Aqueduct
Aqueduct: Closer Looks for December 8, 2013
Race 2
| Mia Missile |
| Most noteworthy breeze last month was on 11/10; her sire was a G1 type who banked 2.19 million (descendants of Golden Missile have won 44 out of 428 debuts); the dam lost her only race and this is her sole foal to start. |
| Nowurcookinwithgas |
| No factor first time out but did not have the smoothest of trips that day; her sire won multiple G1s on the NYRA circuit while earning a total of 2.28 million; the dam was unraced and this is her only foal to compete. |
| Longride to Wisdom |
| Did not handle the extension in distance last month and may have some difficulty on this turnback; reverts to the same apprentice as 2 back but the latest breeze does not inspire much confidence; cannot give her a serious recommendation. |
| Confederate Bay |
| Woke up when dropping down recently over the tundra of Finger Lakes; set decent fractions in that placing and although stepping up the class ladder today, may find herself alone on the lead; dangerous money player if that is the case. |
| La Dama de Hierro |
| Her work tab shows much life and she hails from 249K winner Raffie's Majesty whose offspring have won 10 of 136 initial starts; the dam won 2 of 14 appearances earning 72K; sib to 130K earner Ornellia. |
| Peach Lake |
| Made up decent ground in that second attempt; her sire won multiple G1s and 1.16 million; the mom won 1 of 15 and 6K; among the winning siblings is 206K earner Major Idea; has to get into the race sooner. |
| Saharan Serenade |
| Ordinary a.m. moves are on view for this daughter of Wild Desert who amassed 1.04 million (his progeny, however, are zero for 52 first time out); the dam was without a tally in 5 attempts and this is her only foal to start. |
| Barrier to Entry |
| The offspring of City Zip, a G1 victor who netted 818K, have done very well first time out, winning 81 out of 530; the dam involved won 1 of 4 and 62K; winning siblings include 99K earner Rough Winter. |
| Cryptic Comet |
| She tries blinkers for the first time after gaining some conditioning on the turf last month; showed some pace-prompting ability in previous efforts and could work out an ideal stalking journey here; note upgrade in latest half-mile breeze. |
Race 3
| Candyman E |
| First part of the coupling makes his first local start while going first off the claim for a prolific outfit; he exits a front running score from the Belmont fence so he's capable of using his early foot if need be and he has kept some pretty solid company this year; while there is some other lick in here the inside draw probably commits them to the top and this 6 year old has won at 6 1/2 panels so maybe he'll be able to keep going at this slightly longer trip; he'll probably have to be run down. |
| Fiddlers Afleet |
| Statebred returns from another brief freshening while making her first start for another new outfit off a weak try at Belmont; 7 year old will get a weight break with the bug named, but he's been off his best game for half a year now and given the fact his prior barn dropped him in price off the claim, maybe he just doesn't have that much left; prefer to side with others. |
| Congressional Page |
| Eight year old is another who used to be a pretty useful runner, but his efforts of late leave something to be desired; maybe he was just in too tough in that last out Laurel stake, but he had little to offer behind today's rail runner 2 back at this level; he did breeze well for his local debut last week, but we'll be looking elsewhere for the winner. |
| Tenango |
| Sophomore has proven to be a decent sprinter and he was just in the wrong spot while making his turf debut last time out at Belmont; cut back, surface switch and brief freshening are all productive angles for this sharp outfit; this gelding doesn't figure to be too far off the pacesetters early and he could be in the right spot to inherit if things heat up; consider. |
| Moonlight Song |
| He's certainly looked like a new animal since returning for his 6 year old season and he was right there against a subsequent open company SW when last sighted at Belmont; there is speed in here so maybe he's again able to track and fire and that last out number does play out well in here; statebred looks to be the one to down. |
| Dr. Wesley |
| A couple of months off and a trainer change have made all the difference for this gelding who wired cheaper fields in each of his 2 starts under this barn's care; the outfit is profitable fresh and this guy is quick from the bell, but he may encounter some other speed drawn down inside and now they'll ask him to negotiate a 7th panel; he'll have to earn this one. |
| Kanturk Kid |
| Other half of the entry makes his first start off the barn's claim after sitting on the sidelines since beating fellow sophomores on the lawn early in the Saratoga meeting; he'll try older in his return and now he'll turn back to sprint and he's yet to tackle a one turn trip; his pilot is named on both parts of the coupling so only one will go and if he's chosen to represent the barn he'll have his work cut out for him. |
Race 5
| Tyrus |
| 2nd race off the claim and 1st time over the track is a career-best Beyer speed figure performance; the 3-back winner repeated in a CD-25K claimer with an 86 Beyer; was edged by the August winner who repeated in a CT-400K stakes with an 89 speed figure. |
| Sensational Slam |
| 57-day absence since the upset-winning key race beating the show and 5th-place finishers next-out 83-82 Beyer winners in $12,500 claimers; his co-field-best Beyer was posted at 6F on AQU-Inner Dirt March, 2011, in a 63K stakes rallying from 5th at the 1st call. |
| Majestic Number |
| May co-field-best Beyer on BEL dirt was accomplished at 6F; is 2-for-3 over the track including latest-sharp win over lesser; both wins on AQU Main were by more than 4-length margins; he can win from on the lead or off the pace; curious that the win rider lands on Hay Shares for this. |
| Hay Shares |
| More than 6 months since a career-low Beyer in the stakes-debut key race; the winner, runner-up and 5th-place finishers from last Beyered 99-90-82 in next-out New York Derby and BEL-100K-98K stakes wins; comes off the bench to face open company with a less-than-enticing worktab for this; 2-for-2 on AQU Main both gate-to-wire wins; a major pace presence. |
| Carried Interest |
| Almost 7 months on the shelf for a trainer 1-for the last-14 with runners off similar layoffs; 3-back-fresh race is a co-field-best Beyer when edged by the winner who repeated in a TAM-75K stakes with an 89 speed figure; beat the show runner in a BEL-G2 in 2012 who won next-out in a BEL-125K stakes with an 83 Beyer. |
| Abra |
| 3-for-5 on fast-main tracks and 0-for-5 on anything else; perfect on AQU Main winning both times from just offr the pace; gets in with his lightest-weight assignment ever; the 3-back winner and runner-up finishers Beyered 88-84 in next-out BEL-optional-claiming wins. |
| Shankopotamus |
| Exits his best Beyer since the BEL-mud win October, 2012, at 7F; winless over the track although was imressive in defeat in last; beat the July show runner who Beyered 76 in his next-out FL alw. win; both wins in 2013 on the lead so best hope is to play catch me if you can but has to outbreak Hay Shares which is a tough task. |
| Mewannarose |
| Edged by lesser in Maryland with a 1-for-4 New York record but has never raced on AQU Main; did not show much run in the slop 3-back vs the winner who made it 3-for-3 next with an 89 Beyer taking a BEL-optional claimer; the show runner 3-back scored next out with a 97. |
Race 6
|
Race 7
| Barrister Jim |
| Never looked back after making the top in his first with winners at this trip last month and now he'll try better in his first off this sharp outfit's claim; with a push he may be able to make the top from this draw while in search of his third straight score and while he catches a tougher set they may have to come and get him to win. |
| Deadicated Deal |
| Enters this fresh after offering little in his first crack with winners ay Belmont; gelding should appreciate the drop to this level and he did break his maiden in a bit shorter one turn heat upstate, earning a number that would put him in the picture here; recent breezes for his return are slow, but the price should be right. |
| Risk Management |
| Earned a solid number first time off the barn's claim when stretched out to this trip; lightly raced gray is quick enough to secure a good spot early and he certainly has a right to be tighter second time back from better than 5 months on the shelf; contender. |
| Pass the Tap |
| First part of the coupling just missed sprinting as the odds on chalk off this outfit's claim; he was coming on late in that one and his one turn mile spin at Laurel earlier this year wasn't bad so the stretchout could play to his benefit for a barn that does well with the move; one to consider but note that his last out pilot opts to side with his entrymate. |
| Balance of Power |
| Makes his first start with older rivals while returning from 7 months on the shelf here; gelding doesn't have any one turn experience so he does have that to overcome, but he's fired fresh and the barn does do a nice job with this type; gets in light with the capable bug named. |
| Tug of War |
| Statebred makes his first start for a new outfit while fresh; he was quite good against restricted runners here last season and though he hasn't been quite as good since leaving the barn he was in then, it is encouraging that they don't offer him for sale in his return; maybe the move back to dirt helps, but he's got some improving to do to step with these. |
| Spirited Touch |
| Barn's other half just missed while sprinting in his first with winners; sophomore has continued to show solid early foot since shipping here and now he'll try a flat mile; he's had his stamina issues at route trips but now that he's figured things out he may handle it better; presence of speed drawn on the fence may make things tough for him early but in his current form he must be considered. |
| Make It Gold |
| He's been given a little time since wiring claimers when dropped to this level in his return from the break at Belmont; we know he capable of firing fresh, but now he'll have new footing to deal with; barn does do a nice job on the surface switch and this guy is bred to handle the new footing; gets a weight break with the new bug named and he's had a pretty nice year in Maryland. |
| Third Knight |
| Found allowance runners too tough after besting conditioned claimers at this trip 2 back at Belmont; maybe he likes this bunch better and he does look to get another honest clip in front of him in this spot; giving him the nod to run them down. |
| Revelationist |
| Seeks his third straight score while rising up the class ladder with a bullet interim breeze in tow; he got a nice clip in front of him in his local debut score and he'll get another new pilot for this one, but his tactical foot helps him sit solid tracking spots and that has helped make him a threat; can get in the mix for a share here. |
| Finn's Quest |
| He's offered for the optional tag after failing to factor on the local lawn last month; colt was ok on dirt in Florida last winter and maybe the return to this type of surface helps move him up some at which fogires to be a good price. |
| Unbridled Logic |
| He's another recent turfer who will make his way back to the main track in this spot, but he's run his career best numbers over the green; his inner track tries prove he can handle dirt and his off the pace style could play well into a heat that does contain some speed; if the outside part of the track isn't at too much of a disadvantage he's worth a good look. |
Race 8
| Readthebyline |
| Had things going along wonderfully from last fall into this summer, topped off by a big win at BEL June 22 (103 Beyer) and then a sharp 3rd in a stakes at SAR July 22; however, the pattern since is worrisome - 3 months off and 2 dull return races; at least there's no huge drop for this try (not offered for a tag) but did whatever sent him away for the summer take a few steps away from him, hmmmm? |
| Cougar Ridge |
| Looks as though he's getting acclimated to his new surroundings; showed talent in Europe, then 2 decent races on turf in Ky. to start his U.S. career before he added blinkers for a race washed off the turf at CD Nov. 13 and romped; obviously dirt is no problem and while he's up in class and dealing with new surroundings he's trending the right way and can certainly be scary. |
| Park City |
| Real nice first impression winning his debut at SAR in July 2012 and then after being gone over 6 months beating winners at GP Feb. 9; that was enough to earn a shot at the G2 Tampa Bay Derby March 9; alas, those waters proved too deep and it's worrisome that he wasn't seen again for 8 months and when he came back here Nov. 16 he was no factor at all; at least there's no drop and no layoff but considering Pletcher's runners are usually primed off the bench that last dull run is disconcerting to be sure, isn't it? |
| Point Taken |
| Continues his solid form; that 2nd here Nov. 28 was very nice, particularly as the horse he chased, Spa City Fever, is a tough customer and came right back to win; winless in 4 tries here, yes, but 3 2nds and 1 3rd show he handles this place just fine; versatility and tactical speed to get a good trip, and you know he's a pro - hey, you don't win 8 times by accident. |
| Two Is to Many |
| Came back after a few months off with 2 nice 2nds on the dirt at CRC; then tried turf again Oct. 20 - well, that didn't go well at all; freshened since, returns for a new trainer, returns to dirt and is down in class and maybe all that can get him back on track, though he is asked to deal with new surroundings. |
| Mr Palmer |
| No factor in last 3 starts but note WHAT those 3 starts were - the G1 Wood, G2 Indiana Derby and G3 Discovery; doesn't face any opposition quite like that here and while he's down in class this is by no means a panic move; after all, he's NOT offered for a tag either; very nice :48.20B at BEL Dec. 1 says he's doing well. |
Race 9
| Bizi Bein a Lizi |
| Beginner was sired by Freud who won 1 of 12 starts and 44K (his progeny have scored in 11 percent of their debuts); the dam won 1 of 8 races and 20K; among the winning siblings is 134K earner Gold Joy. |
| Cake N Cookies |
| Although off the board in her turf assignment last month, she showed much more in the way of pace prompting ability; her sire won multiple G2s and 450K (all scores on the main oval); the dam lost her only race; sib to 241K earner Navigator. |
| Isn'tshewonderfull |
| Has earned several checks but tends to take a while to get into stride; exits a slow race where she was compromised by the pedestrian early splits; even with the prospect of a quicker pace today, she may rally after the fact again. |
| Selena's Charm |
| Newcomer was sired by G1 winner Bandini who captured 676K and whose descendants have won nearly 10 percent of their debuts; the dam was without a tally in 7 attempts; there are no winning siblings to mention. |
| Platinum Bombshell |
| Respectable first effort last month when rallying on an extra-wide path; her sire won 2.19 million including G1 success while the dam won 3 of 36 and 209K; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate. |
| Eva Lil |
| Chronic maiden earned her best number at seven furlongs and is an unlikely leading lady on this turnback; very hard to recommend regardless of the soil condition or how the early pace unfolds; pass until further notice. |
| Sixwinesfriendly |
| Decent maiden voyage a month ago and she adds the hood; her sire, an underrated sprinter, won a G2 and 1.36 million while the dam won 3 of 9 and 95K; among the winning siblings is 291K earner Too Tough Pete. |
| Tassinaia |
| Beaten favorite was near a decent pace, comparatively, in her last assignment; should find herself within striking range again despite the distance transition and figures prominently off the tightener; might be an underlay again, however. |
| Candy's Luck |
| She stopped cold once again in her recent test but did show the best early speed of her career; doubt that the shorter distance will be of much help though even with the return to apprentice handling; huge odds assured. |
| Signora Sofia |
| Not much to highlight thus far and she comes out of the same ordinary race as several of her foes; best performances have been over the inner dirt; perhaps watch until racing switches to that venue in the near future. |
| Lovely Athena |
| By default, this firster can make an impact, her sire won multiple G1s and 4.91 million (descendants of Utopia have scored in 6 out of 124 debuts); the dam won 2 of 10 and 73K; among the winning siblings is 103K earner Judge Well. |
| You Take the Cake |
| She has tailed off since that solid placing at Saratoga this past summer; unlucky lass had difficult trips in the last pair and perhaps can secure clear sailing from this wide post; can land a major share at a healthy price. |
| Gold Potion |
| Deceptive first performance when compromised by the rail; her sire won the G1 Forego and 616K while the dam won 3 of 12 and 37K; among the winning siblings is 53K earner Spyglass; worth some inclusion today. |
| Today Not Tommorow |
| The grey has shown no endurance whatsoever thus far and the blinker addition has not helped much at all; doubt that this turnback in distance will matter and this outermost post is a further problem; pass. |