awards with 2 wins suggest when he does fire big strongly it often produces a minor award; broke last from the gate in latest-sprint loss when defeated by the show runner who Beyered 82 in his next-out AQU-20K-claiming win.

Anaphylaxis

Same scenario as his March win racing 2nd time back off a layoff; is another runner in the field who has settled for way more minor awards (10) than wins (3) during career; late runner stays with the maiden-breaking rider who began this meet sizzling.

Shoutout

His only win was January, 2012, a 6F-AQU-Inner Dirt $12,500-maiden-claiming victory where he sat 5th; 48 days since fading going short; he figures to be a major-pace presence here with serious stamina issues; was vanned off the last time trying 8.5F which was on turf in April.

Lure of the South

Is on a 2-race dirt winning streak off 8 consecutive turf losses; 2 of his 3 wins occurred racing over today's AQU-Inner Dirt oval; has not raced this short of a distance since August while many of these are wondering if they can go this far; figures to be rallying well into a hot pace and hard to leave off the exotics tickets.

Barrister Jim

Projects as the one to catch but sprinter-stretchout Shoutout and Spirited Touch figure to be chasing this one from the gate; lone win was at 9F so no doubt he can make the lead and go all the way here; July graduation looks better since the runner-up finisher Beyered 70 in his next-out SAR-25K-maiden-claiming score.

Warrior Up

Last victory occurred over today's Inner Dirt oval but off latest loss to Bernardo is ranked a notch below the top contenders for this; has been screaming out for more distance in recent losses and gets it here; the 2-back show finisher Beyered 88 in his next-out AQU-OPC victory.

Dan and Sheila

Winless in 14 races since August, 2012, a 7F-SAR-35K claiming score; was purchased from an 0-for-30 barn; races 1st time off the claim for a trainer winning 27% with this angle since 2012; the 2-back runner-up Beyered 95-94 in his 2 next-out wins including a 100K-stakes score; lone race over the track was March, '12, an 11th-place finish in the G3 Gotham at today's distance over a less-than-fast oval. By Art Gropper

Race 8

Saichi Sweepin

Proven in this league, she has the speed needed to take advantage of the rail and miss may not have cared for the good surface in last; toss the turf race in October, not her game; miss has shown the penchant for finding the wire; respect.

Hot Rendezvous

Miss basically flattered arch rival on the extreme outside in the win in last; place horse in last cashed here 12/7 in a $14K optional with a 69 Beyer; toss the MSW efforts and the form brightens; bug hired for this; look for her late if at all.

La Bella Valeria

Crushed in the only try on the inner; miss has some semblance of speed but can't see her clearing here; hung wide in last pair and she has been beaten by a number of today s foes; hard to adore today.

Uncle Southern

Life and death for both wins and crushed in the dirt efforts; she has been given time since the taxing win last time; Desert Bliss exited the last race to take an N1X at Belmont and the 7th finisher took a $6500 N2L claimer at Laurel; note this rider was up for the maiden breaker; respect.

Jitney

She got away with moderate splits in the try on this surface and still tired at crunch time; only a brief threat in the stakes in last, and Ortiz got a chance to figure her out; needs a turn around.

Bird House

Half of her wins came on this surface; she doesn't have to be second to last early on this time; she has fired in every race since getting off the grass; must at least be left in the exotic conversation.

Pennymine

Runner did everything but get unsaddled in last; place horse in the last win cashed next out in a $14K optional, then was a pop and stop 5th at this level. By Brian Mulligan

Race 9

Camie's Dancer

Poor efforts in the first pair during the spring; her sire won a G3 and 321K while the dam never raced and this is her sole foal to compete; workout pattern has shown minor progression but she remains a tough take.

No Trespassers

Newcomer hails from multiple G1 victor Utopia who amassed 4.91 million and whose offspring have won 6 of 117 debuts; the dam was without a tally in 11 attempts; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate.

Rice and Beans

Sheds the shades after flashing some early speed in her June getaway race over the lawn; sole start over the inner dirt was an ineffective, wide performance; her most recent workouts do not inspire.

Tropical Trouble

See No Trespassers, above, for same sire information; the dam involved won 1 of 12 and 40K; among the winning siblings is 110K earner Tropical Jetset; decent gate breezes of late have her pointed in the right direction.

Shea Darby

A pair of sharp efforts to her credit but they were both in 2012; her sire won the Kentucky Derby and 4.38 million while the dam scored in 4 of 16 starts earning 177K; there are no winning siblings to mention.

Royal Jest

Nice workout pattern going into this main track debut; her sire won multiple G2s on the turf while banking 1.29 million; the dam never raced; among the winning siblings is 18K earner Tried Out Tux.

Prize Taker

Ran one of her best career races last month when a clear-cut second to a repeat winner; tries this common distance for only the second time but is in the hands of an expert trainer; should be in the mix with clean getaway.

Moonstone Beach

Quite a gap to third in her maiden voyage; her sire won multiple G3s and 532K while the dam was without a tally in 2 attempts; among the winning siblings is 122K earner Medford Junction; note training track breeze on 12/2.

Riveressed

Nearly stole the race in her debut way back in January but it was over this surface; her sire won a G1 and 816K while the dam won 1 of 9 and 13K; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate; puzzling possibility.

Once a Week

Beginner was sired by Invasor who won a slew of G1s and 7.8 million (his offspring have won only 2 of 48 debuts, however); the dam won 5 of 14 and 251K; winning siblings include 14K earner Magical Blend.

Countess Twice

Flashed decent prompting speed in her first run; see No Trespassers for same sire information; the dam won 10 of 24 attempts and 378K; among the winning siblings is 244K earner Won Great Classic.

Utopian Wife

Yet another offspring of Utopia to consider (see above for stats); this filly showed improved early foot in the last run over the lawn before fading badly; recent training track activity does not seem quick enough to turn things around suddenly.

Madison V.

No match for Prize Taker in the last assignment but she may be a more potent rallier at this shorter distance if receiving a more rapid early pace; has met repeat winners in the last pair and can a share today if escaping AE list. By Jim Kachulis