Aqueduct: Closer Looks for February 10, 2014

Race 1

Legally Bay

Just missed in her last 2 starts including most recently while sprinting with cheaper in her return to the inner track; draws well for the stretchout, but she'll catch a tougher bunch here than she faced in her last 2 Finger Lakes route placings and may only be up to contending for a minor award today.

Iratinelexburance

Hood comes off for the rise back to this level after getting beaten as the chalk on the stretch back out last time; price will be better this time but don't know that the equipment change is going to do enough to help her have a serious say in the outcome today; maybe for a share.

Tizallheart

Wasn't a threat against MSWs in his first over the inner last time and now he'll move back in with claimers; his prior try over the local inner track wasn't terrible and he did suffer through some trouble in that one, but his bigger numbers have come on the green and he'll likely take some money off them; prefer to side with others on the win end.

Boxford Belle

Lightly raced filly ran out of racetrack while making her first start in 15 months at Parx; she'll try 2 turns for the initial time in her local debut and the barn hasn't had much luck second off the break but they boast nice numbers on the stretchout; though the dam did her best work sprinting she was also a G2 SW router and she dropped 3 route winners; doesn't catch a very tough bunch, either, so would give her a second look at a price.

Sundae School

Ten time loser drops back in for a tag after being overmatched at the MSW level last time; she's run well at a flat mile, but she'll tackle 2 turns today and despite her pedigree, she's been shaky at the configuration on the green; maybe she has more to offer going long on dirt, but she's had her chances.

Star Empress

Earned a big number in her lone 2 turn try 2 starts back with MSWs and now he'll drop in for a tag; last out sprint served to sharpen her early lick and the barn boasts nice numbers with its stretchouts; third in each of her 5 starts for this outfit, if she shows up with her regular effort she figures to be tough to down. - Steve Grabowski

Race 3

Locks of Gold

Possible early pace player looks like she's more comfortable racing over turf than dirt and she also looks like she prefers distances shorter than today's one mile assignment; she will need to show more than she has in her four dirt starts to prove to be the one in this spot.

Patriot's Jewel

She hasn't registered a blip on the Beyer Speed Figure radar screen in her first six starts and she had to be eased in her first route attempt when last seen; third-place finisher from latest won next out at GP on 12/15 going 1m over turf vs. 25k MCL's with a 72 Beyer.

Bebes Passion

Her better races have been run over turf and this is an 0-for-26 maiden; connections will hope for better with a switch to an apprentice rider, but her dirt form hasn't been strong enough to help give her the look of a contender.

Left Uppercut

Her better races have been run over turf and from nine dirt starts her best Beyer Speed Figure is a 31, and that was over a surface with moisture in it; this is a soft spot, but going to look toward others.

Explosive Smile

It's a little interesting to see that she's attracted some wagering support for her first two starts, but it would have been nice to have seen her show a little more at second asking after being claimed away from the Servis barn; when considering her pedigree, perhaps having more distance to work with can help her.

Gingee

Although she took a step in the wrong direction in her latest outing, her two starts prior to that were strong enough to suggest that she can get the job done in a spot like this; runner up from latest won next out at Aqu on 1/31 going 1m vs. 12.5k MCL's with a 48 Beyer.

Sky Lassie

She sports some of the faster and more consistent overall form in here and she finished in front of one of today's key rivals in Gingee in her latest outing; the rider switch to Rice is worth noting as she's won with 5 of 12 (42%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting. - Brian Pochman

Race 4

Cryptic Comet

Miss got a feel of the inner strip and considering she hooked a freak, the race was not all that bad; backers can point to the fact there is a 7-time winner in the family; even if she repeats her effort in the win, miss could be hard pressed to beat this group.

Longride to Wisdom

Overmatched several times early in her career, she opened the year cashing on the drop and held her own vs. winners last time; note show horse in last was well clear; she needs help up front but there are several in here with designs on the top; the hotter the pace the better.

Manhattan Gin

One of only 2 in the field with 2 wins; 12/13 show horse cashed next out in a $25K N2L fray; troubled in the debut, fried in a duel last time, miss seems to be feeling pretty good about herself after the blowout on Thursday; needs a turn around.

Possetivevibration

Finally off the rail, miss found swimming with winners tough in deeper waters; she has a right to have a nice career as kin to near $200K earner Willy's Wicked Way; could see her pushing the issue, but there is speed on both sides of her; needs very best.

Jen's Miracle

Agile enough to overcome being forced to steady to graduate; could see her getting a similar trip to the debut, maybe sitting 4 or 5 off a contested pace; backers have to hope they go bonkers early and the race falls apart.

Bella the Bandit

Homebred showed speed from Day One but she showed a new wrinkle graduating when able to rate off the pace; the Remington finale came back okay as the 4th and 5th finishers took MSW events next out with 55 and 79 Beyers respectively; barn continues to pop and if this miss can show similar speed to the 10/23 race she'll be a handful.

Henry's Gal

Bet like a good thing in bow and now the place horse was well clear; she cashed off the claim but that has just been the order of the day for Jacobson; note show horse in last was a dozen clear; future bright for this gal as full bro Disco's Son took 5 of 17, earned nearly $160K; rider has had good success for this barn; can't fault those that stay or jump on this bandwagon. - Brian Mulligan

Race 6

Cat Man Fu

His best effort is fast enough to get him into the mix against these, but when seeing that he's seeking his first career win in his 43rd start, it's tough to have any confidence in him to get the job done; going to limit his chances to a spot underneath in the exotics.

Ronnie's Whey

If he can perform the way he did at second asking, he's going to make some noise in this spot, and maybe he can bounce back with a sharper start while making his second start with Lasix; Luzzi has won with 4 of 7 (57%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Felix

He's tough to back based on what he showed in his career debut, but when seeing that he attracted some wagering support for that race, maybe we just didn't see the best of him that day; not going to be entirely shocked if he shows up with a better effort.

Here He Fitz

Don't like to see that he hasn't even posted a runner-up finish through his first 10 starts or that he's been beaten by a couple of today's rivals in recent races, but he really isn't a bad fit in this spot; leaning toward others, but not counting him out of it.

Privatize

He boasts the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here and this has to be considered an ideal spot for him to make a serious bid at his first career win; third-place finisher from latest won next out at Aqu on 1/27 going 6f vs. 16k MCL's with a 74 Beyer.

Midnight Missile

Lightly raced 4-year-old goes out for a barn that has been hitting at a 25% clip over the past year, and even though he finished behind a couple of today's rivals in his latest outing, he's plenty eligible to still have more to show us.

Sir Maurice

Thought that he squandered a golden opportunity when giving up a long late lead two races back, but he has recorded back-to-back runner-up finishes since being equipped with blinkers, and perhaps being reunited with Lopez can prove to be a key. - Brian Pochman

Race 7

Jack's R Wild

Makes his belated 6 furlong debut and is more than likely going to rally after the fact once again; gets in very light but a very strong early pace does not seem in the cards in this event; generous odds for sure, but minor award at best.

Billy the Bull

Although he was outfinished by Western Tryst last month, he could be holding the pace advantage here with that important tightener under his belt; previous effort of last April was noteworthy also as he was hindered by a wide post and racing path; the selection.

Sneaky Freud

Steady check earner had a nice trip in his latest placing and can work out a similar journey here for the new connections; the race 2 back was way above average in terms of pace and final time; looks like a genuine trifecta presence.

Here Comes Tommy

Takes a while to get going and he might have been bothered by the wet-fast conditions in the last pair when defeated by some of today's opponents; the fact remains that his best performances have been over the turf; perhaps wait until he returns to that preferred surface.

Trackmens Star

Exits a needed tightening race where he never really fired; overall Beyers come up short compared to the major players and he will be considered one of the rank outsiders in the wagering once again; cannot endorse at this time.

Half Nelson

Failed twice in a row as the public choice; might be better off as a dead send today and can turn things around if that strategy is employed; if front-runners have fared well on the card, he should be given bonus points.

Piscesbymoonlight

On the shelf since September, he has turned in some fair training track breezes during the last month or so; seems a better fit at a distance of ground though so this could be prep towards such an attempt; mixed signals.

Western Tryst

Ran down Billy the Bull for secondary honors last month when losing to a blowout, odds-on repeat winner (Marriedtothemusic came back to run a 99 Beyer in a tough optional claimer and has become one of the better statebred sprinters on the grounds); obvious true contender.

Ed's Magic

Scheduled to add Lasix after being trounced by some of these same rivals despite a ground-saving trip; may be better off from this outer slot and the possible return to a fast track; he was particularly sharp in the race 2 back, initial start under these silks. - Jim Kachulis

Race 8

Seventy Six

Draws the fence for his return from the break after failing to factor in his first crack at the level at Belmont in early fall; gelding's 2 wins have each come at one turn though he did run ok over the strip last winter; expect he'll need one for this low percentage outfit.

Ghostly Vision

Beaten last out chalk enters this one fresh and has hit the board in each of his cracks at this level; he's never been out of the money in 4 cracks over the inner and his career best Beyer effort did come 2 turning upstate last summer; one to consider.

Towering Moon

Five year old hasn't had much impact sprinting of late including most recently over this strip; he's yet to get back to the level of his impressive debut effort in his sophomore year and 2 turns hasn't been his game; have to look at others on the win end.

Street Lord

Runner up in his last 2 just missed most recently at a slightly shorter trip; he's done well since returning to the inner and he will get a switch to a top pilot for another crack in this condition; with a quick stretchout sprinter signed on the pace in front of him should be honest and that makes him a big threat to break through today; contender.

Sinistra

Four year old has taken a big step forward since moving back to the inner strip over which he's run pretty well in his 7 career tries; he'll tackle better in here for an outfit that is profitable with its runners seeking a repeat; don't know that he's as good as some of these, but the price should be solid for an easy last out winner.

Go Get the Basil

Offered some promise as a sophomore last year and has run well in each of his 2 recent starts at this venue; 4 year old has solid positional foot and he's been working quite well for another shot at this level; inner track slate suggests a move forward may be on tap following the last out figure regression; with several interim bullets in his holster we'll give him the nod to beat these home.

Readytodefer

Sprinter will tackle 2 turns for the first time in his return from the freshening for a barn that hits at a nice clip with its returnees; while he likes the inner and tackles statebreds in here, he's in for the optional tag here and that suggests he may not be at his best for this, but his lick will probably have him leading this bunch early; tries to take them as far as he can go.

Tug of War

Sharpened his lick sprinting in a protected spot while making his first start off this barn's claim; gelding ran ok while attending to soft splits 2 back at the level and he did run well over the inner last winter, but he'll need to take a good step forward off what he's running to threaten in here.

Zetterholm

Gelding takes a good drop in company off what he has been facing in his last handful of starts; he came into his own here a couple of winters back and maybe he finds this the level at which he fits, but they are willing to lose him here and that dulls the hopes a bit.

Prohibition

Seeks his fourth straight score on the rise to this level after crushing a local field in his return to statebred competition first time over the inner strip; gelding retains his pilot and doesn't need the top for his best so though he draws outside he should be able to work out a tracking trip; one to beat in his current form. - Steve Grabowski

Race 9

My Jordy

By default, this gelding stands a tall chance because he is facing a field of mostly professional maidens; his sire won multiple G1s and 2.76 million; the dam won 1 of 4 and 8K; among the winning siblings is 85K earner Night Pearl.

Prince Curlin

One of several members of this line-up with more than a dozen losses thus far although his last pair of efforts did show distinct improvement; got into gear too late in his most recent cutback try and the extra distance today should help matters.

Go to the Net

Did not have a smooth trip in the latest route attempt; this trainer has done well with turnback longshots such as this; needs an unusual pace meltdown in order to have a realistic chance for a share.

Rontos' Code

Florida invader is one of the main speeds to consider if he can handle this unique inner dirt surface; was on or near solid paces in the last few attempts and should be part of an easier set of early fractions today for the Maragh crew.

Consoles Gotta Go

Scheduled to add blinkers after being trounced by some of these same rivals last month; may not have cared for the muddy surface that day and can show much more endurance over a fast track; betting value will be there.

Moonlite Encounter

Finished well 2 weeks ago when losing by a diminishing margin but the final time of that event was ordinary in nature; will have to rally from much further back if Ronto's Code displays his usual gate speed and that will hinder his chances; difficult call.

Unbridled Bear

Game to capture the place last month, an effort which followed an extensive layoff; the grey should move forward after that tightener for this aunt/niece trainer/jockey combination; a stronger early pace would help the cause.

Kissed and Missed

Has to be respected off the claim as the new trainer has compiled excellent numbers at the meet; seems capable of making first run but does not warrant such a short price as was the case in his December getaway race.

Flashy Ross

On par with several of this group, he is burdened by the outermost post today and the return to six furlongs; neither of those factors with work in his favor and he is destined for minor spoils at best. - Jim Kachulis