Aqueduct: Closer Looks for December 26, 2013

Race 1

Distorted Dream

After 3 days of inactivity, the track resumes today and may play very kindly to inside speed; that gives this gelding a chance to finally atone after a series of misadventures at shorts odds; blinkers go back on, expert trainer and rider; the selection.

Team Lazarus

Not sure if he can outbreak the inside runner but will prove a tough customer if able to accomplish that task; unlike some of his rivals today, however, he has no experience over the inner dirt and that seems a major disadvantage; difficult call overall.

Candy At My Place

Has some decent gate speed but has shown little staying power up to now; even with the weight concession, it seems unlikely he can grab the early advantage unless there are some key late scratches; cannot endorse for the top spot.

Coronate

Exacta recommendation for this turnback runner who set very strong fractions only 8 days ago; only sprint effort was a sharp rally against a repeat winner; the record for this trainer/jockey combination is solid and the colt should be within range from the opening bell.

Eight Cents

Newcomer from top-notch connections will get plenty of support and deservedly so; the gelding's sire won multiple G2 stakes and 751K (offspring of Even the Score are 10 percent winners first time out); the dam was zero for 4; winning sibs include 28K earner Academic Probation.

Oghma

Tries the main oval for the first time with a Lasix introduction; latest training track breeze was average and it is doubtful that he can make a switch to this surface a winning one considering all the gate speed on view; a square price for sure.

Solly's Mischief

Ran into a very quick group in his maiden voyage back in October before tiring in his first grass test; his sire won a G1 and 597K while the dam won 5 of 24 and 155K (4 of those wins were in routes); sib to 217K earner Format V.-Jim Kachulis

Race 2

Sun Bear

Shipper draws the fence for his first start off the claim by an outfit that hits at a big clip with this type; he hasn's won in a long time and don't know that he'll be able to offer much early at this sprint trip; expect the new face will be running on late but he could be left with a lot to do; consider.

Saint Arthur

Statebred brings speed to the table while dropped in for a conditioned tag in his initial spin over the inner track; he worked a solid half mile over a wet track earlier in the month so he'd probably appreciate similar conditions in this spot and he does draw inside his main pace foe; looks as if they'll have to run him down to win.

Verbosity

He's been idle for more than 8 months since taking a big step back against fellow statebreds over the inner track; gelding ran some big ones over the surface earlier in the year and his last score came fresh at this level with a number that would likely win this; contender.

Bos'n Alwyne

Ships back into this circuit for his first start in 11 months while debuting for this outfit; barn does boast some recent luck with its new acquisitions, but this guy hasn't run fast enough to step with these; looms a big price in his return to the races.

Wee Freudian

He's another New York bred but he's competed against open conditioned runners in his last couple of starts and his last was improved; gelding hasn't won in quite a while, but he is a career .500 hitter over the inner so maybe the move back to this strip will get him back to the level of his efforts around this time last year while switching to a pilot who has been on fire of late.

Take Down Two

Eight year old steps up in price for his first start off the claim for an outfit that's winless at the stand; his last score did come at the level, but that was back in June and he's clearly been a different runner since; have to side with others on the win end.

Notmyfirstime

Addition of shades brought some early lick out in this statebred while returning from the break over a dull main track for a tag; outside draw should put him in a solid tracking spot early and help him gain first run on his main rivals; they'll have him to beat.-Steve Grabowski

Race 3

Jake N Elwood

On the lead in last which was the gameplan for his July-SAR victory; if repeats last would on the engine here playing catch me if you can; the main concern is he's defeated just 1 runner combined in 2 races since being away from the Mott barn; the 3-back winner repeated in a TDN-100K event with a 77 Beyer speed figure; view as a pace presence for part.

Candyman E

A repeat of latest when sitting just off the speed then grinding out the victory would make him a tough customer here; latest looks better because it was just his 2nd race over the track and may be able to improve today 2nd time back off a 48-day absence; the 4-back winner repeated in SAR-Grade 1 with a 104 Beyer; the one to beat.

Royal Currier

Brief speed in latest while a wet-main track has not been his best surface during career (0-for-5); field-best Beyer was posted in his 2011 PRX-250K stakes gate-to-wire win at 6F; finished 5th in an Inner Dirt 2012-G3 event at 6F which represents his best Beyer over the track; figures to press the pace with Jake N Elwood then needs to find the missing stamina to land a share.

Moments Notiz

Just one bad race since February with 9 of his last 10 starts all winning efforts; rallied from off the pace in latest-exacta finish while the 1st start for this barn was a career-best Beyer on a fast-main track; has plenty of gate speed signed on inside him to help the late punch; contender.

Saturday's Charm

Grade 3-placed over the track the last time racing on the Inner Dirt in March; is the late runner in a field packed with gate speed; gets the much-needed class relief exiting 3 stakes and 2 graded; forgive latest on wet footing all 3 wins on a fast track; his runner-up finish 3-back looks better since the winner repeated with a 97 Beyer capturing a CT-50K event while he beat the show runner posted a 93 Beyer winner taking a LRL-100K stakes next out; the pick.-Art Gropper

Race 4

Bi Light of Day

Should work out an ideal trip saving every inch of ground then rallying behind some-suspect speedsters; her only dirt start is a career-low Beyer speed figure while the 40-day absence comes with a trainer 1-for the last-50 with runners off similar freshenings; if ready fits well here.

Princessbellaoncal

Projects to race on or near the lead with Outer Orbit; exits her lowest Beyer since November, 2012; adds distance off latest fade while her lone exacta and best speed figure occurred in a turf sprint; know her early but unsure about late.

Live Life Fast

Adds blinkers for the longest-distance test of her career; the 1st dirt start represents a career-low speed figure chasing the winner who repeated in an AQU-OPC with a 68 Beyer; the 2-back winner repeated with a 75 Beyer in an AQU-alw.; she has not been able to fire back to her career-debut co-field-best Beyer when racing much shorter on turf beating the show runner who Beyered 63 in her next-out BEL-MSW win.

Outer Orbit

Projects to race on or near the lead with Princessbellaoncal after offering brief speed in the sprint debut vs. the winner and runner-up they Beyered 68-65 in next-out AQU-SW-OPC wins; gets a weight break in hopes of carrying her speed better 2nd-time out.

Uman Candy

Since the October-exacta finish and co-field-best Beyer on turf in October she has disappointed greatly twice; today is the 1st dirt start off a 40-day absence with a steady worktab for this; the 1-for-20-fresh trainer since 2012 does not add to the appeal for the dirt debut.

East Coast Express

After 5 straight defeats vs. maiden claimers she leaps back up in class to test MSW rivals; lacked the finishing punch when racing on the dirt for the time but is capable of producing a better effort today 2nd time back off the 55-day absence; the 2-back runner-up Beyered 40 in her next-out AQU-25K-maiden-claiming graduation.

Sky Lassie

This event with a lot of gate speed breaking inside of her sets up well for a closer and she fits the part off latest-favored loss a race she needed off the 55-day absence; while many of these are turf runners trying dirt she has been at her best on the main track with a field-best dirt Beyer in July at BEL; the 3-back winner repeated in BEL-OPC with a 62 Beyer; leaps back up to test MSW company which is the lone knock against the pick.

Madison V.

1st time racing past 7F; has been outfinished in some of her losses the added yardage is a concern here; sire's stakes win was a sprint and did not win past 1 Mile going 0-for-6 in dirt routes but was Grade 1-placed; dam was unraced but her sire took the 10F Pacific Classic on dirt.-Art Gropper

Race 6

War Hero

By now, it should be clear whether or not inside speed has dominated the card; this gelding's sire won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and 1.58 million (progeny of War Pass have won 7 of 51 debuts); the dam went zero for 5; only sib is 68K earner Miss Corinthian.

Flashy Ross

Has earned a few minor checks but his best performances have been in routes; makes the difficult ascent from modest claimers and can only land a share via a dream inside trip; switches to apprentice handling for the first time.

Surfspun

Although off the board in his main track debut, he did flash some improved early speed in that outing; more importantly, the work tab during this month is way above average and perhaps he can show more staying power as a result; worth some follow-up.

Street Prince

Wheels back quickly after giving futile chase to a wire-to-wire winner going long; might have been compromised by rail position in the previous 2 efforts and looks like a value exacta play here if receiving the right set-up.

Cost Affective

He exits a rapid race last month but that was over the main oval; did suffer through a very wide journey in that showing and perhaps can work out a better path today; training track regimen of late is ordinary, however; hard to decipher.

Master Jordan

Turned in a surprisingly good effort in his latest run when going back to the claiming ranks; seems probable that he will have to overcome a much swifter early pace though and that may limit his chances; thin slice possible.

Got the Moves

Tangled beginning last month for this gelding; his sire won multiple G3s and 964K while the dam went 9 for 67 earning 170K; this is her only foal to compete; recent breezes show some enthusiasm but there is still much work to do.

Frame

Lost all chance when failing to negotiate the turns of the Saratoga turf course but the race itself turned out to be key; his sire won the Derby and 4.38 million while the dam was unraced; sib to 101K earner Caribbean Pegasus; may need one.-Jim Kachulis

Race 7

My Donna Jean

Pushed wide in last, mare has much more speed than she just flashed; note she went :21 and change on the grass in April; winner two back repeated in a $12.5K claimer; she has run okay on this strip without cashing and at least she has a recent drill on the inner; one for 23 is the negative.

Broadway Music Gal

Hung wide in half of her races; she proved she could take the heat of a speed duel in the debut but has not been close to the top since; more experienced pilot takes the reins for this; must hurry.

Voodoo Tales

Note both wins came on the turf to dirt maneuver; considering the winner was clear in last, the race was not all that bad; trainer has spotted them just fine with limited starters; legit player today.

Pinot Grigio

Must prove she can win on this circuit; all the victories have come in Oceanport; runner needs help on the front end but there is speed on both sides of her; trainer has cut back on the starters this year and it has been effective; look for this gal late if at all.

Chippette

It took awhile for the light to go on but once she got the confidence builder on the drop in September, miss took out; 10/12 show horse cashed next out in a $16K N3L fray, lost next pair; in good hands, she has the old Florida to New York angle going for her; look out.

Rettalfa

Nice bit of training to have her primed off the layoff; she hesitated at the break and it was kind of a blessing in disguise; beaten double digits when losing ground in the other inner effort and it s never simple to beat winners right back.

Insolvent

Style no secret; she is best when sent along and she gets brave at times with a clear lead; miss handles any kind of going so keep one eye on the sky; must find a way to turn the tables on Voodoo among others.

Make Me a Prophet

Fully extended for the lone win but the runners in the company line were clear; for a Pletcher, miss was cold on the tote in the return and she didn't look like a happy runner when dropping Ortiz; could see her sitting a nice stalk and pounce journey; needs a rebound effort.

Mama Zee

Agile enough to overcome the trouble in the graduation party, miss caught the mud and may have just disliked the Belmont surface; like the way she was extending in last and note the runners in the company line were clear; repeat could very well be in the cards.-Brian Mulligan

Race 8

Run to Mama

Must prove it on the dirt; she did close into the slow pace in last; miss also got a feel of what it s like to go long; at least she kept her legs moving in the drill on the 19th; she fits in the Beyer department; must be left in the hopper.

Familyofroses

Toss the grass races and the form shines; game two back and despite the tough cut back spot last time, she ran her eyeballs out in defeat; show horse in last won next out in a $35K optional with an 84 Beyer here last Thursday; major player.

Simplistic

Like fact she broke her maiden on this surface; wide in first effort vs. winners, she has proven she can handle the off going and at least she drilled decently last Friday; look for rider to be aggressive, put her into the race from the sound of the bell and go from there.

Kelli Got Frosty

Soph has been on the stakes diet for most of her career; stakes placed twice on the surface, she is off the rail here and has much more speed than she has flashed of late; show horse in last took a $35K optional here last Thursday with an 84 Beyer; miss has the two races to draw from now; can't fault those that project a peak performance.

Victoryat Last

Proven locally here twice, miss has shown a penchant for finding the wire and Franco got a chance to figure her out; she may have disliked the rail two back and could envision a trip where she will sit 3 or so off a legit pace primed to pounce; respect.

Great Gracie Dane

Wonder if connections had this race in mind all the time?; miss has shown she likes this layout and she was caught wide in the return; the last time in this league, this miss freaked under hand urging; all systems go.

Miss Da Point

Look for her to show more speed on the stretch out; there is also a precedent for her to run huge today; in her 2012 finale, this miss was coming off a sprint when entered at this very distance in a stakes and all she did was take them flagfall to that s all to win by over 4 lengths; interesting.

Shesabronxbomber

Back at claimed level today; last win came in this league last year but she has not been able to close the deal since; in tough on the cut back in last when troubled and apparently she is not much of a work horse; could easily be enticed into gimmick action.

Ah Gaga

She got good for about a month early in the year; first time at this trip and her ability to route could be iffy; lone sibling to race was just one for 20, a turf sprint victory; wide in 2 of her last 3; would think long and hard before taking too short a number here.-Brian Mulligan