Aqueduct: Closer Looks for December 28, 2013

Race 1

William Thomas

Is always on or near the lead but catches a field top heavy with gate speed; gamely lost at shorter than today's event in last; the 3-back show finisher posted an 80 Beyer speed figure in his next-out FL allowance win; his last race anywhere but FL is a win scoring April, 2010, on AQU Main in a 15K claimer at today's distance; his last race on Inner Dirt was the 3rd lowest Beyer of his career.

Sonnyandpally

Exits his lowest Beyer since August which coincides with his 1st-race ever on AQU Inner Dirt where outfinished and represents his best speed figure on dirt; was unable to sustain his closing bid vs. open-company claimers and now gets back in vs. NY breds.

Ground Force

Not a great sign that his 2nd race off the claim represents his lowest Beyer since February; the race was over a wet-main track which has not been his favorite surface so deserves a chance to make amends on a fast oval; has 2 wins over today's surface but his last 2 races here were far off his best form; best game is racing or or near the lead in a field loaded with other-early zip; new rider wins 36% for the trainer at AQU since 2012.

Won Great Classic

Long layoff noting his last 2 races following 45-day or longer absences have been far off his best form; 0-for-4 since the claim and has shown nothing since his 1st race off the purchase; the 2-back runner-up and show finishers Beyered 85-83 in next-out BEL-optional-claiming wins; the 3-back winner repeated in an AQU-OPC with an 81 speed figure.

Southbeachsandy

2 dull races off the claim and showed nothing in his return race last out posting his lowest Beyer since August, 2011; September, '11, was his last win gate-to-wire in a SAR-7F allowance; the 2-back winner snd runner-up Beyered 91-85 in next-out AQU-optional-claiming wins; the 3-back runner-up and show finishers Beyered 79-72 in next-out AQU-OPC and FL-starter alw. wins.

Be Bullish

Reunites with rider Cohen 5-0-2-2 piloting this one during career; his last start over the track was a loss in a graded-stakes event; was claimed back after posting his 2nd lowest-2013 speed figure; his latest co-field-best Beyer was June, 2011, on a sloppy BEL main track scoring at 6F; is doing the rain dance for this.

Exley

Great sign that his 1st race off the claim represents a career-best Beyer catching a muddy oval and wet footing is his best game (7-for-15) while 4-for-32 on everything else; adds more gate speed in a field top heavy with pace; the 2-back winner and runner-up Beyered 87-82 in next-out FL alw. wins.

Half Nelson

Should get a good pace flow to rally into for this; both starts over the track have been rock-solid efforts; toss his SAR-fresh loss August, 2012, and the form is rock solid; beat the 2-back show runner who Beyered 76 in his next-out AQU-OPC win.

Ed's Magic

Adds more gate speed here for the class test facing winners for the 1st time; was purchased off a career-best Beyer when defeatsing the show runner who posted a 69 speed figure in his next-out AQU-35K-maiden-claiming win; the 3-back runner-up graduated next out with a 74 Beyer.

Sunrise Lover

27th race was the charm as the wet track likely aided in the graduation score; was no mtach for Ed's Magic in 2013 while his last race on AQU Inner Dirt was a February 4th-place finish in a MSW event; sheds 10 pounds for this; projects to stalk the outside speed.

Adjournment

0-for-5 record since the September claim; his only race on AQU-Inner Dirt was March, 2012, when finishing 8th in an alw. event; 0-for-9 career on dirt; he last won 12 races ago in May taking a PID-synthetic surface $7,500 claimer; would be a shocker.

Greeley Pack

Lone win on grass while the dull effort over the track at long odds when easily defeated by Half Nelson leaves him ranked an outsider for this; late runner seemingly gets helped along by a hot pace projected inside of him but did not offer any type of that late punch in his race over the track 2 weeks ago. - Art Gropper

Race 2

Colleen's Angel

Showed decent fighting speed in her debut but the final time of that event was on the slow side; her sire won 4 of 18 and 191K; the dam went 1 for 22 earning 15K; winning siblings include 184K earner Clean Jean.

Keep in Mind

Considering the horrid trip, she showed vast improvement in her inner track debut recently; draws much more favorably now and lands into a soft line-up; may be able to handle this escalation and surprise; playable.

Dixie My Way

Tired in her first route attempt after getting into a duel for the first half-mile; blinker addition seemed to help somewhat and perhaps that can enable her to be a force on this turnback in distance; very tough call.

Pari Nath

Nothing to write home about thus far and the latest workout over the course suggests that a sudden reversal is definitely not in the cards; cannot endorse regardless of the soil condition at post.

Warning Trackpower

Sired by the undefeated Candy Ride, who won multiple G1s and 749K (his offspring have won 51 out of 390 debuts); the dam went 2 for 20 earning 84K; among the winning siblings is 181K earner Powhatan County.

Francesca's Fancy

Although off the board each time, she faced much better stock in Philly; could not have found a much easier line-up for the price tag involved and she seems well-spotted against the locals; should be in the early mix at the least.

Fashionation

Fair work tab for this daughter of City Zip, winner of the G1 Hopeful and 818K (his progeny have scored in 82 out of 534 initial appearances); the dam went 3 for 8 earning 102K; among the winning sibs is 162K earner All in With Aces.

Camden Jane

Finished far back in the same race as Dixie My Way but was compromised by an extra-wide journey; she turned in a huge workout recently over the training track and that means, especially against this caliber, she can be a striking presence. - Jim Kachulis

Race 3

Forest Jingles

Back to square one on the cut back off the layoff; runner was beaten over 13 in the last return try; three runners exited the Pimlico finale to win next out and miss was nearly 3 clear that day; proven on the inner, but routing; look for him in the late stages if at all.

Uncle Smokey

Runner has a decent turn of late foot; 0 for 10 at this trip but the feeling is he can get the distance as he had the lead at the top of the lane in the November score; proven on the inner, runner comes back pretty quickly; should be right there when the smoke clears.

Chasing Moonlight

Only one for 18 at the distance; that has to be addressed; decent effort last time but although he was nearly 3 clear, he lost ground when it counted; hungry bug should be more comfortable with him now; only the one win since leaving the Jacobson factory.

Poliziano

Gelding got a feel of the surface last time but this is a better distance for him; 11/28 winner repeated and than was 2nd in $12.5K land; Castro got a chance to figure out what's under the hood; needs a rebound run.

The Big Deluxe

Versatility could be his best asset; he can win close up, on the lead or from mid-pack; the freshening has done him a world of good and a threepeat is well within the scope; respect.

Hebert Hall

Gelding has more speed than he just flashed; runner goes from one good barn to another and the drill 8 days ago was not all that bad; one angle players could hone in on is the fact he won in the last second off the layoff run. - Brian Mulligan

Race 4

Keep Right

Game in defeat first time out on the main oval when battling all the way; her sire won multiple G1s and 5.15 million; the dam went 2 for 7 earning 93K; among the winning siblings is 36K earner Current Aquasition.

Nowurcookinwithgas

Showed a bit more prompting speed in her second attempt; her sire won multiple G1s and 2.28 million; the dam involved was unraced and this is her only foal to make it to the races; latest training track workout showed improvement; consider.

Noon Time Shower

Rail slot may have bothered her in her last assignment where she made the lead; needs to get away with a much slower tempo now and perhaps can earn a better share if accomplishing that goal; difficult runner to decipher.

Storied Lady

Took a while to get into gear in her first run; her sire won 5 of 8 starts including multiple G2s while banking 450K; the dam won 1 of 8 attempts and 45K; winning siblings include 265K earner Love Abroad.

Happy Recap

From the top trainer at the meet, this newcomer must be respected; the filly's sire won multiple G1s and 3.61 million; progeny of Big Brown have won 12 out of 82 initial starts; the dam won 2 of 6 and 49K; sib to 443K earner Meese Rocks.

Mia Missile

A clear-cut second in her first run but the middle fractions were soft; her sire won a G1 and 2.19 million; the dam lost her only race and this is her sole foal to compete; may be destined to get into another tiring duel situation.

Heavenly Girl

Beginner was sired by G2 type Star Dabble who captured 319K (his descendants have won 6 of 59 initial races); the dam did not race; among the winning siblings is 66K earner Platinum Case; decent breeze pattern on view.

Longride to Wisdom

Cut the corner in the latest showing and may have difficult achieving a similar trip today considering the post; switches to top journeyman rider and perhaps will improve further over a bone-dry track; the betting value should be there.

La Dama de Hierro

Only one blemish on the record and the race involved a slow break; her sire won 2 of 8 and 249K; the dam won 2 of 14 and 72K; winning siblings include 130K earner Ornellia; can awaken at a price with scheduled Lasix addition.

Molly the Freud

Her sire won 1 of 12 starts and 44K; progeny of Freud have scored in 39 out of 347 debuts; the dam was unraced; winning siblings include 50K bankroller Irish Humor; note major upgrade to the latest training track breeze.

Barrier to Entry

Raced evenly outside of some of these same rivals earlier this month; her sire, a G1 pure sprinter, won 818K while the dam scored in 1 of 4 appearances earning 62K; sib to 103K earner Winter Lady; can upgrade with an alert getaway. - Jim Kachulis

Race 6

It's Easy

Took all the money while sprinting first time out and offered some solid late interest from a wide spot in that heat; filly will move to the fence for the stretchout and the Pletcher back excels with runners who have had a race; each of her lone winning sib's 3 scores came sprinting, but her sire was a G1 SP, G2 SW router so the added ground should prove to be within her scope; one to beat.

Shades of Indygo

Tries 2 turns for the first time after the improved effort at 41-1 in her second career start at Belmont; dam was a limited route winner and she dropped both a 2 time route winner and SP sprinter and 178K earner Lenders Way so it wouldn't be a surprise to see this gal offer more today.

Fee and Sugar

Filly has been ok in her recent one turn route tries and now she'll stretchout a bit while trying a new configuration; she doesn't have much early foot and there doesn't look to be a lot of that commodity in here which won't help, but maybe she arrives on the scene late for a share.

Jcs American Dream

Showed some improved lick second time out, but she again had little to offer late while finishing behind foes she'll catch again in here; dam won going long and did drop a multiple route winner, but the barn has had a rough year and this gal certainly has some improving to do to step with some of these.

Zafiro Azul

Adds shades after coming up empty off the inside run in her first crack on dirt; low percentage barn hasn't had any recent luck with its runners off the equipment change but the dam was a limited route winner so maybe she'll have some more to offer on the stretchout to 2 turns today; price will be solid.

On a Snowy Evening

She ran ok despite wide runs in each of her flat mile spins on the local main track; like the fact she's able to get involved from the outset as there's not a lot of early foot in here and maybe she's now set in her third start back from the freshening; consider.

Willow U

Wasn't beaten much in her turf debut here last month, bouncing back from a poor effort first time on this circuit; filly ran well for second money in her Florida route unveiling early in the fall and holds an advantage as the only one in here with 2 turn dirt experience under her belt; worth a good look.

Fire Ship

Showed little after chasing the pace early in her debut across town a couple of months back; 2 of the dam's 3 wins came routing and she dropped 2 route winners so the new configuration could help move her up; price should be right for those willing to forgive the unveiling.

Under Scrutiny

Fresh filly offered little in her lone dirt spin and none of her 3 sod spins was much, either; barn hasn't had any recent luck off this type of break and now they'll give this gal another new pilot; she is kin to a couple of route winners, but she's got a lot to prove off what she's shown thus far.

Flying K C

She's one of the few in here who have shown any early lick and that's a big edge, but she's stuck out in this wide slot after breaking from the fence in each of her last 2 starts; rough break did her in last time so she'll need to get off to an alert start here, but that 2 turn try on the local lawn was very good and if she is able to clear she could prove tough in the lane; one to run down.

Lady Luciano

AE steps back up to the MSW ranks after offering improved stamina when shades were added in her initial inner track spin; filly will start from a tough draw if she gets to go but she is kin to a 2 time route winner so maybe the added trip helps move her up; one to consider if she meets the starter.

Maybry's Fortune

AE is another making her way back to MSWs for her second crack in shades; she was no match for the gal drawn to her immediate inside in here and she is kin to a couple of route winners including 1.2 million earner Musket Man who was a G1 SP, G2 SW router. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Tenango

Made a nice run to get second money going a bit longer when back in against older on the local main track; gelding ran big over the inner here last season and he catches a field that doesn't contain much lick so with an alert beginning he may be able to secure a good spot from bell; settles for plenty of minor awards, but looms the one to hold off late.

Private Tale

Fresh gelding makes his first start for the Pletcher barn while being offered for the optional tag in his return to the inner track over which he ran well around this time last year; he kept some solid company earlier in the year but did noticeably tail off from a figure standpoint this summer; he dd earn a career best number while fresh at Belmont in the spring.

Isthmus

Five year old was a solid shipper last year, but he hasn't been a serious threat in any of his 3 spins since returning from better than a year on the shelf a few months back; maybe he's starting to round into form and there's no big drop here which is another positive, but he's going to have to prove he still has some run in him before we can endorse him; have to side with others on the win end.

Sensational Slam

Steps up seeking his third straight score after again getting his neck down to score, this time over the local main track; he returns to his beloved inner strip over which he's a career .500 hitter but don't know that the pace is going to flatter his running style and the barn hasn't had a lot of recent luck second back from the break.

Haverhill

Gelding jumps up with a big one from time to time and now he'll tackle a better bunch in his first spin over the inner; barn does an excellent job off this type of freshening and this guy did show some speed out of town earlier in the year; worth a look at a decent price for a sharp outfit.

Hannibal Lecter

He's in for the optional tag today after grabbing third money on the main track at the level; gelding goes for a barn that's been blanked here and this guy didn't have much to offer late in either of his inner track starts last season; gets a weight break with the bug named but his new pilot has yet to set himself apart here; maybe last week's sharp morning move has drilled some lick into him.

Malachite

Lightly raced gelding held on to beat 4 foes home in his first start in 8 months and the runner up in that heat returned to score and then finish third at this level with Beyers of 88 and 89, respectively; time off since that one should lessen the chance of a regression and though the move outside may dull his early foot some, there's not a lot of that commodity in here so he should still be able to find a spot close to the top early on the rise to this level.

Ravalo

Nine year old makes his first start off the claim for a barn that fires with this type right back; he didn't have much to offer at all on the main track last time, but he was stuck in a pretty wide spot and now he'll get a weight break with the capable bug named; age could well be catching up with this guy, but he's bounced back off poor efforts in the past and must be considered.

Don Tito

Outside draw 6 year old didn't have enough to threaten the top 2 after sitting a good trip on the class rise last out at Belmont; enters this fresh and maybe the time off helps, but he didn't have much to say behind a couple of these a few starts back and though he owns some competitive back numbers, looks to have his work cut out for him today. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Awesome Vision

Beat the runner-up, 4th-8th and 9th-place finishers from last they posted 94-93-81-75 Beyer speed figures in next-out AQU-optional-claiming and FL-allowance wins; last race over the track was his March victory making it 3 in a row on the Inner Dirt; hopes someone battles Comandante early to help his late kick; saves ground then makes one huge-late run.

West Hills Giant

Also entered Friday in a 100K stakes race for 3-year-olds at today's distance; Grade 3-placed runner over the track receives a positive 6-pound weight swing from the less than 2-length loss vs. Comandante hoping someone goes after that frontrunner here to enhance his late punch.

Bake Shop

Perfect-stalking trip to win a key race on AQU-Main; he gets tested on Inner Dirt for the 1st time ever today; defeated the 7th and 9th-place finishers from last they Beyered 86-81 in next-out AQU-optional-claiming wins; the win rider from last sides with Comandante for this.

Zetterholm

April, 2012, was the last-win picture; middle moved in latest at shorter while his 2012 races on Inner Dirt were super including the graduation and alw. wins; 0-for-3 since leaving the Dutrow barn when front wraps also came on; is ranked a notch below the top contenders.

Moneyinyour Pocket

Reunites with the 3-back win rider; expected him to be more-forwardly placed in latest fade when landing behind similar rivals while posting his lowest Beyer since July; his 2-back career-best Beyer looks better since the runner-up finisher scored a 100K-stakes win next-out with a 92 Beyer.

Comandante

Projects to race on or near the lead in a field lacking a lot of other pace; has not raced with this high of a weight assignment since January; been superb since the barn change posting consecutive Beyer speed figure Tops in recent races; graduated over today's Inner Dirt oval; he beat the 2-back runner-up finisher who Beyered 83 in his net-out AQU-OPC win; try to catch me.

Sound of Drums

55 days since a solid effort at shorter; his 0-for-9 record on AQU Inner Dirt is not easy to take while his last race over the track in December was a far-back finish fading representing a career-low Beyer; been solid since the fresening into August but his career-best speed figure was 3rd off the layoff so may need one or 2 starts off the bench to see very-best form.

Saratoga Snacks

Defending Robb champion in his only other race traveling on today's AQU-Inner Dirt oval defeating the show runner who Beyered 98 in his next-out 73K stakes win on his way to 5 in a row; back in 4 weeks after badly overmatched vs. Grade 1 company; his 2-back NY-bred stakes win looks stronger since the runner-up finisher Beyered 92 in his next-out AQU-100K SW. - Art Gropper