Aqueduct: Closer Looks for December 21, 2013

Race 1

Pegasus Diamond

7 straight starts on wet-main tracks her 1-for-11 record on less-than-fast ovals suggests she may want a dry surface today; December, 2012, MSW graduate at today's distance on AQU Inner Dirt; her best game is sitting just off the speed then wearing them down; posted a 3-back fade vs. the runner-up finisher who posted a 63 Beyer speed figure in her next-out AQU-optional-claiming winl; the 4-back winner made it 3 in a row in 2 next-out FL wins (84-78 Beyers).

Spritely Mambo

1st time on dirt today off the 48-day absence when showing nothing with winners; most runners move forward 2nd-time out but she regressed 22 Beyer points; cutting back in distance might help her cause but has something to prove mostly on the surface switch.

Raven Rise

Always a great sign when a runner switches trainers then produces a new Beyer-career Top which is exactly what she did in last; main concern is that she did not offer her best form in 2 other AQU Inner Dirt starts; her late run should be helped by a slew of other frontrunners signed on for this; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 69 in her next-out AQU-35K-maiden-claiming win.

Ascended Fever

Was claimed off a career-best Beyer turf win while the return to dirt was a good race chasing the runner-up finisher who Beyered 69 in a next-out AQU-OPC win; for career is 0-for-10 on dirt with 5 minor awards she often races well in defeat on the main track; beat the 3-back show runner a next-out 73 speed figure 16K-claiming winner; her only AQU Inner Dirt start was in February a distant-5th-place finish at 1 Mile on a wet-main track.

Run a Dubb Dubb

AQU-Inner Dirt graduate began career here with 4 races including the Mile-gate-to-wire MSW score in February; stamina has not been her friend in recent losses noting her last win was going short when rallying from 3rd; high-percentage AQU-jockey-trainer combo's a plus but off recent form must show more.

Nine Loves

Graduated in February over the Inner Dirt at today's distance when sitting just off the pace; reunites with the win rider from that event; has been a bit speed happy in last 3 races in front twice and dueled for the lead in last; little more patient handling may be needed; beat the October-FL show finisher who Beyered 59 taking a $12,500 claimer next out;

Gee Linz

Exits her lowest Beyer since October, 2012, on a wet-BEL main track; her 3 races since the April claim have been poor including latest fade vs.Ascended Fever and the runner-up finisher who Beyered 69 in her next-out AQU-OPC win.

Sweet Moon

Major-class test today after being claimed for a fraction of today's price tag when rallying from next to last; the victory looks better since the runner-up Beyered 63 in her next-out FL-$4,500 claiming event; she beat the runner-up 2-back who Beyered 54 in a next-out FL win.

Eyes of Midas

Stakes-placed in her only other start on today's surface chasing the winner who repeated in an AQU-OPC with a 61 Beyer; dueled for the front in last and with blinkers added today for the 1st time little doubt what her strategy is for this; reunites with the win rider where she sat off the pace to graduate more than 1 year ago. - Art Gropper

Race 2

Mineral Water

Deceptive first run when rallying strong after breaking from a killer post; his sire won a G1 and 1.13 million while the dam was without a victory in 5 attempts; there are no winning siblings to mention; consider.

Kick'n Butt

Beaten chalk did not have a straight and true break in his debut; his sire won a G2 and 662K while the dam won 1 of 18 and 40K; there are no winning siblings to highlight; picks up Ortiz who is riding in top form.

Speed Read

Speed indeed but endurance is the question mark; alert breaker faces a host of untested runners here but the most recent half-mile breeze could be the tip-off; can lead them on a merry chase but must avoid drifting in the final stages.

The Rhythmisright

Some quick a.m. drills for this son of Into Mischief, a G1 winner who banked 597K (his progeny are 6 for 48 as far as winning their initial start); the dam was unraced and this is her sole foal to make it to the races.

Latigo Trail

His sire won 1 of 12 starts and 44K; offspring of Freud have won their first test at a rate of 11 percent; the dam won 5 of 23 and 68K; among the winning sibs is 35K earner Mr. Lit; steady breeze pattern on view.

Kaepernick

The trainer does well with firsters, especially at a price; the colt's sire won the Derby and 3.61 million; descendants of Big Brown have won 12 out of 79 debuts; the dam involved won 2 of 8 and 104K; sib to 445K earner Starship Truffles.

Police Camp

Progeny of Utopia, a multiple G1 victor who notched 4.91 million, have scored in 6 out of 127 initial starts; the dam won 3 of 20 and 108K; among the winning siblings is 145K earner I'll Stake U; modest work tab on view.

Scare City

His sire is pure sprinter City Zip, a G1 winner who garnered 818K and whose progeny have won 81 out of 532 initial attempts; the dam won 2 of 15 and 24K; sib to 262K earner Motor City Mama.

Loki's Vengeance

A clear-cut second in his maiden voyage but he benefited by the soft fractions along the way; his sire won the G1 Suburban and 454K; the mom won 2 of 3 and 29K; this is her only foal to compete; latest blowout was encouraging.

Shipwrecked

Exits the same trouble-filled race as the first 2 runners in the field; his sire won 2 of 2 and 79K while the dam won 1 of 2 and 5K; among the winning siblings is 6K earner Littleville; respectable gate breeze of a week ago should help. - Jim Kachulis

Race 3

Oliver Zip

Don't think they expected this guy to run away from claimers first out at Laurel but he did just that from an outside tracking spot and now he'll give winners a try in his local debut; his drill earlier in the month suggests he remains on his toes and he did break quickly first out so he should be able to secure a good spot early from here; consider.

Sing the Dream

Statebred boasts a couple of open lengths sprint scores on his resume and enters this as the lone 2 time winner in the field; he's been idle since running into a pretty solid graded stakes winning sprinter and a couple of next out winners and the barn does boast some recent luck with fresh runners; numbers are a little light and he may not be the quickest in here, but he does draw inside his main pace foe and maybe that helps push him harder from the bell.

Otoy

Turfer tries dirt for the initial time while returning from the break in his first start for an outfit that's winless on the year; colt boasts a solid inner track drill from last weekend and he was in against stakes runners in his 2 out of the money cracks with winners; maybe he's able to grab a share if things heat up in front of him.

Pure Sensation

Just missed lasting in the Laurel stake after opening a clear midstretch lead in that first crack with winners; he returns to his home circuit for his inner track debut and does boast the best numbers in the field; concern is that he's yet to win going this far and he's sure to take plenty of tote support, but they'll probably have to come and get him to win.

Extrasexyhippzster

Didn't have enough late while trying winners for the first time in the Laurel mud, but he was trying 7 panels that day and still earned a pretty big number; broke his maiden on the engine at Parx so he is versatile enough to sit close early and maybe he'll have more to offer late at this shorter trip; main danger.

Pin and Win

Florida shipper starts from the outside slot in his first start under this outfit's care; he needed the drop to claimers to break his maiden and the speed that led to that score could put him in a wide path if his new pilot chooses to use it in here; have to side with others on the win end. - Steve Grabowski

Race 4

Patty and Nooche

2nd-time Long can be an improvement angle but not easy to overlook the Mile fade with additional yardage tacked on for this; new rider means he gets in with the lightest-weight assignment ever off the career-low Beyer speed figure.

Consistency

Ran to the 49-1 debut odds when passing a few runners but also landed behind some of these; 5 weeks away for a 1-for-27-fresh trainer since 2012 who is 0-for the last-16 with juvenile runners; some runners move forward 2nd-time out and he has plenty of room to improve for this.

Monopolize

Encountered a wide-debut trip when screaming out for more distance; he gets it here; the unveiling start represents the field's best Beyer speed figure while the 35%-winning 2nd-start trainer suggests an improvement is on the way; bred both sides for distance; lone knock is the workout for this did not inspire.

Nicholson

Not easy to take the did-not-finish running lone in the large odds-turf debut; the worktab for this does not inspire but keeps the 1ster rider for a 31%-winning 2-year-old trainer since 2012; hopes the surface switch along with a normal 2nd-time out improvement lends answers.

Great Minds

Latest-exacta finish looks better since the show finisher Beyered 79 in his next-out AQU-MSW win; high-percentage 1st-Lasix trainer who hardly ever wins with 1sters but that was the race where he posted a career-best Beyer defeating the show runner who posted an 81 speed figure in his next-out BEL-MSW win; dangerous.

Neoclassic

Exiting sprints projects to be a lot closer or race on the lead in today's paceless event; bred both sides for distance and passed a few in last when defeated by the winner who is 2-for-2 repeating in a GP-OPC with an 84 Beyer; the 2-back winner wheeled right back to win a Grade 2 stakes next-out with a 90 speed figure.

Woelf Den

Massive-wakeup call for this rider in last as he stalked the pace then went up to duel; he hung on well but the added yardage attached here does not help the confidence level; 5 weeks away for a high-percentage fresh trainer; view as a major pace presence in a field lacking much other gate speed.

Chrishi

Sire was a Belmont-Stakes winner and is 10-for-121 with 2-year-old debut starters; is out of a 7-for-16 dirt-route dam (213K) who captured her stakes victory at 1 Mile; she produced 2 winners from 3 other foals to race including SW-Hard Mystery (4-for-8 dirt routes 169K).

Howl

Was screaming out for more yardage in the 50-1 debut loss and gets it here; wish the worktab off the 5-week layoff was more impressive seeking a significant 2nd-time out improvement for a trainer not known to win with 1sters so willing to dismiss latest.

Yes I'm True

Sire went 0-for-4 in dirt routes and is 62-for-420 with 2-year-old debut starters; 2-for-16 dam (83K) who both her races in turf Miles going 0-for-3 in dirt routes with 2 of those losses in stakes races; she produced 3 winners from 4 other foals to race including SW Morrow Cove who went 3-for-8 in dirt routes (127K).

All My Memories

Owns an improving-Beyer speed figure pattern when racing evenly; removing blinkers is an 0-for-6 angle for the trainer since 2012; likely loses a lot of ground breaking outside and would have to show a better stretch kick to land a major share.

Goodnewsisnonews

Good-2nd start improvement as part of the Pletcher coupling; the barn sizzled to begin this AQU-Inner Dirt meeting; deep closer cuts back in distance off latest 20 days ago where he gradually rallied wide; another who did not impress on the worktab for this. - Art Gropper

Race 6

Ka Buki Rose

Sired by First Samurai who won multiple G1s and 915K; his progeny have won 15 out of 177 debuts; the dam won 3 of 14 and 109K; winning siblings include 92K earner Sunset Time; encouraged by the gate breeze on 12/8.

Hey Kiddo

Very tough beat when rising to an overnight stakes a month ago only to lose at the wire; she had a difficult trip 2 back as well when losing to a repeat winner; draws comfortably this afternoon but faces several unknowns.

Taris

Upbeat work tab at her Penn National headquarters makes her an intriguing item; the sire won 4 of 6 and 148K; descendants of Flatter are approximately 10 percent winners first time out; the dam won 1 of 8 and 31K; sib to 37K earner Certain Swagger.

D' Kennesaw Cat

Respectable first run when middle moving into swift fractions; her sire won a G1 and 424K while the dam did not race; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate; would benefit by a slower early tempo.

Pink Lipgloss

Newcomer hails from D'wildcat who won a G1 stakes and 570K; his descendants have scored in 32 out of 257 initial starts; the dam won 2 of 24 appearances and 20K; among the winning sibs is 117k earner Pink Gloss.

Naughty Matilda

Latest training track breeze was an improvement; her sire won the G1 Santa Anita Derby and 616K; offspring of Indian Charlie have won 102 out of 632 debuts; the dam won 3 of 17 and 162K; this is her only foal to start.

Wraith

The sire in question is the mighty Ghostzapper who won 3.44 million including multiple G1 scores on this circuit; his offspring have been 10 percent winners first time out; the dam won 1 of 11 and 36K; this is her sole foal to make it to the races.

Flaring

After a bumpy beginning in her maiden voyage, she turned in a fair third; her sire won a G2 and 1.1 million; the dam won 2 of 16 and 50K; among the winning siblings is 28K earner Farah; makes the difficult leap to special weight level.

Alexandra's Storm

Exits an above average race where she lost significant ground; her sire won the G1 Travers and 1.77 million; the dam never raced; among the winning sibs is 279K earner Desert Key; could prove to be the right value play.

Worldly Charm

Suffered through a demanding journey in her only try; her sire won 1 of 2 and 33K: the dam won 1 of 3 and 36K: sib to 169K earner Worship the Moon; trainer excels with second-time starters but the filly draws the same tough slot once again.

Night Time Slipper

Beginner hails from Disco Rico, who won 9 of 17 attempts and 532K in total; his descendants have won 17 out of 177 debuts; the dam won 11 of 33 and 233K; this is her only foal to make it to the gate. - Jim Kachulis

Race 7

Sun Worshipper

Draws the fence for his return to dirt for the first time since his week sprint debut across town; gelding hasn't had any recent luck with winners and don't know that he'll show up with the lick to secure a decent spot early from here; siding with others on the win end.

Lord of Love

Broke his maiden over a wet Belmont main track so maybe the move back to dirt helps him; he's been stuck in this condition for a while but hasn't really been beaten much in any of his starts on the lawn this year; barn doesn't win too often, though, and this pilot is winless at the stand.

Jack's R Wild

Hasn't been close to the winner in any of his 3 starts at the level; one turn maiden breaker across town earned him a number that does fit pretty well in this spot, but he doesn't have much 2 turn dirt experience and his lack of lick could leave him with a lot to do late.

Native Singer

Wired maiden sprinters in his first start over the local main track and now he'll tackle 2 turns; dam was a turf route winner and she dropped a couple who won going long on turf and dirt so maybe he takes to the added trip; there's other speed in here so he's going to have to work hard every step but if does make the top he could prove tough to reel in.

Papa Freud

Moves back to the dirt for the first time in a while after being given some time following the near miss from the outside slot on the local sod; gelding has early foot and his pedigree suggests he deserves another shot on the footing but he's settled for a lot of minor awards.

Joe Mooch

Tired after setting the pace in each of his last 2 sprints on the local main track; gelding's lone 2 turn try here earlier in the year wasn't much and he draws outside the other lick in here; pace factor but doubt he'll be much more today if this field stays intact.

Sea to Sky

Returns from time off while moving back to the inner track over which he finished in the exacta in each of his 3 spins; maybe he's perked up by the return to this venue and he does figure to be close to the top early here; one to consider.

Reggie D

Removes the hood for the stretchout in his second off the freshening; late running sprinter hasn't done much over the inner track and doesn't have much route experience; maybe his late kick gets him involved for a share, but prefer others on the win end.

Birchwood Road

Found himself further out of it than he was in his prior couple of starts while making his first start on the local lawn; didn't do much in his lone start on the dirt, but he's a much better runner now than he was then so given his pedigree maybe he deserves another shot over the surface.

Fortitude

Starts from the tough outside slot in his return from Finger Lakes where he didn't have much impact sprinting; he did do some of his better running here earlier in the year and does own 4 inner track scores so maybe the stretch back out helps, but it won't be easy from out here.

Petrocelli

AE moves back to dirt after a big effort at a long price over the local lawn; he ran ok in his prior dirt starts and did win at the trip in Jersey this past summer; tough starting slot if he gets in, but he can get involved here.

Hidden Vow

AE hasn't been on dirt since tanking over the inner last winter; his subsequent turf routes at the level were solid except for his last which was hampered by a wide run from an outside draw; don't know that he's going to love the footing, but he did show some ability this summer. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Battier

Colt was getting a little late when third in last sprint try; Pletcher may be trying to get him focused on the cut back with the blinks today; there does seem to be a decent amount of speed in here and this guy has won short; look for Ortiz to take a hold, try to save ground, hope a duel develops and then make the one run.

Frazil

Rice is surrounding this race with half the field; this guy won this event back in 2011; he has a penchant for finding the wire, thrives on the inner but note the lone win this year came with the nod of the stewards; things will have to break just right.

Broad Rule

Pro was losing a little ground late in the other inner strip effort; proven in the over $100K stakes this year but he was 16-1 that day; apparently not much of a work horse; needs very best.

Strapping Groom

Jacobson looking for that deja vu feeling as his trainee Saginaw won this race last year; that runner was cutting back after a stakes win and he posted a clever 101 Beyer; this guy moves up in the off going; keep one eye to the sky; key off the Forego victory and he must be accorded a legit chance at glory; best of 16 bullet in the holster; must find a way to turn the tables on the rival on the extreme outside.

Abra

This gelding looms the speed component of the Rice trio; he has :44 and change speed and if it's utilized against the Jacobson charge, it could soften that runner up for Palace; bothered and hung wide in last; note this runner and Palace were the exacta players in July; interesting.

Palace

Only serious runners are in the money in 12 of 14; after getting off the turf, the light went on for this colt; he won outside of Empire land in last and he did it in solid manner; place horse in the Hudson cashed next out in a $62.5K optional with a 96 Beyer; proven on the inner, he brings a nice stalk and pounce attitude to the party; 4-peat well within the realm. - Brian Mulligan