Aqueduct: Closer Looks for February 17, 2014

Race 1

Twillerbee

Mare has won on the inner but lost 11 times too; 10 times more slices than wins, and although she has speed, it's hard to see her clearing here; she may be better off settling anyway; in light, needs very best.

My Honey Laurie

Five times more slices than wins; not good; she never raised a gallop last time and she beat the soft group in the last victory; note wraps added last time; it all adds up to having her work cut out here.

Very Cherry Candy

Michael P. Depaulo was named as owner for the last race; agile enough to overcome the slow start two back and she proved she could win on the conventional dirt in last; blowout 9 days ago was solid; this miss looks live.

Coast of Sangria

She set the moderate pace and still could not close the deal; the pace figures faster this time and miss has to prove it on the inner; she has only been in the money once since the last win; not sure the race sets up all that great for her.

Natalie Victoria

Hot claim box item can run; she really perks up here in the winter and note show horse in last was well clear; not disgraced in the stakes in June; 12/22 place horse took a $12.5 claimer next out, lost next pair; she fits on the Beyer scale; respect.

Belle Gallantey

Rodriquez winning off the claim; what a shocker; but mare did it with authority and she has more speed than she just flashed; she stumbled in last and still cruised and love fact runners in the company line were clear; repeat well with the story line.

Go Olivia Go

Three of her 4 wins came on the inner; nice; 12/26 show horse won twice since, the last against $16K claimers with a 57 Beyer; she kind of lacked the killer instinct but brings back checks; must be left in the exotic conversation - Brian Mulligan

Race 2

Street Prince

Rested nearly 2 months since turning in the best performance of his career; workout activity is light during the interim yet he appears a prime contender in this spot who may only have to fend off Cost Affective in order to finally score.

Mach Seven

Found himself alone on the lead briefly in a paceless route affair in that last assignment; nothing to suggest he can handle this turnback in distance or steep rise in class; cannot vote for the top spot regardless of soil condition.

In the Dark

A solid effort last time out but against high-grade claimers; that group might actually have been stronger than this special weight collection; should be within striking range of the lead once again and is recommended for the exotics.

Takajo

Upgraded a bit in the last attempt, a race which included Green Gratto (a key horse of cross-reference here); workout pattern during the last month is above average for the most part; remains a very difficult call.

Cost Affective

Right alongside Street Prince in their last encounter but he did not have a smooth trip that day while favored; has shown some progression in the a.m. and will no doubt be a short price once again in this lackluster field; consider.

Frame

Focus on the race 2 back where he did not lose by much at all to some of these same foes when burdened with a wide journey; the fractions he set in that last route attempt were very strong and he understandably tired in the last furlong; respect. - Jim Kachulis

Race 3

Luckysdream

First part of the coupling just missed as the chalk in his return to the inner last month; he'll make his first start off this sharp outfit's claim with solid early foot in tow as he catches his softest bunch in some time; pilot is named on both halves of the entry so only one will go, but if it's this guy he should prove tough to catch.

Sensational Slam

Gelding was in pretty good form when stepped up to the stakes ranks here a couple of weeks back and though he failed to hit the board he was far from embarrassed in that heat; 6 year old likes this strip and he should appreciate the drop out of the graded ranks, but he runs into a pretty tough coupling in this spot; appears most likely to capitalize if they don't fire.

In the Beat

Hasn't shown much at all since taken by an outfit that's been winless for a while a couple of months back; he'll shed weight for this but he's yet to as much as hit the board in 4 cracks over this strip and doesn't look to be a threat for any of the money spots today; have to pass on this longshot.

Rigby

Seven year old got back on track first time off this barn's claim while beating cheap claimers in his second start since the spring earlier this month; he likes this strip and he brings solid positional foot to the table while catching this better bunch; now that he's proven he's back on his game he must be considered.

Poliziano

Runner up in his last 2 with conditioned claimers tries better while turning back to sprint; he's been ok at one turn in the past and maybe he has a little more to offer in the lane today for a barn whose runners have grabbed some minor awards at the stand; price will be right to give him an exotics look.

Chasing Moonlight

Didn't have any impact against allowance runners last time after a couple of decent efforts over the track and now he'll get a weight break with a bug named; he's settled for his share of minor awards and this outfit didn't win a race all of last year.

Ground Force

Fresh gelding gets a top pilot for his second crack over the inner this season after a wide trip did him in last time out; his prior sprint efforts were pretty solid and he's had a few local interim breezes for his return, but his uncoupled mates look to hold the key to this heat.

Moments Notiz

Seeks his fourth straight score and fifth of his last 6 since moving to this circuit in the fall; second part of the entry also has Lopez named so only one will get to meet the starter; ideally positioned to track the leaders, he should find himself in a great spot from the outset and if he gets to go looms the one to down at a short price. - Steve Grabowski

Race 4

Marriedtothemusic

Sharp front-runner might have Notmyfirstime to deal with here in the early going, but should take some catching if he shakes loose early; accomplished speed rider C.C. Lopez is 0 for 9 at the meet for this live barn; it certainly wouldn't be surprising to see him triple up.

Be Bullish

Has run two solid races since being haltered for $25K by Jacobson, who was 6 for 11 when using the hot bug Rice heading into this week; hard-knocking veteran got a 96 Beyer in his heartbreaking loss in a tough $50K seller Jan. 30, and would be competitive on a repeat; note that he ran third behind Saginaw in this stakes last year.

Johannesburg Smile

Not many horses get claimed for $100K twice in their career, but that happened to this durable 7yo when Jacobson took him from a subpar showing here on the main track Dec. 4; Decarlo is 2 for 3 at the meet for this barn, which has fared very well off the claim; possible for the bottom of intra-race wagers.

Mine Over Matter

Steady chestnut has been idle since running fourth in an Oct. 29 stakes at Belmont behind next-out winners Palace (G3 Fall Highweight, 104 Beyer) and Moonlight Song (N2X/optional, 96 Beyer); owns a good inner track record, and has run some big races off the bench in the past; Hushion and Ortiz are a combined 1 for 1 at the meet; can make some noise at a square price.

Notmyfirstime

Second half of the entry could assume the role of a rabbit to go with the rapid Marriedtothemusic early; 5yo rarely runs a bad one, and is a pretty good fit here from a Beyer Figure perspective; minor player.

Freudian Dilemma

Maryland shipper is jumping up off a daylight score in an optional event at Laurel; he drew nicely on the outside, a post from where his tactical speed may come in handy; however, this might be the toughest group he's ever faced, and he's seemingly in too deep; was cross-entered in an allowance at Parx, which is no easy spot as well. - Ron Gierkink

Race 6

Bass River Road

Winner via a stalking trip in his career debut but came up empty vs. winners when landing behind similar rivals with the same type of journey; the debut win was from the rail draw so will be able to save every inch of ground then hopes to wear down The Rhythmisright; others appeal more.

Social Rebellion

Blinkers on produced his lowest Beyer speed figure since September so the hood comes off for this; lone win at longer and in recent races has been screaming out for more yardage but remains at 6F; gets a good pace flow to rally into but have to wonder if he has enough distance to get up in time to win it all?

Sidearm

Deep closer is helped along by The Rhythmisright, Testosterstone and First Ranger all battling for the front; exits his lowest Beyer since fall which is the main concern; displayed talent by winning his career debut on SAR dirt at today's distance; show finish to Samraat who is now 4-for-4 winning a Grade 3 event 2 races later.

Sandcat

Exits back-to-back career-low Beyers adding blinkers trying to shake up the form; there is some talent here posting a field-best speed figure 3 races ago; trainer is 0-for-9 since 2013 when adding the hood; lone win at shorter; faced the November-AQU allowance winner who is now 4-for-4 Beyering 95-94 in next-out 100K and Grade 3-stakes wins.

Testosterstone

35-point 1st-Lasix 2nd-time out Beyer improvement racing right on the lead but hasThe Rhythmisright and First Ranger to fend off early then the closers late; back in just 22 days when he posted that new Top off a 140-day absence; know him early then hopes to hang on late.

First Ranger

1st-blinkered race is a new Beyer Top graduating at a half furlong shorter; the final yards today are a real concern; The Rhythmisright is back for this beating him to the lead 2-back as the runner-up from that event Beyered 70 in his next-out AQU-MSW win.

The Rhythmisright

Speedster has to outbreak Testosterstone and First Ranger then hold off the closers; won a key race defeating the runner-up and show finishers; they both Beyered 70 in next-out AQU-MSW wins; highest-weight assignment ever here trying to repeat vs. winners; the debut winner repeated in an AQU alw. with an 80 Beyer.

Frost Jordan

48 days since the wet-main track odds-on maiden breaker trying to turn the tables on Bass River Road who did not fire well vs. similar rivals; 23%-winning fresh trainer since 2013 adds to the appeal with mixed reviews from his worktab. - Art Gropper

Race 7

Candy Portena

Attended the pace in her last route attempt and makes her first main track sprint effort here; will likely be a dead send under Lopez and should use the rail to full advantage; worth some inclusion if she continues her pattern of generous odds.

Miss Red Cloud

Have to respect the win percentage of the new connections; the filly could not overcome the pedestrian pace in the latest try going long; might be able to make first run on presumed front-runner Magdelena Bay.

Cajun Wedding

New face was sired by 725K earner Broken Vow whose offspring have won their first test at a rate of 11 percent; the dam was without victory in 7 attempts; among the winning sibs is 26K earner Zydeco Blues.

Whennoone'slooking

Fair breeze from the gate at her Laurel headquarters; the filly hails from pure sprinter Street Boss, a G1 winner who netted 831K (his progeny have done very well first time out, winning nearly 20 percent of the time); the dam won 2 of 12 and 34K; sib to 137K earner Doing Great.

Pitched

Finished strong in the final stages of her maiden voyage of a month ago; her sire won multiple G3s and 413K; the dam never competed; winning siblings include 235K earner Double Espresso; worth some follow-up.

Night Time Slipper

Has failed to hit the board and has shown only a modicum of early foot; will likely be denied the lead in this assignment if all runners go and cannot be given much recommendation; wait until she returns to the claiming ranks.

Killaday

Strong workout on the morning of 1/31 to consider; her sire won a G1 and 616K (descendants of Indian Charlie are 103 for 638 as far as winning their first try); the dam won 5 of 21 and 200K; sib to 147K bankroller Awesome Arceno.

Magdalena Bay

Two sharp efforts thus far, over different types of footing, while favored; her sire won multiple G2s and 769K; the dam went 6 for 23 earning 114K; winning siblings include Emcee, winner of the G1 Forego and 479K overall; obvious danger. - Jim Kachulis

Race 8

Matching Skies

She's taken 2 of her last 3 over the track and now she'll try a bit better while moving to the fence; mare does have solid positional foot which should help her sit a good spot early behind the front runners here; some of these are tougher than she's been facing, but in her current form she may be able to factor for a share.

Concealed

First part of the coupling held on to beat statebreds going long last month and now they'll turf her back to sprint; she's been relatively consistent of the Beyer scale but it's been light of what the bigger gals in here are capable of running; maybe she has a little extra to offer late at this trip but have to side with others on the win end.

Insolvent

Speedy gray didn't have enough when asked at the short price last month and was beaten by a couple of gals who return in this spot as well; she'll tackle and added half panel this time which doesn't figure to make the task any easier but she could again prove to be the quickest of them early and may have to be run down.

E Z Passer

Seven year old was runner up in each of her last 2 starts on this circuit; she hasn't won in a while and the gal who beat her last time does show up in here as well; minor award is her ceiling will in against some tougher foes in this heat.

The Royal Boot

Filly enters this off a solid tracking score in her return from the brief freshening; she brings plenty of speed to the table for a barn that does excellent work keeping them going second back from the break; big gal in here did defeat her rather handily 2 starts back but she's worth a look off that last one.

Nuffsaid Nuffsaid

Mare ran off 3 straight while sprinting on this circuit last year before being stretched out against some decent females since racing moved to the inner strip; she owns victories over today's outside drawn rival and she figures to have more to offer late at this shorter trip; looks to be the main danger in the lane.

Lady Gracenote

Statebred returns for a barn that does well with its fresh runners; beaten last out chalk while return to her preferred trip in this spot and she does own 3 career scores over the inner track; a top pilot will get aboard this off the pace type who should be doing her better running in the lane.

Rosie My Way

Took a step back on the class rise last time after running off 3 straight scores on this circuit; while she's in solid form and gets a switch to a solid journeyman pilot, don't know that she's fast enough to step with the bigger gals in this heat; siding with others.

Magma (GB)

Barn's other half seeks the repeat while stepping up in her first start off their claim; she's had time to get over the career best Beyer score at today's trip, but one of the bigger ones in here defeated her quite handily going long here a few starts back; have to side against the repeat.

Inaflash

Ran her best one from a figure standpoint since the summer when second in her first off this outfit's claim last month; she split a couple of these in that heat and she does show solid tracking foot at times; price figures to be right to give her another shot to get into the exotics in her current form.

Lion D N A

Outside drawn miss finds a soft spot after running off 3 straight scores, including the last 2 in stakes company, since moving to the inner track; expect she must be doing so well they need to get her back on the track rather than wait for the next stakes heat on the calendar; she starts from a great post to put her tracking foot to use and though she spots them all some weight, figures to be tough to down at a short price. - Steve Grabowski

Race 9

King of Broadway

The light finally went on; maybe he just needed the inner all along; note the show horse was clear for fun; there should be a hot enough pace to help him with the sprinters going long and he has a right to have a decent career as kin to Grade 2 placed near $200K earner Character Builder; Mott can keep them going good once they get good to the tune of 31%.

Start Jumping

Gelding has been consistent, he's proven on the inner and he had a rough trip in last; like magic, place horse Jan. 5 Abra cashed next out in an N1X with an 88 Beyer; hustling rider Rice takes reins and the pilot has had good success for this stable; slight improvement and this guy will be in the mix.

Cast a Doubt

Gelding was in some very good barns out West; Valente has had good success over the years bringing in horses from California and this guy's dam did win routing; 8 for 15 in the exacta, he has a penchant for finding the wire; can't fault those that go for the 4 in a row play.

Tizmas

He basically flattered Ian with the win last time; place horse 2 back cashed next out in an N1X with an 83 Beyer; he's been in the exacta in 9 of 25, comes here relatively fresh for a good barn; decent blowout last Monday was solid; repeat well within the scope.

Mighty Ian

Toss the inner strip debut as he could not stand up in the off going; bet like a good thing in Philly and the fans were on the money; 4th finisher in that race took a $16K N3L next out and the 7th finisher took a $16K starter; the one to beat.

Beeliner

Been a long time between drinks; he's had a tendency to lose ground when the real racing begins; apparently not much of a work horse; hard to adore.

Idle American

Can't be happy with the local slate; he's 0 for 4 at this trip and although Lopez rides this strip well, he seems better with horses with tactical speed; that is not evident today.

Risk Management

This is her venue; nice rider in last as pilot opened up and had enough gas left in the tank; place horse in last cashed next out in a $20K N2L fray with a 72 Beyer; probably needs to improve to repeat. - Brian Mulligan