Aqueduct: Closer Looks for February 23, 2014

Race 1

Chief Schaghticoke

Sired by Utopia, a multiple G1 winner who banked 4.91 million (his progeny have scored in 6 out of 135 debuts); the dam was unraced and this her only foal to start; shows only a moderate work tab.

Forged

Outermost post probably restricted his chances last time out but he gets major class relief here and draws nicely; should be an immediate pace presence in lackluster field; obvious true contender but a short price awaits.

The Iron Furnace

Newcomer was sired by pure sprinter Friendly Island, who won a G2 and 1.36 million (his offspring have won 1 of 29 initial starts); the dam was without victory in 7 attempts; there are no winning siblings to highlight.

Television Too

Although he has some gate speed in his favor, he hasshown little in the endurance department and might be denied the lead once again; may need a key scratch here in order to finally earn an exacta finish.

Texas Town

Exits the same slow affair as the previous runner but was unaccustomed to the blinkers that day and failed to break alertly; can work out a better journey here especially drawing outside of some questionable pacesetters.

Tell It to the Man

Hard to endorse as he has constantly failed at huge odds; did show more early foot in the last assignment but that was due to the equipment change and very soft fractions; cannot endorse as a serious candidate here.

Nate and D D

Forgive that first run where he lost all chance at the start; his prolific sire won 1 of 12 and 44K while the dam won 2 of 16 and 30K; this is her only foal to make it to the races; can rebound with an alert getaway.

King Gettigan

Upgraded in the last run when right behind Texas Town despite an extra-wide journey; the colt's sire won multiple G2s and 450K while the dam lost her only attempt; among the winning siblings is 20K earner Furious Tempo. - Jim Kachulis

Race 2

Reserved Quality

Cuts back a half panel for the rise to this level for his first off the sharp outfit's claim after running away from conditioned claimers in her return to the inner strip; move to the fence doesn't benefit a late runner much and don't know the pace in front of him is going to be so hot, but this barn moves them up and the 5 year old should be running late.

Ask About Me

Spots this bunch plenty of experience while trying winners for the first time off a pretty slow maiden score; gelding hasn't run close to fast enough to step with any of these and looms an extremely long price today; have to pass on him.

Chapman

Just missed at the level last time, earning a number that stands out in here; slight cut back looks to be to his benefit and his speed should have him in the thick of this one from the bell; 2 time inner track winner draws inside and don't know that he's as quick as the outside starting shipper, so he likely ends up chasing that guy, but they'll have him to beat.

Joking

Bested limited winners by open lengths in his first off the claim by an outfit that's gotten off to a nice start at the stand; gelding will tackle a better bunch in this spot and don't know that he'll have much room to improve so he'd need to catch some breaks to factor for more than just a minor award.

Dighton

Gray has been on his best game since taken by this barn 2 starts back; he gave a solid account of himself when stepped up to the allowance level last time, besting a rival who returned to score here the other day; drop to this level makes sense and the way he's been going of late he doesn't figure to be too far out of this one early; contender.

Deadicated Deal

Fresh gelding makes his first start over the inner track while returning from the break for an outfit that doesn't do so well first time back; he earned a decent number while breaking his maiden at a longer trip upstate last summer, but neither f his 2 subsequent tries with winners was much; prefer others on the win end.

Mi Hijo

He's been solid of late and looked pretty good running away from limited winners last time; gelding should get an honest clip to run at in this spot and maybe the shorter trip helps to enhance his late kick; nice to see the hot bug take interest, but this guy will need to keep moving forward against this better bunch.

Tempered Threat

Outside drawn shipper gets off the fence for the first time since his debut score late last summer; gaps between his tries suggest he has his issues but he's also got plenty of early foot and he looks to be the quickest of these early; expect he'll appreciate the class relief after chasing a couple of next out winners in Florida last time and the shorter trip looks to benefit him as well; one to catch. - Steve Grabowski

Race 3

Miss Lauren Ann

May be ready to turn the corner; heading the right way and those last 2 outings, 2nds in each, show she likes this place, too; that being said, it's not as if she was a big threat in the lane (beaten 6 1/4 and 5 3/4 lengths, respectively); do have to like the improved speed and any more of a forward move puts her in the thick of things; that last 2nd looks better, too, when you note the gal who finished 2 1/4 lengths behind her in 3rd came right back to win.

Conzig

Tough to figure; has popped up with a few good efforts but for the most part those have been the exception and no the rule; and it's a tad worrisome that she seemed to run better Jan. 9 when 4th, beaten just 2 lengths....but hasn't been seen since; it was nearly a month until she worked again, too; at least isn't offered for a tag like last time but the very nature of that means today's likely a tougher spot.

Rosemarie

Well behind the rail gal in 2 of her last 3; does have speed and at least overall she does seem headed the right way; likely needs another big move forward to be a factor but that isn't out of reach and it's not as if she's facing any monsters here;

Sweet Potato

Flashed some turf talent earlier in her career but then came 3 turf duds last summer/fall; freshened, came here and tried dirt for the first time and responded very well to be a sharp 2nd (beaten just a head); sure, that came vs. $20K maiden claimers so she's well up in class today but the fact they feel good enough about her to now place her against tougher and where they can't lose her via a claim bodes well, and that big first dirt try hints she's ready for a throwdown.

Long Blooming Rose

3rd in her PRX debut Jan. 20, which wasn't a bad way to break into the game; even so, she wasn't really a threat at any point (beaten 10 lengths); must also deal with new surroudings today; at least there's no drop in for a tag and she worked very nicely at BEL Wednesday; all 4 sibs are winners including Neverrguwithrichie (12 wins, $152K).

How

Stalked the pace her debut on the big track here last April 7 and finished fairly one-paced to end up 5th; still, that wasn't a bad first run; what is disconcerting is that she hasn't been seen since; at least returns off some steady works for a trainer who's strong off the bench, and it's very nice she returns without a tag attached, too; all 4 sibs are winners including Capricious (3 wins, $87K, twice SP). - Michael Hammersly

Race 4

Tizarocket

Game in defeat last month when losing a blanket finish; blinkers go on for this, her first start for the new connections, and she leads off what appears to be a solid entry; legitimate exacta chances once again regardless of the track condition.

Alice and Trixie

Flashed much more prompting ability when stretching out for the first time; she lost significant ground in the early stages and this turnback can be an ideal fit; some fair half-mile breezes over the training track should help matters.

Exclusive Dani

Tries blinkers after stopping cold in her inner dirt debut; she may not have cared for the wet-fast footing that day; her sire won 3 of 4 races and 92K; the dam involved never competed; among the winning siblings is 117K earner Spielberg.

Angel Choir

New face was sired by the unraced Star Cat whose progeny thus far are zero for 6 as far as winning their first test; the dam scored in 5 of 22 appearances earning 152K; among the winning siblings is 173K earner Quail Hill.

Bossy Boots

After stumbling at the beginning of her maiden voyage, she passed some faders and gained decent ground; her sire won multiple G1s and 831K; the dam never raced and this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate.

Night Time Slipper

Off the board every time, yet she has shown some early speed and makes the drop from special weights; in her only try at this claiming level, she showed a fair amount of early zip before fading behind Tizarocket; generous odds are certain.

Hiddenite

Best breeze on the work tab is back on 1/25; her sire won the G1 Metropolitan and 612K in total (progeny of Divine Park have done well first time out: winning 10 of 47); the dam won 11 of 33 and 233K: winning sibs include 122K earner Annelle.

Sals Wonderfulgirl

Disappointed at odds-on earlier this month but was jammed up between rivals at point; returns to the 50 grand level but still will be a major pace factor and at the very least, set up her entrymate; respect.

D' Kennesaw Cat

Very intriguing lady on pace theory but unfortunately she draws widest; if you focus on the race 2 back, you'll notice she was chasing superior early fractions that day and then steadied out of contention; may try a dead send this afternoon. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Imagine Tomorrow

Like this progression; she opened the year closing ground, flashed solid speed next out, then made the lead quickly from the outside and just kept going; the inner strip is her thing, she draws the cozy slot here and like the way she came away late; respect.

Spritely Mambo

Not easy to win at first asking but she got a nice trip in the opener and powered home late; she found the waters against winners much steeper and had to recoup on the sidelines; there were gaps in the works coming into the last race and she never got untracked after bobbling; miss lost a little ground in last and has to hurry today.

Julesco

Miss brings plenty of speed to the party but she has had a tendency to get late; hate to see runners give up clear leads like she has done on occasion but she has won on the inner and she held on to complete the trifecta in last; another slice?

Little Miss Lupe

Maybe she just needed the last effort; she has a nice stalk and pounce style when she brings her A game and she proved in her 2013 closer that she can handle the off going; she has already repaid her $2K purchase price but will have to show she can ramble with this caliber foe at this time.

Run a Dubb Dubb

Proven locally, but she is far from a win machine; and it's been a long time between drinks; lack of speed can put her behind the 8 ball at times and apparently she is not that much of a work horse; still, she catches a pretty weak group and can't be dismissed.

Ascended Fever

Both of the wins have come on grass but miss has a decent turn of late foot; she was bothered early in her last race and never got untracked; she has trained forwardly for this including the best of 30 bullet on Tuesday; key off that October effort and she is a legit player today;

Agilion

Miss kept to her task after being bumped last time and she at least drilled since; she will need help up front but she brings some back class to the party, could have just needed last, is in good hands, and will be coming if she gets anything close to an honest pace.

Bebes Passion

Game in the win but it didn't take 17 times because she has a heart of gold; some like this kind of play figuring a runner has the confidence now to go on but that can be a slippery slope; she looks like the type that just gallops to keep in some semblance of shape; would be careful before banking on a repeat.

White Crane

Miss showed talent from Day One; she could have been a tad short coming into the last race off just 4 drills but like the fact she broke her maiden on the inner and she was 2nd best in last; trainer continues to fire on all cylinders; major threat. - Brian Mulligan

Race 6

Touching My Toes

Adds blinkers for the 1st time trying to find the missing stamina; not a good sign that she was defeated by similar rivals 1st time ever racing on AQU Inner Dirt; today's 115-pound assignment is the lightest of her career hoping to carry her gate speed to the wire but has Lady Luciano and La Dama de Hierro to fend off from the gate.

Make Your Point

Was screaming out for more yardage in her sprint debut and gets it here; has not raced past 5.5F yet; sire won 3 times in dirt routes including a 9.5F main-track allowance; dam did not win past 6.5F; she did not race past 7F during career; her only other foal to race is 5-0-0-0 and he did not race past 6F.

Jcs American Dream

Was also entered vs. the boys Saturday at 1 Mile on AQU Inner Dirt in a MSW race; off latest-show finish when necked for the exacta she fits much better at this grade; changed styles in latest when breaking last then rallying nicely to post a new Beyer-career Top; needs a pace meltdown to score and may get it if someone goes after Lady Luciano from the gate.

Shades of Indygo

57 days since her career-low Beyer which was not a good sign 1st time racing over today's oval; the 6%-winning fresh trainer since 2013 does not add to the appeal while the workout for this was subpar; the debut-show runner Beyered 57 in a next-out AQU-MSW win; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Fire Ship

Ranked a notch below the top contenders off 3 races where she's finished behind this kind; worked a 3F bullet for this hoping to show better-gate speed as in her 3 losses she lingered near the back of the field then rallied mildly; reunites with the debut rider who wins 23% for the trainer at AQU since 2013.

Lady Luciano

Projects to be a force from bell to finish here; 2nd-time Long is often an improvement angle; nearly overcame widest post 10 for latest; posted a field-best Beyer speed figure sprinting on a wet-main track 3 back chasing the winner who repeated to make it 2-for-2 in an AQU-optional claimer with a 68 Beyer; main issue is being hounded for the lead while 5 weeks away for a 7%-winning-fresh trainer since 2013.

Love Bird

Sire is 3-for-37 with 1st-time starters; he finished 3rd in his only dirt route in a Grade 3 stakes at 1 Mile; is out of a 2-for-17 dam (87K) who went 1-for-6 in dirt routes winning at 1 Mile; she produced 2 winners from 2 other full foals to race including 48K-earner Swinger (4-for-16) who graduated in start 4 his 1st dirt route at 1M and 70 yards; gives away experience to each runner.

La Dama de Hierro

Seems the one to catch if runs back to her 3-back fade the only time sent long; mixed reviews since blinkers were added as 2 back is a career-best Beyer; losing ground in deep stretch is the main issue hoping the new rider can help her last on the lead but would have to fend off Lady Luciano. - Art Gropper

Race 8

Hot Rendezvous

Moves back in with statebreds after running down open company sprinters on the turn back a couple of weeks back; filly likes the inner and she'll move to the fence for this, but she hasn't shown much early lick and if she's not aggressive from this starting spot she could find herself in a tough spot, having to pass most of them to contend; she did have trouble when finishing behind several of these 2 back at the trip; maybe for a minor share.

Hot Splash

That was some visually impressive score over a next out winner (67 Beyer) in her return to the inner; there are better, but she's on top of her game and she'll get the services of a hot bug who will get her a weight concession here; inside draw should also help her sit a nice trip while cutting back slightly; contender.

Miss Da Point

Filly's been idle since taking the stake here early last month and earning a career best number in the process; she returned to breeze well last week so expect she remains on her toes while in search of her fourth straight score; with some solid positional foot and the realization that she's actually better at 2 turn trips, she looms a dangerous foe.

Royal Suspicion

She's another who was in solid form before they sent her to the bench for a freshening; 5 year old just missed lasting against open company in her return to the inner last out and she's run well fresh in the past, but her knack for settling for minor awards has us limiting her use to underneath in exotics in this spot.

Sally's Dream

Five year old showed that surface didn't impact her when getting her nose down to score in her return to the inner track late last year before failing to finish her last one; she's had 5 full weeks to get over whatever was bothering her and the fact they put her in a protected spot first time back suggests they expect her to return running; barn's record with runners off this type of break are weak and the interim breezes aren't much, but this gal usually gives a good account of herself and can get in the mix again here.

Princess Mara

Three time inner track winner goes first time off te claim by a barn that has seen the winner's circle just once at the local stand; mare's front running effort 2 back was pretty solid and maybe they plan to send her from the bell in a heat that doesn't contain a lot of early lick; worth a look.

Dreaming of Cara

First part of the entry was beaten chalk when in against open allowance runners in her second start back from the freshening; she did encounter trouble when finishing behind some of these in the stakes try 2 back and maybe she's set for a move forward, but though she's scored over the inner in the past it's been quite a while since she's won a race.

Hot Stones

Four year old enters this fresh with a couple of bullet morning moves on her tab since tracking and running away from open company allowance runners first time going long over this strip; she's taken 3 of her last 4 and looks to have the tracking speed necessary to sit a trip off speed drawn inside her; spots them plenty of experience, but the barn my just have found what she really wants to do; can't be overlooked.

Vicki's Dancer

Sprinter tries a route of ground in her local return following a solid third place finish in the Laurel stakes try last month; she's clearly got some ability and class to her, but this 2 turn trip may just be longer than she really wants to go; have to look elsewhere for the winner.

What the Frost

Outside drawn filly cut back a panel for her return to statebred company after tiring in each of her cracks with open runners; tough starting spot at this trip and poor career slate over the inner have us looking elsewhere for the money finishers.

Lady Gracenote

AE enters this one fresh after getting beaten by one of these as the chalk when stretched back out; barn does well with its runners off this type of break, but she will start from a tough draw if she gets to meet the starter; maybe for a minor award.

Tahoe Tigress

AE is offered for the optional tag after being given some time off splitting a couple of these in her initial inner track try; mare knows how to win and she'll get a switch to a top pilot if she draws into this spot; if some pace develops in front of her she can have a big impact in the lane.

Carameaway

Barn's other half is mired on the AE list and not likely to return from the freshening in this spot; she was used in pace when run past by several of these in that last one and though she's been working well in the interim, don't think she'll be set to impact late in this spot. - Steve Grabowski