Aqueduct: Closer Looks for January 11, 2014

Race 1

Uman Candy

Great sign that her 1st-dirt start was a win doing so over the track and gives every reason to believe she can move forward again for this; the 1st start with winners is always a tough assignment; seems like a filly on the improve and should work out a great saving ground rallying behind a hot pace; hard to leave out of the exotics mix.

Concealed

Projects to press the pace of Alwaysinmycircle noting that both of her wins came from off the pace but she's been sent to the lead 4 times in a row; has not won past 7F graduating at 6F on dirt and today is the longest assignment of career; know her early but unsure about late.

Porvoo

October, 2012, over a less-than-firm MED turf represents her maiden breaker on the lead; not a great sign that her 1st race off the claim was her lowest Beyer since June; has to deal with Alwaysinmycircle and Concealed from the gate then hold off the closers; the 2-back runner-up and show finishers Beyered 68-67 in next-out MED-$7,500-claiming and PRX-starter alw. wins.

Gendarmour

Doing the rain dance; her field-best Beyer was on a sloppy-race track; 55 days since passing a few in a key race; the winner and runner-up from last Beyered 78-69 in next-out AQU-optional-claiming wins; never been this far; G1 sire at 8.5F on dirt; dam did not compete past 7F; the 2-back winner is now 4-for-4 Beyering 92-86 in next-out 100K stakes wins; the 3-back winner repeated with an 83.

Physical Delivery

Willing to give her a pass off latest with more than a 6-month layoff and racing on a wet track for the 1st time; has never raced this far noting the graduation win over the track when itting just off the pace and hopes to work out that kind of trip here to turn the tables on Concealed.

Start It Up

Claimed off a high-win percentage trainer which is not a good-win angle; lone Mile race is a career-low Beyer while today races at her longest assignment ever; off the sprints figures to be close to a projected strong pace with Alwaysinmycircle which does not help her win chances.

Alwaysinmycircle

Try to catch me; she projects to race on or near the lead with Concealed; she won in front at today's distance on turf and made the top in recent-exacta finishes; has a slew of other frontrunners in hot pursuit which is the main concern but looms a dangerous pace presence throughout.

Rebellious Chic

The 0-for-10 dirt record and the 5-0-0-0 mark over the track are drawbacks; her lone win was on the lead but showed no gate speed in latest wet-track loss; more was expected from last noting her Beyer dirt Top on a less-than-fast track; view as a wide-pace presence in a field top heavy with other gate speed. - Art Gropper

Race 2

Mach Seven

Steps back up to the MSW level after flashing improved early interest in his first crack both off this outfit's claim and over the inner; gelding moves to the fence and should again offer speed while going second time in shades, but he figures to also face some company from some of the outside drawn rivals; he's on the improve from a figures standpoint but these may prove to be too much for him right now.

Frame

First part of the coupling adds blinkers for the stretchout and that should help him get more involved from the outset in just his second start since Saratoga; he returns just a couple of weeks off that initial inner track spin and the barn hits at a nice clip second off the break; dam's lone winner in the states earned all 5 of her wins sprinting; still, with a move forward he's one to consider.

Winter Games

Didn't have enough to offer late despite sitting a ground saving spot first time over the inner; gelding is kin to G2 SP, SW router and 133K earner Captivating Lass and he's only run a few times so he does have a right to improve, but he'll have an extra half panel to deal with today and he didn't threaten the last out runner up who returns here as well.

Master Jordan

Field's most experienced runner stretches back out to 2 turns following an off the board sprint try in his return to the MSW ranks; he's run ok going long over synthetic footing in the past so maybe the added ground helps, but he comes from an outfit that won just a couple of races all last year; have to side with others.

King of Broadway

Expected this Mott colt would have escaped the maiden ranks by now considering how well he ran second out at Saratoga last summer, defeating one of those he'll catch again today, but he's had some troubles; he enters this one a Beyer downswing, but he did have some trouble early last time and maybe the return to 2 turn racing will help perk him up as he sheds weight with the switch to a bug; main threat.

Bred to Boss

Hood experiment was a failure when moving to 2 turns in his inner track debut as he finished in a different zip code than some of the guys he'll face again in this spot; maybe the equipment change helps, but he'll have to move forward significantly to prove a threat for even a minor award today.

Brabbham

Darley's other half was a 1.2 million baby buy and the fact he's still a maiden is a concern but he exits a sharp local placing over one of today's foes in his first spin in blinkers; he'll be making just his second start since the summer here and the barn does hit at a nice clip with this type; outside draw could help him sit a tracking trip again if he lets the sprinter outside him go early and he's also proven he's quick enough to lead should the gates open and no one go; expect they'll have him to beat.

Distorted Dream

Gelding has had his share of chances and now he'll stretch out in his return to MSW company; he did get closer at the finish last time, but that sprint heat came back pretty light on the figure scale and he doesn't look to be anywhere near the animal he was towards the end of his sophomore campaign; his speed does figure to make him prominent from the bell, though, so they'll probably just send him and make the others run him down. - Steve Grabowski

Race 3

Superiority

Finally draws inside after a series of frustrating wide trips; has a decent in-the-money record over the inner dirt and the return to six furlongs should help his cause today; needs the appropriate early pace set-up.

Shoutout

Still eligible for the weak n2l condition, the gelding appears out of his element this afternoon; the third start off the bench angle seems meaningless and he is unlikely to be a major contender regardless of soil condition.

Market Blaster

Steadily improving, he can be a late presence today especially if receiving a clean trip for a change; earned a personal best Beyer in the latest showing but there will be scratches among the two couple entries in this race which will affect the flow.

Sunrise Lover

Another one-time winner who is facing much stronger here; may need a sloppy track to have any chance of earning a major share; cannot endorse for the top spot even if that is the case at post time.

Tummel

A runner with some back class who is making his first start under these silks; may not have liked the role of pacesetter in the last assignment and has been more potent in the past when rallying from close-up; playable against these.

Buddy Red

Quit early in his last assignment while huge odds; overall Beyers are lacking and his best performances have been around 2 turns; may have trouble turning back against this particular group.

Cast a Doubt

Looks like a very fine claim based on his sharp scores in California; most recent workout over the training track was solid and he should be on or near the lead without difficulty; spots valuable experience over this tricky surface to the entire field, however.

Sneaky Freud

Moved wide at the wrong moment last month as the soft middle fractions prevented him from inhaling the pacesetters; looked sharp in victory 2 back but that was against weaker stock; still believe this colt is on the upswing and should be respected. - Jim Kachulis

Race 4

Wraith

Needs a turn around after dull opener; sire was unbeaten in 4 routes; dam's lone win was a sprint; this is her first to race; would not be shocked if runner is forwardly spotted on the stretch out; needs to hurry.

Ready to Rule

Note show horse in bow was over 5 clear; sire was sprint only; dam won sprinting and on grass; 6 of 7 siblings won; one cashed 4 times routing and top kin banked nearly $250K; may need maiden claimers to shine.

U. S. S. O'Brien

Four clear, he towers over these in the Beyer department and he has the 2 races to draw from now; dam was 0 for 5; 2 of 3 siblings won; both were sprint only; one earned over $180K; all systems go.

Jcs American Dream

At least he got a feel of the inner strip; 1 of dam's 3 wins was a route; 3 of 4 sibs won including triple route winner and over $300K earner One Quiet Cat; would expect Lopez to be aggressive from the sound of the bell.

Island Candy

More experienced pilot now after she showed a little try in the opener; place horse in last graduated next out in a MSW with a 56 Beyer; sire could run all day long; dam was 0 for 5; lone half sis to race lost 9 times; must pick it up.

Truly Mizzed

Two regressions since promising debut; dam's lone win was a sprint; this is her first to race; capable barn due to get rolling; check out the 5 seconds this meet.

Fade to Black

Nice try in the stretch out move and runner should be able to build on the race; note he was 4 clear of the show horse; dam out of the money twice; this is her first to race; one angle to think about; this rider is 7 for 25 for this barn in the last year or so.

Candy Portena

Must find a way to turn the tables on the Chad Brown runner among others; dam 2nd in best result; this is her first to race; blinks really didn't help last time; must hustle. - Brian Mulligan

Race 6

Marketable Miss

Intrigued by the training track workout on the morning of 12/27; her sire won a G3 stakes and 354K (offspring of Noonmark have won 2 of 13 debuts); the dam was unraced; among the winning siblings is 114K earner Destiny's Song.

Marriedtomichael

Sired by Patriot Act who won 4 of 19 and 452K and whose descendants are 3 for 48 as far as winning their first test; the dam won 3 of 7 and 53K; sib to 120K bankroller Marriedtothemusic; ordinary work tab on view.

Saharan Serenade

Fairly even effort first time and she may not have cared for the wet-fast surface that day; her sire won 1.04 million while the dam was without victory in 5 attempts; this is her only foal to make it to the races.

Just Catty

New face was sired by 370K winner Catienus whose progeny have won 27 out of 421 initial starts; the dam won 6 of 39 attempts and 184K; among the winning siblings is 242K earner Saltamontes.

Rumble Doll

Her sire, a pure sprinter, won a G1 and 831K; offspring of Street Boss have done well first time out, winning at a rate of just over 20 percent; the mom won 3 of 23 and 190K; winning siblings include 10K earner Little Afleet.

See Me Sometime

Claimed out of her maiden voyage, she gets in very light this afternoon; her sire won 1 of 6 and 75K; the dam won 2 of 22 starts and 71K; there are no winning siblings to highlight; generous odds assured.

Happy Recap

Set a pressured pace before tiring in the last furlong recently; her sire won the Derby and 3.61 million; the dam scored in 2 of 6 appearances earning 49K; winning siblings include local performer Meese Rocks who captured 443K.

Make Your Point

Progeny of Not for Love, who won 6 of 29 starts and 178K, have scored in 98 out of 707 debuts; the dam won 2 of 15 and 57K; there are no winning siblings to highlight; modest training track regimen on display.

Bossy Boots

See Rumble Doll, above, for information about the same sire; this filly's dam never raced; this is her sole foal to make it to the starting gate; there is a long set of half-mile drills to consider.

Goldstandardlady

Adds Lasix after coming up empty first time out; her sire won multiple G3s and 662K while the dam scored in 5 of 20 starts earning a total of 120K; winning siblings include 147K earner Cardiac Rehab; latest blowout was fair.

Saratoga Shoes

She hails from Noonmark (see the first runner in this field for relevant stats); her dam was unraced; winning siblings include 361K earner Bwana Babe; shows an above average work tab during the last month; consider on that basis.

Very Accomplished

Steady improvement to the set of gate breezes; her sire won 2.05 million including score in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup (progeny of Borrego have won 5 out of 102 initial attempts); the dam won 2 of 8 and 97K; this is her only foal to start; worth a play despite the outpost.

Official

Her sire won at the G1 level while amassing 804K (offspring of Officer have won 55 out of 411 debuts); the dam won 4 of 14 and 83K; winning siblings include 82K earner Jersey Shore Girl; curious item with top-notch apprentice aboard. - Jim Kachulis

Race 7

My Honey Laurie

2010-one-Mile Inner Dirt winner beating $7,500 claimers; gets a pretty paceless event after winning on the lead in last and hopes to make the front over Another Page then hold off the closers; the 3-back winner repeated with a 66 Beyer speed figure taking a FL-allowance; her field-best Beyer was July, 2012, at 1M and 40 yards on FL dirt.

Score Boyera

Positive 8-pound weight swing off the neck loss to Go Olivia Go 3-back which was also the last time she was sent today's distance; super 4-2-2-0 Inner Dirt mark and her last win occurred at today's 1M and 70 yards; lone issue is she often races well in defeat with 15 minor awards during career; looms a logical contender for win honors.

Starship Elusive

Exits her best speed figure since May when badly overmatched facing stakes runners and gets a serious class drop for this; the show and 4th-place finishers from last Beyered 80 -79 in next-out CRC-OPC and GP-30K-claiming wins; always fond of the GP-to-New York angle; the pick.

Ezpz Lemon Squeeze

Positive 15-pound weight swing from the under 2-length loss vs. Go Olivia Go; positive 7-pound swing from Score Boyera also; has never won on dirt and looks like she wants to go longer than today's 8.3F distance; certainly fits well here.

Go Olivia Go

Win rider takes Another Page who easily handled her 3-back; have to go back to December, 2012, to see as heavy a weight assignement as 120 pounds postig her maiden breaker over a wet track at 1 MIle; ranked a notch below the top contenders.

Warmhearted Sandy

Passed a few runners too late while the 8-0-0-1 Inner Dirt line is not easy to take; would have thought the wet track would have been right up her alley after her last 2 wins occurred on wet tracks; the 3-back winner repeated in an FL-alw. with a 66 Beyer.

We'll Talk

Outfinished for the show money 1st time over the track vs. the runner-up finisher who Beyered 60 in her next-out AQU-$12,500-claiming win; have to respect the 3-for-4 fast track record but class in question never winning above a 5K tag price during career.

Another Page

Has not scored past 1 Mile which is the lone concern here; won a key race defeating the show and 5th-place finishers; they Beyered 63-57 in next-out AQU-16K-$12,500-claiming wins; projects to race on or near the lead; win rider seemingly had other options but remains here; the one to catch and beat.

Twillerbee

Last time over the track was a more than 20-length deficit on My Sparky; won 1st off the claim off a 94-day freshening and back in just 32 days for this; has a win over the track January, 2012, in a 6F-$12,500-maiden claimer; the 2-back runner-up Beyered 64 in her next-out FL alw. win; the 3-back victor Beyered 85 in a next-out SAR-OPC win.

My Sparky

1-for-5 since claimed off a career-best Beyer with last pair being way off best form the latest when showing back up with front wraps on; the show runner from last Beyered 86 in her next-out AQU-alw. win; beat the 3-back runner-up finisher a 69 Beyer next-out AQU-OPC winner.

Taylor Jagger

Negative 1-pound weight swing off the more than 3-length loss vs. Another Page breaking from a similar-wide post position; comes off a new Beyer Top when crushing lesser pounded down to 3-5 odds; win rider is listed on My Sparkly for this. - Art Gropper

Race 8

The Brothers Rap

Draws the fence for the slight cut back in his second start back from 11 months on the shelf; he has a right to move forward off the try, but he doesn't have any speed and that's not going to help him in a big field from this inside slot; have to side with others on the win end.

Wishingonastar

It's been a long time since he's seen the winner's circle and he hasn't hit the exacta in 4 spins over the local strip; fresh gelding goes for a low percentage barn and was going the wrong way prior to the time off; just watching him here.

Acigarisjustacigar

Took him 11 cracks and a weak field to break his maiden in his first start over the track a couple of weeks back and now he'll take on winners; while he's on the improve, he'll need to take a pretty big step forward to have a say in the outcome here; have to side against the repeat and look elsewhere for the winner.

Ambassador Bridge

He's been away nearly 3 months and now he'll return to a track over which he's winless in 5 career spins; 7 year old does pack a decent late punch when right and he's run ok fresh in the past, but a minor award figures to be his ceiling in this spot.

Marriedtothemusic

Four year old returns from the break to make his first start over the inner for a barn that excels with its fresh runners; he came into his own during the summer and earned numbers that would blow this bunch away if repeated; New Year's Day drill indicates he retains his form and he has fired off a break in the past; figures pretty tough to catch at a very short price.

Raglin River

Had some trouble but he didn't do much running thereafter in his return to dirt here last month; gelding has done his better running on the lawn and his 2 spins with winners don't suggest he fits too well in here; have to pass on this longshot.

Ed's Magic

Jumped up with a big one to break his maiden 2 back and equaled the number off this outfit's claim in his first crack with winners; gelding is quick enough to secure a tracking spot from the bell and he does have a right to move forward second time over the strip; main threat to the chalk.

Billy the Bull

Looked pretty good breaking his maiden here first out late last winter and did have the excuse of a tough outside starting slot when tiring from his pace efforts first time with winners; return drills aren't particularly quick, but he fired off works to begin his career here and a top local pilot does buy into him; don't overlook at an improved price.

Greeley Pack

Gelding hasn't done much in his 5 starts with winners and now he'll give the inner another crack at the level; runner up who crushed him last time returns in this spot as well and there's not much to suggest he'll be set to take the huge step forward needed to have a say here; longshot.

Money in Action

Speedy shipper tries statebreds in his local debut after just missing against cheap conditioned claimers in his Parx finale; expect he'll be mixing it up from the bell but he draws outside and there is other speed in here; don't think he'll be around at the finish.

Adjournment

Didn't have much to offer in his return to the inner track and finished well behind one of these a couple of weeks back; gelding doesn't see the winner's circle too often and he'll be stuck in the outside post here; looks to have his work cut out for him. - Steve Grabowski