Aqueduct: Closer Looks for December 22, 2013

Race 1

Clawback

Been given time since the drop and the win in last; like the new wrinkle last time coming from third to cash; he brings some back class to the party, loves the inner, draws cozy slot; could get brave if he clears.

Chapman

Gelding has been consistent; he may have just been overmatched in last; 10/13 show horse has been first and 5th in $25K optional land since; had to be hard used to flee the fence in last; he s worked well for this and if you key off the October effort he fits big time; respect.

Much Stronger

Considering the cut back, runner could be left with a lot of work to do late; in good hands, like the series of drills since the last effort and Cohen has had good success for this barn; note he also won on the cut back upstate; don't sell too short.

Midnight Music

Nothing like cashing off the claim; smiles around during the holiday season; nice; runner has legit speed but doesn't need the lead to win; 8/11 place horse cashed next out in a $50K optional, lost next pair; only one off effort since the 2013 opener and that was off the layoff; the hotter the pace the better for this guy.

Scherer Magic

The is the stalk and pounce component of the Jacobsons; in the good hands of Sadler out West, it s a positive that he has taken to the inner surface; trainer can keep them going good once they get good to the tune of 25%; another threat in a good betting race.

Taxplayer

Must prove it on this circuit; beaten over 20 the last time on this circuit at Belmont; gelding does move up in the off going so keep one eye to the sky; would be careful here.

The Truth and K G

Colt has shown the ability to find the wire; that s a nice trait to bank on; hung wide in the October return, like the way he extended in last and he obviously loves this layout; place horse in last cashed next out in a $16K N2L claimer; looms an astute claim. - Brian Mulligan

Race 3

Frogman Mel

Draws the fence for his initial dirt spin while returning to this circuit off a troubled run on the Laurel lawn; fresh gelding goes for a barn that is having a nice meeting and they hit at a pretty sharp clip with runners switching surfaces; pedigree suggests he should have little trouble handling this new footing and his price figures to be right.

Maximus Decimus

Sprinter stretches out in his first crack with winners after being give some time off the front running maiden score on the main track when dropped in for a tag; rider from his last opts to go with the rail runner here, but this guy's speed should be on display in a field without a lot of early lick and he boasts a nice route pedigree; he'll have to be run down.

Afleet Accompli

Ran into a couple of pretty talented juveniles when off the board in the G2 Remsen here a few weeks back and now he's back to a level at which he ran well 2 starts back at Parx; he's been good in each of his 2 turn spins outside of stakes company, but he doesn't have any early foot and in a small field that could put him at a disadvantage tactically; consider.

Master Lightning

Found himself on the lead through tepid splits in the Remsen and just didn't have enough to go with that better field late; the drop to this level figures to agree with him and with his early foot he should be able to secure a spot just off the stretchout sprinter early; looks as if they'll have him to beat.

Louisiana Flyboy

Louisiana bred beat his own kind impressively first out this summer and took some money before offering little while making his first start for these connections in the G2 Nashua; he should find this bunch more to his liking and he did show the ability to pass runners in victory but it would be nice to see him get off to a better beginning than he has thus far. - Steve Grabowski

Race 4

Fade to Black

Try to catch me; unveiling race saw her go right to the front then finished as a clear runner-up with a field-best Beyer speed figure attached; some runners move forward 2nd-time out and she figures to be a tough customer if improves off the unveiling; gets a new rider for the 1.3F increase in distance; sire was a G1-SW at 9F; her 0-for-2 dam never raced in a dirt route; wish the workout for this sparkled more.

Saratoga Lake

Sire is 16-for-132 with 2-year-old debut runners; is out of a stakes-placed dam (1-for-15, 70K); her only win was at 9F on turf; she produced 2 winners from 2 other foals to race including 2-for-14 Zadina (88K) who won at 9F on turf; the trainer rarely connects with 1sters (1-for the last-51).

Golden Maria

2 last-place finishes/fades; broke slowly in the dirt debut then flashed brief speed in latest a slight-Beyer improvement on turf; expects to press the inside speed Fade to Black here then hopes to find the missina stamina in deep stretch.

Star Magnolia

Ran to the 48-1-debut odds fading to Fade to Black; her sire won the 10F-G1 Travers; dam was unraced; the workout for this does not inspire confidence while the new rider is 0-for-10 for the trainer since 2012; view as a pace presence for part.

Lift

300K-yearling purchase has been working steadily for this with her latest workout being her best; sire is 50-for-391 with 2-year-old debut runners; is out of an unraced dam who's only other foal to race is 6-0-1-1 Red Virgin (52K).

Rachel's Temper

Exits her lowest-turf Beyer of career; both prior dirt starts are double-digit length defeats; late runner's close is helped along here by a slew of other frontrunners signed on; cuts back in distance after being outrun; the August runner-up and show finishers Beyered 78-70 in next-out KEE-G3 stakes and BEL-MSW wins.

Cocoa

Would expect to see better gate speed out of her based on the 3F-bullet workout which followed the rallying-turf debut; snuck through the claim box 1st time out while the Inner Dirt workout for this was not very inspiring; 60 days since the debut so will be taking a wait and see approach.

Ballylee

Sire is 13-for-152 with 2-year-old debut runners; is the 1st foal out of a 2-for-9 dam (245K) and one of her wins was at 9F on dirt; posted a steady worktab for a trainer who does not often win with 1sters (3% victors since 2012).

Palestrina

The dirt debut 91 days ago was a troubled trip but a career-best Beyer when rallying well at shorter; high-percentage fresh trainer adds to the appeal as does a slew of frontrunners signed on inside of her to help the late punch; the 2-back show runner Beyered 74 in her next-out SAR-MSW victory; the one to beat.

Colonel Juanita

Sireline is all for stamina as her father was a 10F-Grade 1-SW; she stretches out beyond 6F for the 1st time; is out of an unraced dam; was screaming out for more yardage 32 days ago when racing on dirt for the 1st time and gets it here; the worktab for this was not impressive but see some upside. - Art Gropper

Race 6

Conzig

Has yet to finish in the money in her special weight attempts but has suffered through more than her share of bad racing luck; recent training track activity is moderate and she tries apprentice handling for the first time; difficult assessment.

Star Empress

Considering the long layoff, that was a respectable effort a month ago while huge odds; her sire won a G3 and 173K while the dam involved went zero for 9; among the winning siblings is 267K earner Star of Whitney.

Miss Lauren Ann

Could not gain in the last encounter when behind Star Empress; her sire won 4 of 10 and 490K while the dam lost her only attempt; this is her sole foal to make it to the starting gate; will have to upgrade significantly.

Zuma Moon

Adds blinkers after coming up empty in her maiden voyage only 15 days ago but she may not have cared for the muddy conditions; her sire won 1 of 2 and 33K: the dam won 2 of 11 and 85K; winning siblings include 406K earner Disco Indy.

The Magic Stone

She has shown better prompting speed than most of her opponents today; the trainer has too good a win percentage in all the relevant categories, especially the turf-to-dirt approach; should be a major pace presence this afternoon.

Hummingbird Hill

Although she regressed in the Beyer department last time out, she improved pace-wise and seems capable of handling this cutback in distance for Hall of Fame trainer Mott; in her only main track attempt, the filly ran into a blowout winner.

Erin's Desert

This mare makes her belated debut and hails from G3 type Well Noted who banked 447K but whose offspring are only 1 for 53 first time out; the dam lost her only venture; winning siblings include 135K earner Elise's Notebook.

Skinny Margarita

Very curious item considering she is making only her second start following the claim by a trainer who has done very well of late; the filly tries this common distance for the first time and may be able to secure an ideal stalking position; consider.

Rosemarie

Has shown fair gate speed up to now but no endurance and the blinker removal can change all that; her sire won a G3 and 456K while the dam won 1 of 12 and 13K; there are no winning sibs to mention; note superior workout of 8 days ago.

Royal Roxie

Beginner was sired by top-notch runner Medaglia d'Oro who won multiple G1s and 5.75 million (his progeny have won approximately 10 percent of their debuts); the dam won 2 of 19 and 62K; sib to 97K earner Perfect Pie; respect. - Jim Kachulis

Race 7

Crackerjack Jones

Inside with the blinks this time; runner has to prove he can in open company; winner 11/1 repeated in a $16K optional, then was 2nd in a $20K optional; runner has worked well with this race in mind but although he has speed, there are others with designs on the top; must hurry.

Jeter

Proven locally but note the rail had his number in September; he's been working fast in Maryland, won his only start on the inner but he also has to show he can win in open company on this circuit; versatility could be his best asset; can't count out.

Demon's Deputy

Runner got good for about 5 weeks early in the year; his last race was arguably his best since the last win; lack of speed puts him at a disadvantage most of the time and with that style, things have to break just right.

Lead Singer

Nice try on the cut back in last; he's trained steadily for this and the place horse in last cashed next out in a $50K optional with an assist from the stewards and then was third in a $25K optional; could envision him sitting a nice tracking trip; contention goes deep.

Sokitumi Samurai

Overcame trouble for the last win and he was fully extended in the process; apparently not much of a work horse and he has to show he can win on this surface; he faded late last time off the slow pace; another slice?

Erik the Red

Wonder if connections had this race in mind all the time?; he ran two bang-up races on the inner last winter and he did pass a few tired ones in last; and that was even after the poor start; Ortiz got a shot to figure out what's under the hood; this guy looks live.

Mewannarose

Soph has the two races to draw from now as runner comes off the career Beyer; place horse 11/8 cashed next out in an N1X at Laurel; soph has a right to have a nice career as kin to double stakes winner and near $200K earner African Rose.

Majestic Number

The is the speed half of a classically structured entry; he has shown a will to win, like the way he came away late in last and he has shown he can be placed anywhere and still fire; would expect Cohen to send hard especially since the stablemate on extreme outside needs pace to succeed; repeat well within the realm.

Mean Season

Ginger Punch Racing was named as owner in the debut; Mott has been careful with this guy and it's never simple to win long at first asking; note show horse in last was over 11 clear; drill on the 8th screams off the page; look out.

Start Jumping

The inner form last year leaves much to be desired but the last race was solid; there seems to be plenty of speed in here to help promote the late punch and runner proved he can handle the outside slot last time; sharp as a tack and very dangerous. - Brian Mulligan

Race 8

G Note

With Miss Narcissist and others she owns strong-gate speed here; 2nd-time Long can be an improvement angle; was bet like she would win latest easily and she did; after breaking 10th in the debut she shot right to the lead then widened the advantage; caught wet footing in latest which seemed to help her although wish the Beyer speed figure increased instead of decreased 2nd-time out

Miss Narcissist

Field-best Beyer posted 2 back when beating the show runner a 58 speed figure AQU-MSW next-out graduate; defeated the 3-back show finisher who Beyered 65 in her next-out BEL-MSW victory; sire only raced on turf; his lone win was at 1Mile; dam did not win past 6F and she finished a distant 6th in her only Mile test.

Underthemoonlight

She cut back in distance to win 2nd-time out but today adds 2.8F trying to pass the stamia/class test while facing winners for the 1st time also; G1-sire at 1M and 3-16th on dirt; dam went unraced; with 9 lengths to make up on Skye Saratoga from the debut loss have her ranked a notch below the top contenders.

Flipcup

Projects to rally boldly into a hot pace; makes her 1st dirt start while 2nd-time Long is often an improvement angle; the stakes loss 4 weeks ago looks better since the runner-up finisher Beyered 82 in her next-out 150K stakes win; she beat the debut runner-up who scored next out in a WO-MSW event with a 59 speed figure.

Champagne Ruby

Owns her best Beyer on a synthetic surface at 3.8F shorter than this; changed styles since switching barns and moving to dirt; has become a late runner in recent losses vs. Miss Narcissist; sire won at 10F; dam raced twice in turf routes finishing 6th both times never winning past 6F.

Skye Saratoga

Loved the wet track when graduating but stamina is a serious issue off latest loss; her G1-sire scored at 1M and 3-16th on dirt; 0-for-3 dam went 0-2 in turf routes; the worktab for this does not give you the impression a massive-improvement is on the way trying to turn the tables on Miss Narcissist with today's added yardage a major hurdle.

Daddy's Lil Saint

The winner and show finisher from last 64 days ago Beyered 70-58 in next-out AQU-150K stakes and AQU-MSW wins; sire took the 9F-Grade 1 Florida Derby; 0-for-3 dam did not race past 7F; beat the debut show finisher who Beyered 57 in her next-out BEL-MSW victory.

Mlle. Minuit

1st Lasix-dirt race was a winner roaring from off the pace which is a good sign in a race today packed with gate speed/stamina-challenged runners; wish her 1st start with winners was better but was badly outrun facing G2s while the race comes back as a career-best Beyer; class drop and owns the right-closing style for this; see some upside. - Art Gropper

Race 9

My Lucky Lieu

Since returning from vacation, she has upgraded in the last 4 starts and the Lasix introduction today can help even further; lands into a very soft field for the price tag involved and should be within range from the fence.

Pegasus Beba

New face in this crowd can be a major presence by default; her sire won multiple G2 stakes and 618K overall (progeny of Strong Contender have won 6 of 77 debuts); the dam went zero for 6; winning siblings include 199K earner Strategic Move.

Mini Muffin

Exits a slow affair but does have a bit of gate speed in her favor; gets in light with the apprentice but staying power remains questionable; cannot endorse for the top spot regardless of the soil condition at post.

Rufus Ruth

Shortens up to 6 furlongs on the dirt for the first time but her best performances have been on the turf; did not have an easy time of it in her last assignment, a race washed away; may disappoint once again at a short price.

Absolute Paradise

Rallied for a thin slice 9 days ago in the same affair as Mini Muffin but lost momentum during that running; best lifetime Beyer, by far, was earned over the grass and she may have trouble ending the drought even against this soft caliber.

Cake N Cookies

Sudden improvement was displayed when she caught a wet-fast track earlier this month; seems like she is capable of being one of the main speeds here and she will prove dangerous if getting away unchallenged.

Gold Potion

Rallied well to outfinish Cake N Cookies last time out while favored and her debut effort featured traffic woes; her sire won a G3 and 616K while the dam won 3 of 12 and 37K; among the winning siblings is 53K earner Spyglass; obvious contender.

Tassinaia

Defeated by some of these same foes in recent starts but hold the phone; she has been a very unlucky runner in those defeats and can prove to be the right value play if able to achieve clear sailing; worth some inclusion.

Selena's Charm

Used up in a pace battle in her maiden voyage, she faded from view; she draws outside of same speed rival Cake N Cookies once again; her sire won 5 of 9 starts and 676K while the dam was zero for 7; there are no winning sibs to mention.

Canela Rose

Outside of a fair showing 2 races back, there is little highlight; this month's training track pattern does not show that much improvement and she will probably suffer through a wide journey; suggest a wait and see betting approach. - Jim Kachulis