Aqueduct: Closer looks for December 31, 2013

Race 2

Vona

Colt flashed natural speed and he could show more with the blinks today; dam was unraced; lone half sis to race won once at 2, banked less than a grand a start in 18 outings; cut out to be a nice horse, got a feeling we have not seen the best of this one.

Father Johns Pride

Plenty of zip in the debut, maybe he was just dead short; 1 for 5 dam didn't race at 2, earned nearly $30K; this is her first to race; he s trained solidly for this and this rider has had good success for this barn; colt seems to be the speed of the speed, may forget to stop.

Read the Mirage

Was freezing on the tote and fans were right on the money; stakes placed 4 for 28 dam banked nearly $145K, was turf only; 2 of 3 siblings won, neither won at 2, top earner was just one for 15; needs a turn around.

Metro Dreamer

Zensational 3 for 38 with juvenile debuters; sire won multiple G1s, lost only start at 2; stakes winning 2 for 14 dam earned nearly $300K, won once at 2; lone half sis took one sprint as older horse; note gate move on the 21st was quicker than stablemate on same day.

Qui C'est Moi

Solid speed in the Maryland opener, colt could have sulked after being bumped early in last but he kept on coming; dam was 0 for 4; all 3 siblings won; top earner Classic Legacy took the debut at 2, was G3 placed, earned nearly $180K; race over the surface can't hurt.

American Progress

Mr. Greeley has won with about 10% of his juvenile first-timers in a 391-horse sample; sire won third start at 2, took multiple Grade 3s, earned about $475K; stakes winning 3 for 16 dam banked over $150K, won debut at 2; 2 of 3 siblings won; 2 also raced at 2 to no avail; best of 43 bullet locked and loaded.

Jimmy Soul

Fans got to cheer for over 46 seconds before reality set in; maybe he'll be more relaxed with the blinks off; G2 winning dam took debut at 2, went 2 for 12 after, earned over $100K; all 3 siblings won; one raced at 2 to no avail; top kin Truc's Love banked nearly $230K; brief threat at least. By Brian Mulligan

Race 4

Tizarocket

Appears primed and ready, based on the sharp workouts of late, to be a major contender today; she ran her best race when breaking from the fence 3 starts back and the return to this distance is another plus factor; consider.

Sun and Moon

Probably was best in her Big A debut last month; her sire won the G1 Cigar Mile and 727K while the dam went 3 for 22 earning 157K; among the winning siblings is 74K earner Malibu High; obvious true contender.

Night Time Slipper

Late foal was nowhere in her first run; her sire, a pure sprinter, won multiple G3s and 532K; the dam won 11 of 33 and 233K; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate; may improve over fast surface.

Image of Anna

Newcomer has been breezing over the course in steady fashion; her sire won a G2 and 310K in total (progeny of Ready's Image have won 5 of 41 debuts); the dam was without a victory in 32 attempts; this is her sole foal to start.

Sustainable

Failed at odds of 11 to 10 in mid-October; her sire won a G1 and 591K while the dam went zero for 9; among the winning siblings is 140K earner Culotte; note improvement to the latest half-mile breeze over the training track.

Queen to Be

Beginner was sired by 148K earner Flatter whose offspring have won 10 percent of their initial starts; the dam was zero for 3 lifetime; this is her only foal to make it to the races; will be well-backed because of the connections at the helm.

Aqua Regia

Legitimate excuses to that first defeat; her sire won a G2 and 1.43 million; the dam was unraced; among the winning siblings is 58K earner Dhu Bird; can upgrade suddenly with alert break and Lasix addition.

Caterwaul

Can rebound from that failed grass debut which featured much trouble; her sire won multiple G1s and 5.15 million; the dam won a G3 stakes and 253K; sib to 339K earner Willing Foe; trainer excels with second-time starters. By Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Tummel

Returns to the level at which he showed speed before fading to finish behind a couple of these 2 starts back on the main track; he did make a run to to leaders first time on the inner last out, but again had little left for the drive; back numbers make him a threat if he can get back to them, but off his recent efforts we'll look elsewhere for the winner.

Frazil

It's been over 2 years since this guy has seen the winner's circle and though he made a decent late run he was no match for the last out winner who returns again in this spot; maybe the weight break with the switch to the new bug helps and he does draw inside the last out winner this time.

D' Sauvage

Statebred tries a better bunch than he's used to after being hustled early but still failing to factor in the lane; he hasn't been a serious threat since moving into this barn and even when on his game he settles for a lot of minor awards; can't back him today.

Island Sunset

Steps back up for his first off the claim by a barn that excels with this type right back; he's been dull for a while, failing to as much as hit the board since the good trip Saratoga score 5 months ago; outfit does do great things first time out with these, but they look to have their work cut out for them with this gelding.

In the Beat

First part of the DeMola entry brings speed to the table on the rise in his initial start off their claim; been a while since he's seen the winner's circle and he'll try a longer trip here than he did first time over the inner strip; helps keep things honest early but don't think he'll be around at the wire.

Exley

First part of the D'Alessandro coupling makes his local return after wiring a Finger Lakes field first time off the outfit's claim; quick breaker is an inner track winner and he may prove to be the fastest of this bunch early, but he does figure to face a host of pressers and will likely by pushed from the bell; they'll have him to run down.

Quick Money

Drop to conditioned claimers resulted in a big score on the inner and now he'll return to the inner strip that he loves; barn hits at a nice clip with its runners second back from the break and this guy does figure to find a spot within striking range of the top early; consider.

Newton Crescent

Statebred returns to this circuit after taking a step forward on the drop to claimers in Florida a couple of weeks back; lone inner track spin at this time last year was pretty weak; he does shed some weight with the bug named and maybe moving off the fence will help him at what figures to be a big price.

Special Selection

Exits the statebred ranks after a weak try at a big price when turned back to sprint here last time; none of his inner track spins was much and his 2 wins came over different footing than he'll try again in this spot for an outfit that has won just one race this year.

Head Heart Hoof

Seven year old won 2 stakes over this strip last year including the G3 Toboggan, but he hasn't been the same runner since and his return to the inner earlier in the month was pretty bad; he did get caught in a wide spot in that one and he has a right to be much better with his return from better than half a year on the shelf behind him for a barn that's had a terrific stand; still, there has to be at least some concern that he's just not the same runner he was last year; contender.

Moments Notiz

He's entered to return quickly off the impressive score here Thursday by the top outfit that hits at a big clip with this type; hard hitting gelding drops back to this level and draws a terrific post from which to employ his preferred pace tracking tactics; .500 career hitter loves both the trip and the inner and looms the one to down in this spot.

Shoutout

Second half of the DeMola coupling turns back to sprint after fading at a big price in his return to the inner over which he broke his maiden; he hasn't run a recent number that puts him anywhere near these and looms another huge price.

William Thomas

Second of the D'Alessandro runners in here also ships in from Finger Lakes; AE is always forwardly placed and figures to find a spot tracking the speed if he draws in; outside trip isn't usually ideal over this strip, however, and don't know that he's good enough to go with these if they bring their best game. By Steve Grabowski

Race 6

Frost Jordan

Bold finish on a wide path in his maiden voyage last month; his sire won a G1 454K while the dam was without a tally in 8 attempts; among the winning siblings is 49K earner My Cherry Pie; must deal with tricky rail slot.

Bold Senator

His sire won 5 of 22 races and 370K; offspring of Catienus have scored in 27 out of 420 debuts; the dam won 3 of 17 and 88K; this is her sole foal to start; moderate breeze pattern is on view.

Forged

Raced evenly between rivals in his only attempt after being bet down to 2 to 1; his sire won a G2 and 662K while the mom won 7 of 15 and 107K; sib to 675K bankroller Comedero; can move forward over a dry track.

Prophet's Cat

Firster hails from multiple G1 winner Utopia who amassed 4.91 million and whose descendants have won 6 of 130 initial starts; the dam won 6 of 64 and 146K; sib to 72K earner Buddha Way.

Toohottoevenspeak

Sired by Stonesider who won his only race and 25K (his progeny are 5 for 58 as far as winning their first test); the dam won 3 of 19 and 79K; among the winning siblings is 41K earner Im a Rockstar; average a.m. moves of late.

Thrill Hill

Trained at Gulfstream extensively prior to his arrival; his sire won 3 of 4 and 92K (descendants of Exclusive Quality have won approximately 17 percent of their first races); the dam was zero for 5 lifetime; sib to 27K earner Major Dome.

American Creed

A fair showing turned in earlier this month, a useful effort considering the layoff; although the most recent training track breeze could have been much sharper, he should improve following the tightener.

Mark Twain

Excellent gate breeze the other morning suggests he is at the ready; his sire won a G3 and 354K (offspring of Noonmark have won 2 of 12 debuts); the dam was zero for 7; among the winning siblings is 104K earner Wild Grace.

Winnitude

Forgive the first venture where he was compromised at the break; see Prophet's Cat, above, for information about the same sire; the dam was unraced; winning siblings include 136K earner Northern Berkshire.

All Over Me

New face in this crowd was sired by multiple G1 victor Harlan's Holiday who captured 3.63 million and whose progeny have won 67 out of 468 initial races; the dam won 9 of 36and 174K; sib to 89K earner Leawood Ted.

Hampden Fiveone

Has not shown much firepower regardless of course or distance; may have trouble with this turnback in distance yet he switches to the handling of Ortiz who has established an excellent win percentage at the meet.

Horse With No Name

Progeny of Giant's Causeway, a multiple Group 1 winner who notched 3.07 million, have won just over 10 percent of their debuts; the dam went 1 for 13 earning 62K; there are no winning siblings to mention. By Jim Kachulis

Race 7

Sidearm

Great sign that his 1st race over the AQU-Inner dirt track is a new Beyer speed figure career Top; cutting back a half furlong does not help the cause for ths late runner who has never raced this short of a distance during career; the 3-back winner is now 3-for-3 Beyering 95 in his next-out 100K stakes victory.

Double Gold

May have the best inside speed although did not break sharply in last; returns to the win distance off the 96-day absence for a high-percentage fresh trainer; wish the worktab stood out more; figures to be in the pace mix early then hopes to hang on late.

Sol the Freud

Consistent Beyers on display and figures to work out an ideal stalking trip chasing speedsters Sing the Dream-Bourbon Therapy-Double Gold from the gate; returns to the debut-win distance when scoring right on the lead; easily handled Sing the Dream 2 back facing the runner-up and show finishers next-out 79-76 Beyer AQU-147K-100K-stakes winners.

Bourbon Therapy

1st race off the claim was a 37-point Beyer boost when scoring right on the lead but has Sing the Dream and Double Gold to fend off early then hold off the stalkers/closers; great sign that the win rider who had other options sides with this one.

Geaux Mets

Did not want any parts of route racing or stakes rivals in last; today races with his heaviest-weight assignment ever giving signficant concessions to runners he narrowly defeated 13 days ago; the win rider sides with Bourbon Therapy.

Eye Luv Lulu

32-point Beyer 2nd-start improvement when catching a wet-main track; 31 days since the stalking win over much-lesser maiden claimers; icy-fresh trainer does not add to the appeal as the 1st start vs. winners is often any runner's toughest assignment.

Sandcat

Back to the debut-win distance after just missing by a nose to Geaux Mets getting a positive 4-pound weight swing for the rematch; the 2-back winner made it 3-for-3 next-out scoring in a 100K event with a 95 Beyer; see plenty of upside off his 1st-Inner Dirt start coming back a career-best speed figure.

Sing the Dream

Speedster's best races are when he is on the lead but he brushed the gate in last then made no impact; for the 1st time is in a race where he can be claimed from; 73 days since finishing far back in a key-stakes loss; the runner-up and show finishers from last Beyered 79-76 in next-out AQU-147K-100K-stakes wins.

Social Rebellion

13-pound positive weight swing off latest 5-length loss to Geaux Mets; the 0-for-5 dirt record without an exacta is not easy to take however latest which was his 1st race over today's Inner Dirt which represents a career-best Beyer; has not raced this short since the career debut so getting up in time is a big issue. By Art Gropper

Race 8

Spa City Fever

May was the last time he was in as heavy as 122 pounds; will be giving additional weight to some runners he recently defeated; reunites with a rider 3-0-0-0 during career aboard this guy; his 1-for-13 AQU Inner dirt record comes with a career-best Beyer speed figure posted March, 2012, in a narrow-79K stakes loss at today's distance.

Speightscity

20-1 on the morning-line Sunday in a 100K stakes race at 1M and 70 yards; positive 2-pound weight swing off the more than 10-length loss vs. Spa City Fever; last win was over the track in 2011 at longer; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 93 in a next-out SAR-OPC win; would be a complete surprise.

Hackleton

Horse for the course is 3-for-3 here; has only sprinted off the January claim but stretches back out to his longest distance test since the purchase; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 90 in a next-out AQU-OPC win; has won at longer but off recent form stamina is the huge issue.

Readthebyline

4-0-0-1 record since his front-running field-best Beyer at longer on BEL dirt; loves this oval although his last race here in March was his 1st off-the-board finish over the track; brief speed in recent losses; the 3-back winner repeated in a 98K event with a 90 Beyer; know him early but unsure about late.

Snake Pit

Stalks the speed then hopes to wear them down in deep stretch; 10 weeks away for a high-percentage fresh trainer; was outfinished in latest at today's distance; been best on PRX dirt with 5 of his 9 starts and both wins there; has plenty to prove on any other surfaces; will be taking a wait and see apporach.

Comandante

Rock-solid form since the barn change including the 2-back win over the runner-up finisher an 83 Beyer AQU-OPC next-out victor; figures for an ideal trip stalking the speed and returns to the surface of his graduation; has never been better and will be tough to hold off in deep stretch on fast footing.

Fortify

Romped 1st time on a wet-main track stalking the speed then drawing away when the rider asked; his last start on fast dirt was in the 2012 Breeders' Cup Juvenile; the 3-back winner repeated in million-dollar race next out; figures to stalk the speed and hopes to come up just as big on a dry-fast oval as he did on a wet track.

Zetterholm

Late runner was impressive in his March win over the track at longer; needs a well-timed ride to score; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 93 in his next-out AQU-OPC win; he beat the 4th, 8th and 9th-place finishers from last they Beyered 94-81-75 in next-out AQU-OPC and FL-allowance wins.

Cease

Nowhere in a Breeders Cup event now in a race where he can be claimed from; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 92 in his next-out BHP-Grade 3 stakes win; mixed reviews in 2 races off the claim winning with 1st blinkers then showing nothing in the B.C. when badly overmatched.

This Hard Land

Positive 2-pound weight swing off the more than 12-length loss on a wet-main track a surface he has handled well in the past; late kick was too late in 4 races over the track in 2013; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 93 in his next-out SAR-OPC win; will be seeking the winner elsewhere.

Park City

Saved best Beyer for last the 1st time he ever raced on a wet-main track; began career 2-for-2 sprinting which might be his best game although 2-back lost to the runner-up finisher who Beyered 90 in his next-out AQU-OPC score; the 3-back winner and runner-up Beyered 95-89 in next-out AQU-KEE-G1 wins.

Writingonthewall

3-for-3 since the claim all-front-running wins but has several signed on inside of him especially Readthebyline that would make the frontend very hotly-contested here; beat the 2-back runner-up and show finishers they Beyered 89-82 in next-out AQU-OPC and 20K-claiming wins. By Art Gropper

Race 9

Sunnysider

Slow learner finally got the money; some like this kind of play figuring that the runner now has the confidence to move on; show horse in last came back to win all out by a nose; the drill on the 26th is a positive sign; cozy slot, should sit a nice stalk and pounce trip, don't ignore.

Petrocelli

Bothered early two back, runner exited the double live fray two back; he almost got the money at 29-1 last time; barn has been firing on all cylinders and last race was the best since the third in this league 3 back; must be left in the mix.

Ten Ed

Gelding only beat a pair to the wire the other time on the inner; soph started to wake up as soon as he got away from MSW foes; agile enough to overcome the slow start in last, probably needs to improve to repeat today.

Hidden Vow

Can't be thrilled with the local record on the inner; over 3 clear, he seemed on the verge of a big run in last but was hung wide every step of the way from slot 11; backers can point to the fact she did graduate in the return effort and he closed into the slow pace that day; needs very best.

Tycoon Cat

Off the rail, he has the three races under the girth now and last race came back okay; 5th finisher in last took a $12.5K claimer next out and the winner repeated in that same league; 5 times as many slices as wins is a legit concern and he just has not shown the killer instinct; one angle to think about: this rider is 5 for 16 for this barn of late.

Copywriter

Don t be too harsh about last as he stopped badly in the off going; gelding must prove he can win in this circuit and maybe he just needs to hear his feet rattle, both wins came on fast surfaces; needs a rebound run.

Star of New York

Three of his 7 wins have been here but he s in a flat-out funk; 6/6 place horse won twice since, the last in this very league with an 81 Beyer; more experienced pilot takes the reins but runner was out of the money in a cheaper spot in April; respect these connections.

Chilton

One for 23 but the win came on this surface; never like to see them give up clear leads like a 3-length advantage at the top of the lane; runner was nearly 4 lengths clear and the show horse was also by himself; after two races to build on now, look for rider to send hard and try to steal it again.

Here Comes Tommy

Soph has run well here without winning on this inner strip; despite being hung out to dry in the November opener, runner was right there at the top of the lane but could not carry on with the momentum; Ortiz got a chance to figure him out; note the maiden breaker did come in a stretch out situation; must be left in the mix.

Sunlover

Dirt to turf worked like perfection for the lone score; runner pressed the pedestrian pace in last and he still lost a little ground late; must find a way to turn the tables on Hidden Vow among others.

Saxophone Len

There are some red flags here; you have to wonder if that win in August of last year knocked the starch out of him?; he had to take the time off, was pushed into the stakes in the return and has not been able to close the deal since; mirror races in last pair and neither was pretty; needs a turn around.

Awesome Heart

In good hands, he has a shot to get the trip as dam won routing several times; bothered in the sprint 2 back, Beyers going in the right direction and note the show horse in last was over 3 clear; expect more speed from this guy if he gets a chance to suit up.

Sinistra

This is his venue; runner has to have his sea legs under him by now with the improving Beyers and note he was tons best of the rest in last; the March to October freshening seems to have done him a world of good; major player if the scratches are kind.

Smokin Candy

First time under purchase price; after a solid sophomore season, runner has just not been able to close the deal often in 2013; note he lost ground in the lane in last and the wraps were added; try to get a good look at him on the track.

Paddy Kunuckles

Beaten over 13 lengths in the best result on the inner; even if you figure he hated the mud in last, soph has to prove it on this surface and he has limited speed; the defeat against much softer when claimed in July is a tough race to get over; one positive is he is back with his favorite pilot.

Lord of Love

Only in the money twice vs. winners and he really didn't threaten the winners that day; he needed a good sealed surface and a turf to dirt move for the lone win but has not been able to show that kind of speed since; not seeing it. By Brian Mulligan