Aqueduct: Closer Looks for February 8, 2014

Race 1

Exclusive Dani

Hard to do much running when caught extra-wide in a turf sprint; her sire won 3 of 4 starts and 97K while the dam never raced; among the winning siblings is 112K earner Spielburg; can improve with this surface and post position switch.

Brown Mellisa

Extremely tough beat 6 days ago when losing by an inch; the race itself was on the slow side yet she still warrants some follow-up today as this field may be equally as ordinary; trainer does win with longshots who return to the races on short notice.

See the Music

New face was sired by G2 victor Pollard's Vision who banked 1.43 million and whose offspring have won 10 percent of their debuts; the dam did not race and this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate; modest work tab on view.

Sals Wonderfulgirl

Down the tubes at 7 to 5 in her December getaway race when claimed; should be respected because of the new trainer; the filly's sire won 3 of 5 and 254K while the dam won 1 of 11 and 45K; among the winning sibs is 26K earner Magical Appeal.

Past as Prelude

Sent off at 1 to 2 at Charles Town, she stopped to a walk; steady Beyers previously make her a contender against this light contingent and this is her first attempt in the claiming ranks; can rebound but remains an iffy proposition.

Lucky Seven

Perhaps forgive that first run last year when losing all chance at the break; her sire won multiple G1s and 7.61 million while the dam won 5 of 48 and 161K; sib to 90K earner Rebel Raider; blinker addition should help the cause. - Jim Kachulis

Race 3

Prize Taker

Saves all the ground behind a hot pace then makes one run; she is 0-for-4 in races at 1 Mile or over during career; her career-best Beyer speed figure was at 6F on a wet-main track; the November runner-up finish looks better since the winner repeated in an AQU-optional claimer with a 68 Beyer.

She's Always Hot

Exits a career-low Beyer when racing off the 9-week absence in a claimer so seems to be shooting very high here; last route race was a more than 20-length loss 3-back vs. the winner who repeated in an AQU-OPC with an 85 speed figure; her lone win was accomplished at longer but on grass.

Ascended Fever

Field-best Beyer speed figure was posted at 7F on turf; 2 races during career at 1Mile or longer are 5th and 10th-place finishes; only dirt route test of career was February, 2013, racing on AQU Inner Dirt at 1 Mile finishing 5th-beaten 10 lengths in an optional claimer; the winner and runner-up finisher from last Beyered 83-73 in next-out AQU-OPC wins.

Start It Up

Claimed off an exacta finish from a high-win percentage trainer but not much form in 2 races for the newest trainer; she finished 6th and 7th during career in 2-Mile events so the added distance here is a big issue; graduated one year ago at 6F over the track.

Alwaysinmycircle

Projects to race on or near the lead with Newyork Conspiracy; the good news is her fast-main track starts are both exacta finishes so willing to dismiss latest wet-track fade posting her lowest Beyer since June; figures to take these a long way up top.

A Prettydixie

Exits the only start of career where she finished off the board on a fast-main track; exits her lowest Beyer since March when fading; projects to chase Alwaysinmycircle and Newyork Conspiracy to the front then hopes to find the missing stamina; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 81 in a next-out BEL allowance win.

Newyork Conspiracy

Projects to race on or near the lead with Alwaysinmycircle; exits a career-best Beyer when tiring vs. lesser; is shooting very high here; the 3-back winner repeated in a 16K claimer with a 65 speed figure; has won going long before beating the show runner in November who Beyered 46 in a next-out FL-$4,500-claiming win.

Glassy Aly

Late runner gets a good pace flow to rally into for this; is 2-for-4 since claimed in August showing versatility winning on both turf and dirt; great sign that her 1st start over today's oval was a victory; the 2-back show runner Beyered 65-63 in 2 next-out 16K-$12,500 claiming wins. - Art Gropper

Race 4

Go West Marie

Crushed $50K maidens five weeks ago, from which the second and seventh horses both exited to graduate, in $50K and $25K company respectively; Marie recently changed trainers again, and Donk is 0 for 21 with horses making their first start for him during the past five years; can see her earning some black type.

Skye Saratoga

Has had a break since ending up fourth in a restricted stakes for the second straight time Dec. 22, from which the winner exited to run second in an open stakes; trainer has decent numbers with turnbacks, and is 1 for 10 at the meet when using leading rider Irad Ortiz; others have more appeal.

Bridget Moloney

Unbeaten NY-bred has yet to crack 60 on the Beyer scale, and will have to take her game to another level if she's to make an impact in this her stakes debut; regular rider Lopez, who notched a stakes here last weekend, should have her forwardly placed; unlikely, but not impossible.

Sustainable

Matched the 68 Beyer that she earned when second at first asking while graduating in an open maiden special five weeks ago; half-sister to stakes winner Culotte resides in a powerful barn, and is eligible to make some noise with her tactical speed; could be the main threat to Gracer.

Gracer

Pa-bred is riding the wave of a two-race win streak in a pair of stakes out of town; the runner-up from her latest returned to land a $40K starter (55 Beyer), and the fourth horse came back to take an N1X/optional claimer (65 Beyer); she's a standout here in the Beyer department, and should prove tough to beat in her third start off the bench. - Ron Gierkink

Race 5

Winnitude

Failed to raise a hoof in either of his sprint starts and now he'll move to the fence for the stretchout for a low percentage barn that's profitable with the move; he worked well last week so it looks like he's taken to the new shades and the dam did drop a couple of multiple route winners so maybe the added trip helps.

Sugar Gold

Offered little in his 3 starts on this circuit last year and now he'll make his return to dirt; dam dropped 2 main track route winners so maybe this guy deserves a shot going long on dirt, but the low percentage outfit hasn't had much luck with this type and off what he's done thus far it's tough to make a case for him.

Police Camp

Barn's second runner in here offered little when stretched out and given shades in his second career start; colt did catch wet footing in each of his tries and his full brother is SW and 145K earner I'll Stake U whose 2 wins each came over a dry strip so maybe he warrants a shot over fast footing.

Fleet First

Newcomer has been breezing ok of late for his debut for a barn that boasts nice numbers right out of the box; sire gets 7% winners from his debut runners and the dam was a SP sprinter and 245K earner whose foals are a combined 0 for 14 on the track.

Born in Brooklyn

Makes his first start for a new outfit after doing little running as part of a well bet coupling in his debut here a couple of months back; gelding's lone sib is SP, 2 time route winner and 207K earner Dreaming of Cara; with the initial try behind him maybe he'll have more to offer on the stretchout to 2 turns today; price should be right.

Forever Utopia

Runner up in 4 straight was given a little extra time after proving little match for a subsequent G3 SW (94 Beyer) when in against stakes foes in his first crack over the inner track; he's back in with maidens here and he's quick enough to be involved from the outset for a barn that's going well at the local stand; one to beat.

Vagarious

Proved little match for a runaway winner who returned to hold second money in a G3 stake (92 Beyer) and a runner up who broke his maiden with a 69 Beyer last month; lightly raced colt does have a right to move forward for a barn that boasts solid numbers with its returnees from this type of break, but the dam's other foals are just 1 for 28 combined going long.

Scare City

Wasn't a threat late in either of his sprint starts and now he'll stretch out to 2 turns; he's been working well of late for this and the barn does solid work with runners tackling added ground, but this guy's female family is all sprint, led by SP, 9 time sprint winner and 262K earner Motor City Mama, so don't know that he's going to love this trip.

Horse With No Name

Didn't take much money while breaking from an outside draw first out and didn't get on track until too late; his dam was a limited route winner and his male pedigree influences certainly suggest today's added trip will be right up his alley; one to consider.

Tapitation

Ran into a pretty good one in his first out sprint try and now this 330K yearling buy will tackle a route of ground; he broke from a tough spot in that debut run and did seem to get an education from the effort; his dam was a G3 SW turf router and this outfit hits at a nice clip with its second out runners; figures to prove the main danger.

Sideways Vision

Enters this fresh for a barn that hits at a nice clip with this type; he's yet to try 2 turns but he has shown a little bit of ability and he does figure to sit within striking range of the pacesetters early today; price warrants him some exotics consideration.

My Friend Keith

Barn's second newcomer in here starts from the tough outside slot; he does lure a solid journeyman pilot and he's been breezing well of late for his unveiling; sire gets 12% winners from his first out runners and the unraced dam did drop a route winner.

Harbor King

AE hasn't been close to the winner in either of his inner track route tries; he'll start from another outside draw if he gets to go here and that won't make it easy for him to move forward; have to side with others on the win end if he meets the starter.

Say Nay Nay

AE never got out of the back of the pack while sprinting first out here a couple of weeks back; his sire was a G1 SW router but 2 of his 3 sibs have only won sprinting and he won't have it easy from out here; just watching if scratches allow him to go.

Alex El Guapo

He's mired on the AE list and not likely to make his local debut in this spot after failing to hit the board in 3 route spins at Parx; if he does find a way to go, the outside draw will put him in a tough spot from the outset as he looks to face statebreds for the initial time; tough to make a case for him in this one. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Tiffany

Miss comes to town after a couple of similar Philly adventures; she showed more energy in the drill on the 26th and she was bothered early in the last effort; show horse in last beat MSW foes next out and the winner repeated in an N1X spot; sire could run all day, dam was unraced; lone half sis lost 3 times; may like it here.

William'sluckygray

Soph seemed engaged for about a quarter of a mile; sire was a proven router, 5 for 17 dam earned nearly $50K; the half bro to win cashed routing once; may need softer to shine.

Risk Control

Giant's Causeway about 11% with firsters in an 655-horse sample; sire won juvenile debut by 7, carried speed, took a Group 1 at 2, was a turf monster; dam was 0 for 6; the sibling that won cashed sprinting once; she looks fit enough.

Sun and Moon

Beaten by clear winner in bow, almost overcame being bumped at the breaker, shifted course to be outside of the leaders coming to the 3 sixteenths pole and just real out of real estate; sire proved stamina taking Grade 1 Cigar Mile; stakes placed 3 for 22 dam earned over $150K, was sprint only; lone half bro Malibu High took 2 sprints, earned nearly $75K; the one to beat.

Rosedale Arch

A bit more keen to run early in last but she put on the brakes quickly; dam won almost $400K and carried speed long on grass; this is her first to race; needs a turn around.

Aqua Regia

Pinballed at the break in the opener before being hung wide; sire won multiple stakes routing; dam was unraced; all 6 siblings won; one was a double route winner in the minor leagues, none were special; should be right there.

Ka Buki Rose

Shades and hustling bug new to the equation; sire won a Grade 1 routing; 3 for 14 dam earned over $100K, took 2 routes; the half sis to wn Sunset Time took a route, earned over $100K; must pick it up.

Praise Be

Pulpit about 12% with debuters in a 625-runner sample; sire won debut by over 7, won 3 of next 4 including the Fountain of Youth and Blue Grass; dam's lone win was a route; all 5 siblings won; all were sprint only, one banked over $230K; drills solidly spaced.

Lift

At least she beat more than half the field home; dam was unraced; lone half sis lost 6 times; miss cost a ton, has to repay the $300K purchase price; expect better effort.

Hot Sirachi

The old Florida to Big A angle comes to play; miss showed talent early in her career, connections thought enough of her to try the stakes in November and the last race came back fine as the 4th finisher took a maiden $75K claimer and the winner repeated in a $75K optional; she has a right to have a decent career as kin to route winner and over $100K earner Voodoo Tales; look for her late if at all. - Brian Mulligan

Race 8

Eyes of Midas

Horse for the course is 3-for-3 in AQU-Inner Dirt exacta finishes; she should work a good trip saving ground stalking a ton of gate speed signed on here; would have to up her Beyer speed figures to a brand-new level to make it 3 in a row; doing the rain dance as her best Beyer was 2-back over a wet-main track.

Talent N Passion

8 straight races 1st at the 1st call no doubt what the strategy is but catches a field with some sharp sprinters so likely gets pressured from the bell; was no match for Superior Sarah when they matched up in December as the show finisher that day Beyered 86 in a next-out AQU-allowance win.

Resolute Babe

Good sign that her 1st race over the track was the maiden breaker but beat much-lesser maiden claimers on the lead; today catches a much-more accomplished group with a lot of other early zip signed on here which compromised her win hopes; finished 2nd best vs. the 2-back winner who repeated in a PRX-starter alw. with an 80 Beyer.

Make the Moment

Consistent Beyers on display with 4 straight starts posting a co-speed figure-career Top; her August-SAR win looks better since the runner-up and show finishers Beyered 80-69 in next-out BEL-OPC wins; another who needs a speed figure boost to make an impact here.

Madre Ditutticapi

The 0-for-7 record over today's oval is not easy to take coming off a her lowest Beyer since March; dull since the 3-back near-miss career-best speed figure; that race looks better since the winner repeated with a 76 Beyer then made it 3 in a row with an 80 speed figure taking an AQU-75K event.

Superior Sarah

51 days since a strong runner-up finish over today's oval even more impressive is she hasn't handled wet footing well during career but ran well in the key-race loss; the winner and 8th-place finishers from last Beyered 97-75 in next-out AQU-optional claiming and $12,500-claiming wins.

Darling Bridezilla

Another trying to avenge a recent loss vs. Superior Sarah as they both chased a 97 Beyer repeat winner; am willing to toss last pair on wet dirt; she has not fired as well on less-than-fast-main tracks; her last fast start was her 3-back win defeating the show finisher who Beyered 67 in a next-out AQU-OPC win.

Aliana

All 3 races are exacta finishes including 2 back when posting a field-best Beyer vs. the winner who repeated in an AQU-OPC with a 77 speed figure; plenty of upside here; beat the runner-up finisher from last who Beyered 83-74 in 2 next-out wins taking BHP-MSW and SA-alw. wins.

Pegasus Diamond

Won a key race with a career-best speed figure 29 days ago beating the 4th and 7th-place finishers; they Beyered 77-74 in next-out AQU-OPC wins; was 1-for-10 on AQU Inner Dirt prior to last; her best game is racing on or near the lead but has Talent N Passion among others expected to show gate speed.

Carameaway

Last win was at 1 Mile but in latest-stakes loss did not give the impression she wanted to go that far; her stakes-placed sprint 2-back is a career-best Beyer but was accomplished on a wet-main track; lone win over the track was at 2.3F longer than this; high-percentage route-to-sprint trainer adds to the appeal that a good race is on the way.

Hot Rendezvous

Late runner gets a great pace flow to rally into for this; she did not want any parts of 1 Mile in last the 1st time ever stretched out to that distance during career in last; she beat the 3-back runner-up finisher who Beyered 69 in a next-out AQU-OPC win; is another who posted her best speed figure on a wet-main track. - Art Gropper

Race 9

Doubledown Again

Tries a better bunch in his second inner track spin after getting second money off a troubled run first time here; there's a good amount of lick in this heat so he should get a solid setup and have every right to prove he's good enough to go at this level; price will be right.

Dr. Wesley

Proved little match for the runaway winner when bet to odds on for his first crack over the inner strip; he'll step back u to the level of his 2 back placing for this but could be set to take a step forward with the regression behind him; he's quick and draws inside the other speed in here so maybe that benefits him at this shorter trip, but he'll also have to work hard from the bell.

Hannibal Lecter

Failed to hit the board again in his third crack over the inner and will get a new pilot for another try at the level; gelding will get some speed in front of him here, but he's had his troubles in the lane since ascending to this level last summer; prefer others on the win end.

Retreive

Makes his first start with older while returning from 8 months on the shelf after failing to go on with some of last year's top sophomore sprinters on Belmont Stakes Day; speed is this colt's best game and he figures to bring it first time back, but there's other lick in here and this is the shortest trip he's tried; he does have ability, but expecting he'll be better next time.

Malachite

Held on to score while tackling winners for the first time on the main track off the 9 month break but the effort again sent him to the bench and his return at this level was not very good; barn does boast some recent luck second back from the break and this guy did break his maiden from tracking range at this time last winter; tough to just overlook that last one, but the price will be right to give him a look.

Notmyfirstime

Earned a solid number in beating conditioned claimers first time over the inner 6 weeks ago and now he'll tackle better; statebred has a decent tracking gear and he should be able to employ it on the slight cutback here; in his current form he's a repeat threat.

N. F.'s Destiny

Makes his first start since getting cooked through swift splits on the front end against some sharp rivals in the statebred stake at Saratoga; gelding came into his own over this strip last winter and he may prove to be the quickest of this bunch early but he hasn't won either time he entered a heat fresh and the barn doesn't do its best work first time back; still, expect he'll be gunned early.

Isthmus

Hasn't been a threat at the level since returning from the year plus break off this outfit's claim; 6 year old is quick enough to sit within striking range early, but there's not a lot to suggest he'll have enough to go on with them in the lane; have to pass on him here.

Hackleton

Steps back up to this level after getting his number put up as the chalk on the class dip last weekend; 5 year old will make his first start off this barn's claim here and they are profitable with this type; maybe the pace scenario fits his running style, but he's going to need to move forward to prove a serious threat today. - Steve Grabowski

Race 10

Lucky Nancy E.

Entered for this low price tag for the first time and she exits a race which was above average in quality; extension to six furlongs should help her money chances; worth some backing if inside runners have dominated the card.

Colleen's Angel

Thus far she has displayed only brief speed; unlikely to get a clear advantage today as long as Recovered remains in attendance; another major shortcoming: she has never attempted this common distance before.

Maybry's Fortune

Aimed too high in terms of class and distance in the latest run; if she can surpass the Beyer levels she achieved in previous sprint efforts, she should be able to hit the board against this group; consider.

Not a Word

New face hails from G1 type Offlee Wild who captured 976K and whose progeny have won 11 percent of their debuts; the dam won 1 of 2 attempts and 23K; among the winning siblings is 117K earner Candelabra.

Grandmabarbsgiant

She failed to fire in her maiden voyage (in the same quick affair as Lucky Nancy E.); this filly's sire won a G1 and 454K; the mom won 2 of 18 and 10K; among the winning siblings is 118K earner Holy Smoke Ya.

Recovered

Appeared home free in her third assignment only to falter in the final moments; she can atone here with a slowdown of the early fractions and is an obvious true contender; worth some backing but not at such a short price again.

Queen of Jazz

Beginner was sired by champion Holy Bull who amassed 2.48 million (his offspring have won 58 out of 812 initial starts); the dam won 4 of 28 and 112K; there are no winning siblings to mention; upgraded several levels in the latest half-mile drill.

Red Carpet Ready

Descendants of Repent, a multiple G2 winner who notched 1.25 million, are 21 for 333 as far as winning their first test; the dam won 3 of 12 and 37K; among the winning siblings is 79K earner Brooklyn Red.

Goldstandardlady

Consider the combination of plus factors here: the addition of blinkers and drop from special weights; her sire was a G2 type and 662K; the dam won 5 of 20 and 120K; winning siblings include 147K earner Cardiac Rehab.

Please No Emails

Like her pace foe Recovered, she showed an improved first gear last time out but tired right before the wire as the public choice; might be able to rate just off that key rival today and make first run; trainer/jockey team has gotten off to a flying start.

Shangaloo

Still learning the game as she appeared rank in the last run; her sire won 4 of 19 and 219K; the dam won 2 of 14 and 37K; among the winning siblings is 81K earner Regal Encounter; can be a pace presence at generous odds.

Pretty Nell

She raced evenly in last month's effort but will likely be compromised by this very wide slot; the other Contessa trainee appears to have a much stronger chance of victory today; wait until this filly draws more comfortably.

Zafiro Azul

Makes her first visit to the claiming realm and ran into a blowout winner in her last try; if she can escape the AE list, she may find herself closer to the lead than normal even from this dismal outpost; not out of the question in this puzzling contest. - Jim Kachulis