Aqueduct: Closer Looks for January 2, 2014

Race 2

Even Shower

Steady breeze pattern for this newcomer whose sire won a G1 and 1.01 million (offspring of Stephen Got Even are approximately 11 percent winners first time out); the dam won 3 of 24 and 80K; this is her sole foal to start.

Gabriel's Flame

Drops in half following a series of ineffective performances at various distances; should be more of a presence at this reduced level and the training track drills last month were fair; can earn a share.

Johnny Star

Although dead last in his maiden voyage nearly 2 months ago, the race itself was key, way above average in quality; his sire won 2 of 18 and 97K while the mom won 3 of 15 and 61K; winning sibs include 31K earner Soup to Go;.

Cuckoo House

Might have been compromised by the wet-fast footing and wide path first time out of the box; his sire won the G2 Brooklyn and 1.11 million; the dam won 8 of 33 and 292K; this is her only foal to compete.

Eltanin

New face hails from the unraced Star Cat whose progeny thus far are zero for 4 as far as winning their first test; the dam did not race; among the winning siblings is 215K earner Catcominatcha.

Shanks for Nothin

Made 2 moves in the last showing and should be able to return some dividends for the new connections today; the gelding's sire won 4 of 16 and 562K; the dam went zero for 6; among the winning siblings is 251K earner Shankopotamus.

Xixixi

Twice failed as the public choice but against this caliber, he has a solid chance to finally atone; reverts to apprentice Franco and can be the pace controller this afternoon with an alert getaway.

Sweet Lover

Little chance in his first venture when caught on an extra-wide path; his sire was undefeated, a multiple G1 victor who captured 749K; the dam was zero for 3; this is her only foal to start; improvement expected.

Holyicious

Has flashed some decent early speed and can upgrade over a fast track; his sire is champion Holy Bull who netted 2.48 million; the dam won 2 of 4 and 58K; sib to 83K earner Always Mine; looks like a comfortable fit against this group. - Jim Kachulis

Race 3

Dee Dee's Comet

Figures to save every inch of ground here behind an Eyes of Midas-Quiet Sunshine-She's Stones Sis speed battle then make one run; saved her career-best Beyer speed figure for latest win in the mud; doing a rain dance for this; stalked the pace nicely when graduating over today's AQU-Inner Dirt surface 11 months ago; the 2-back winner repeated with a 78 Beyer taking an AQU-optional claimer next out; the 3-back runner-up Beyered 63 in her next-out OPC win.

Quiet Sunshine

Purchased off a career-worst performance however since 2013 the new trainer yields a solid-25% winners 1st-off-the-claim; the runner-up finisher from last posted a 58 Beyer taking an AQU-16K claimer next out; lone Inner DIrt win at 1M and 70 yards on the lead; view as a pace presence for part.

She's Stones Sis

Both wins at longer than today's 6F distance; she was primed for this at longer now has 6 weeks since her 1st off-the-board finish since April where the runner-up finisher Beyered 67 in a next-out AQU-OPC win; figures to sit just off Eyes of Midas-Quiet Sunshine from the gate then hopes to get 1st run on the closers; Mile graduate on today's Inner Dirt surface seeks to make amends.

Jitney

0-for-9 dirt runner's lone-main track exacta finish was in her only other race on AQU Inner Dirt to end 2012; her rallying runner-up finish at shorter on SAR turf in August represents a field-best Beyer; the show runner from last Beyered 84 in a next-out AQU-optional-claiming win.

Rakin' Gold

1st time ever she will wear blinkers a 1-for-25 angle for the trainer since 2013; the 4-0-0-0 dirt recored and latest fade over a wet track at long odds suggest she is an outsider vs this group; showed nothing in her December, 2012, last-place finish racing over today's surface.

Eyes of Midas

Looked like a completely different runner when blinkers were added for last and catching a wet track; Dee Dee's Comet handled her many times without blinkers as she hopes to turn the tables loose up top today; projects to race on or near the lead in a field lacking defined pace; Quiet Sunshine and She's Stones Sis are likely to press her from the gate for the front but she is the one to catch and beat. - Art Gropper

Race 4

Eva Lil

Statebred has had plenty of chances without any luck and now she'll move to the fence for the stretchout while tackling open company; she doesn't have any speed so doubt she'll be able to put the draw to her advantage and she'll get yet another new pilot; looms a big price.

Lil Tiffy

Runner up in her local debut draws inside again for the stretchout; she's got a right to be better second off the break and her dam was a route winner who dropped a couple of multiple route winners so that gal can move forward on the stretchout; looks as if they'll have her to beat from here.

See See See

Ran well for second money going long at this level last time and now she'll give it another shot; she's a 25 time loser and the barn doesn't win very often at all, but she catches a pretty weak field and if she's able to run back to her last should find herself in the thick of this heat; consider.

Signora Sofia

She's never hit the board in 16 career spins and her lone route spin on the Belmont lawn last year was pretty bad; 0 for 8 on the inner, it doesn't look as if she's going to have much of a say in the outcome today; passing on this longshot.

Isn'tshewonderfull

Tries open company while stretching out after earning an ok number in her main track finale; filly tries 2 turns on dirt for the first time here and don't know that she's going to love it, but the field isn't all that tough and she has shown that she's capable of passing runners so maybe she gets involved for a share.

Christys Temper

Five year old has seen positive Beyer territory just once on dirt and has been just a few runners home in 7 starts this year; mare's running lines are ugly and she's been sent to post at triple digits on the tote in each of her last 2 starts; looms a huge price once again on the stretchout.

Pegasus Beba

Hood goes on for this statebred's initial route spin after failing to impact sprinting here a couple of weeks back; dam dropped 3 multiple winners including 159K earner Pegasus Tommy D who won several turf routes so maybe the added ground helps move her up a bit.

Simplie Sinister

Tries the route again after a troubled run in which she finished well behind some of the gals she'll catch again in this spot; she's yet to earn a positive Beyer in 5 career spins and this outfit was winless all of last year; tough to make a case for this one.

Coralita

Showed solid early foot with the shades added in her return to dirt, but she paid the price for it late; filly takes a big drop here and couldn't find a much softer spot; though she's earned her better numbers on the green, she wasn't bad over a wet Belmont main track in the spring and the class relief could well do the trick; appears to be the main danger.

My Lucky Lieu

Drew the fence in her initial inner track spin and offered very little in that sprint heat; prior try over the main track wasn't bad and the barn boasts solid numbers on the stretchout, but now she'll move to the outside slot; maybe for a minor award.

Lady C Note

AE ran ok in her first inner track route spin a couple of weeks back but the gal who finished a few lengths in front of her in that one returns in this spot as well; maybe she moves forward second time over this strip and she does have just a handful of starts under her belt.

Lovely Athena

AE did little in her 2 starts including most recently at this level; statebred will get a big weight concession with the bug named if she gets to go and she is kin to a route winner but she's yet to beat a runner home.

Canela Rose

She's at the bottom of the AE list for the move in to face both open company and the route for the initial time; filly could be tighter with her sprint return over the inner behind her but this barn doesn't win a lot of races so we'd have to limit her use to underneath in exotics if she were to draw in. - Steve Grabowski

Race 6

First Ranger

Shows a modest work tab for the most part; his sire won multiple G1s and 4.91 million (offspring of Utopia have won 6 out of 131 debuts); the dam involved was unraced; among the winning siblings is 95K earner Saturday Appeal.

Executive Office

Drops off the September claim where he went to post as the favorite; his sire won 1 of 6 and 75K; the dam won 1 of 14 and 50K; this is her only foal to compete; average training track breezes since; difficult to interpret.

Where's Elliot

Showed some prompting speed from wide slots in both appearances; his sire twice won the G1 Cigar Mile and 3.26 million overall; the dam went 3 for 16 earning 103K; this is her only foal to make it to the races.

Campion Lane

Checked in a fair third in his only try at the claiming level; might have been compromised by the rail slot in that outing and draws outside the presumed pacesetters here; should be able to stay within range.

Let's Discuss

No match for Executive Office but that was almost 4 months ago; work tab has shown improvement during the vacation; his sire won 5 of 22 and 370K while the dam never raced; sib to 93K bankroller American Trilogy.

Copper Core

Failed to fire over a muddy track in his maiden voyage; his sire won a G2 and 1.13 million while the dam was unraced; among the winning siblings is 9K earner Gulf Time; may be better suited to this sprint setting.

Fictionalcharacter

Beginner hails from G2 victor Limehouse who amassed 1.11 million (his progeny have won 30 out of 220 initial starts); the dam won 2 of 11 and 69K; among the winning siblings is 102K earner Raffie's Choice.

Three for Me

Definite improvement to the latest a.m. move over the training track; his sire won 454K including G1 success; descendants of Frost Giant are 4 for 34 as far as winning their first test; the dam won 1 of 9 and 8K; winning sibs include 103K earner Right Direction.

Maybrys Challenge

Stays at the same level following the November purchase but the blinker addition can help today, especially since there is not a ton of known gate speed; dangerous possibility if able to open up an immediate daylight advantage.

Pete's Fleet

Yet to race over a fast track, he has shown only a modicum of ability thus far; today marks only his second attempt in the claiming ranks, however, and perhaps he can gain ideal stalking position here without much difficulty. - Jim Kachulis

Race 7

Special Action

Looked good wiring claimers in his local return over a track with some moisture in it and now he'll move to the fence for the class rise; gray looks to be the quickest of these early so he may again have the lead to himself and in his current form could well keep on going; one to catch.

Herbal Prospector

Barn's second, uncoupled runner in here stretches out after getting third money sprinting at the level in his first crack over the inner; gelding doesn't have much route experience and he's settled for quite a few minor awards at his preferred one turn trips; maybe for a share.

Folk Singer

He was offered for a tag in his local return and did ok to hold second money at a big price; 6 year old did set tepid splits in that one and will have to work harder if he wants the front end in this spot; siding with others on the win end.

Uncle Smokey

First part of the entry tries 2 turns while returning less than a week off a troubled 3 lengths defeat at the level; expect he'll be more involved early here and the barn hits at a solid clip off the quick return but don't know that this guy really wants to go this far; prefer to look elsewhere.

Fiona's Hero

Statebred steps up to a protected spot after getting within a length of the winner on the main track early last month; he'll tackle 2 turns for the initial time in this spot but he gives the indication he'll handle the trip and does have a right to move forward second off the break for a barn that's been all around the money here; consider.

Media Kid

Sixth time proved the charm for this guy as he moved forward enough to break his maiden on the stretchout in his second inner track spin; he'll try winners for the first time here so the waters do get deeper, but maybe he'll have more to offer in his second try going long on dirt and the price should be ok.

Warrior Up

Gelding had little to offer at a big price when moved to the level in his return to the inner a couple of weeks back; he hasn't been a serious threat since the first half of last year and don't know that this 2 turn trip brings out his best; can't back him in here.

Tizmas

Didn't have a say on the main track while making his first start off this barn's claim and now he'll try 2 turns in his initial crack over the inner; barn boasts nice numbers fresh and this guy did run ok at 2 turns out of town earlier in the year so maybe he's worth a look at a price at this level.

Force Multiplier

Other half of the Jacobson coupling tracked and scored while in against a cheaper set on the stretchout the day after Christmas; gelding will tackle better on the quick return so he'll need to again move forward and don't know how likely that is to happen; siding against the repeat.

Anaphylaxis

New York bred exits a big effort at the level in which he finished less than a length off the winner; outside draw is no bargain at this configuration and the pace will again have an impact on this off the pace type, but if he brings his 'A' game again he's the one they'll have to keep and eye on in the lane. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Sister City

This barn isn't likely going to stay quiet for long at this meeting and going to look for this miss to be ready to give a good account of herself against these in her inner-dirt debut while making her second start back from a layoff; note that she's gotten the job done in half of her eight starts.

Two Hearts in One

She was last seen earning a career best Beyer Speed Figure at Penn National but that level of performance hasn't been the norm for her and she can't afford to show up with anything less against these; she is making her first start for a high win percentage barn, but looking toward others regardless.

Kara's Match Point

This barn has been very live at this meeting and this filly looks like she's found a reasonable spot for her first start since mid-November; third place finisher from latest won next out here on 12/27 going 6f in a 98k stakes with an 88 Beyer; Ortiz has won with 25 of 88 (28%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Cape Cod Carol

Stakes placed mare has developed a nice level of consistency to her game and she's capable of producing a performance that is strong enough to make her a player in this spot; leaning toward others for the top prize, but she's clearly worthy of consideration underneath in the exotics.

Talent N Passion

She enters this race off of a sub par performance, but when seeing that she has been doing prior to her latest effort, she seems likely to bounce right back with a better showing; six-time winner knows how to get the job done and she's likely going to be looking to take it right at this field from the break.

Tiz Teresa

She's put together a number of solid performances sprinting over turf but it's tough to give this miss a favorable push in this spot based on what she's shown us in her two dirt attempts; respect the presence of Velasquez, but need this miss to prove that she can be at her best racing over dirt before backing.

Madre Ditutticapi

Her most recent start can be viewed as being the sharpest of her career and the winner from that race returned to win next out here on 12/26 going 1m 70y vs. 35k OPC's with a 76 Beyer; at the very least, a spot underneath in the exotics is within reach. - Brian Pochman

Race 9

Ausable River

Yet to show much staying power although the latest blowout, a sudden improvement, can help him be a major pace player in this lackluster field; if the rail path has proven especially favorable today, he seems worth a flyer.

Space Hero

Nothing to highlight thus far although all of those defeats were against far better company; remains very difficult to recommend, however, even with the free-fall down the ladder; pass until further notice.

Cool It

Just missed the show in his latest test, first outing for a tag; bred for an off track, he can within striking range again today if catching similar footing; draws comfortably and has legitimate money chances.

King Gettigan

Dons blinkers after failing to recover from a slow break in his first run; his sire won multiple G1s and 450K while the dam lost her only attempt; among the winning siblings is 20K earner Furious Tempo.

Tell It to the Man

Thus far, he has flashed only brief speed but the equipment change can help him focus; seems to have improved in the a.m. with workout activity over this inner dirt surface; may show more endurance as a result.

Texas Town

Aimed too high in that turf debut in November; this if a realistic placement for clever connections; fair previous tries at Finger Lakes basically puts him on par with the logical contenders today; worth some follow up.

Little T. Louie

Bet down to 5 to 1 last month, he could not keep pace and faded from view; his sire won 1 of 12 and 44K while the dam went zero for 5; among the winning siblings is 367K earner Oediups O'Neal.

Valar Dohaeris

One of several members of this crew trying a blinker change today; he has shown no enthusiasm thus far; his sire won the G1 Carter and 480K while the dam was unraced; there are no winning siblings to mention.

Margin of Victory

Off the board in all 3 assignments although he exits a better race than most of todays opponents; should be able to grab an attending position once the gate opens and be able to launch a middle move; worth some use in your exotic wagering approach.

Island Therapy

Never fired in his first start while a big price on the board; see Little T. Louie above for same sire information; the dam went 13 for 64 earning 197K; this is her only foal to compete; generous odds assured.

Whirlin

The blinker addition did not help matters in that November comeback race; on the plus side of the ledger is the most recent training track breeze which shows marked improvement; still has much to work to do and must deal with problematic slot.

Television Too

Was nearer to the pace than Margin of Victory in their last encounter; his sire won a G2 and 1.43 million while the dam won 1 of 15 and 4K; sib to 23K earner Gray Lad; note the solid fractions in his debut, an added money event; consider.

Number Nine

The third son of Freud in this field (see Little T. Louie for stats) whose offspring have won 12 percent of their debuts; this colt's dam won 1 of 11 and 53K; winning siblings include 324K earner Take the Bluff.

Tactical Pal

Progeny of One Nice Cat, who won 4 of 28 and 163K, have scored in 5 of 71 initial races; the dam won 6 of 28 and 288K; among the winning siblings is 44K earner Artuya; average set of a.m. drills on view. - Jim Kachulis