Aqueduct: Closer Looks for January 24, 2014

Race 1

Texas Town

He was all-out in the last run to capture the show in a very slow affair; ran well from rail position 3 starts back and perhaps the scheduled new equipment will get him into the race sooner; tough call.

Startripenterprise

Could be the right new face; his sire won a G3 stakes and 354K (progeny of Noonmark have won 3 of 15 debuts); the dam won 3 of 21 and 210K; there are no winning siblings to highlight; solid trainer/jockey combination a plus.

King Gettigan

Finished alongside Texas Town in their last encounter but was caught wide; his sire won 5 of 8 starts and 450K including multiple G2 scores; the dam lost her only attempt; winning siblings include 20K earner Furious Tempo.

Tell It to the Man

This gelding flashed improved speed in the last run before retreating as usual; the blinker addition might have been the catalyst but he still remains very suspect; cannot endorse until much more staying power is shown.

Clearly Perfection

Far back in his only attempt and he must avoid another slow getaway; his sire won multiple G1s and 4.91 million; the dam won 1 of 16 and 54K; winning siblings include 15K bankroller Malla; did improve in the latest half-mile breeze at Parx.

Kaepernick

One of several in this field who breaks slowly; his sire won the Kentucky Derby and 3.61 million overall; the dam won 2 of 8 attempts and 104K; among the winning siblings is 445K earner Starship Truffles.

Essence of a Hero

Must deal with the outermost post as he did in his maiden voyage 11 days ago; his sire won a G3 and 836K; the dam won 3 of 12 and 72K; there are no winning siblings to mention; should be a pace factor at the very least. - Jim Kachulis

Race 2

Fall Into Faith

Tough to be too enthused; after all, she was no factor vs. cheaper in her last 4 and now she's asked to step UP in price; did show a hint more speed last time but she still wasn't a factor in the lane; after going along so nicley last spring things turned south quickly and there's no much on paper to indicate the needed turnarond is at hand.

So Blessed

In good form last summer; was then gone a bit and her 3 return races to end 2013 weren't too hot, but in her defense, remember all 3 came vs. tougher than she faces today; and maybe after her good summer something happened, necessitating that layoff; good news is she likely doesn't have to get back to her best form to be a player here.

Haldane

Freshening and drop did the trick and she came back with a strong 2nd here Jan. 13; of course, that doesn't make those who made her the even-money favorite feel any better as while she ran well she still got beat; it came for $16K and Persaud saw fit to claim her; last indicates that she's back on track and so long as she doesn't regress she figures in the thick of it; won't get many chances better than this, though it's worth noting she hasn't won since 2012.

Lady Jarlyn

Difficult to recommend; came back after 7 months with 2 ugly races on the big track here in the fall; those came for half this tag and vs. N2L foes, too, so today, after another layoff, she's doubled in value and asked to face N3L foes so she's racing above her conditions; at least her 2 best races (lone win, lone 2nd) came on this track, though you have to go back to last Feb. to see them; could it be Persaud entered to make sure this race went for his other much more formidable runner, Haldane, hmmmm?

Garmentos Girl

Last 2 not so pretty but both came vs. tougher and that Jan. 16 run was also a route; back to sprinting today and both wins and her lone 2nd came playing this game; that and the drop may be key as just over 2 months ago she was good enough to win for $35K.

My Bella Beauty

Broke her maiden on this track last Feb. so that's a plus; last try here, Dec. 27, wasn't pretty at all, but remember that came vs. more expensive $35K foes; back down in price and you need only look to Dec. 5 to see a good race for this price on the big track when she pressed the issue from the start and ran 3rd; maybe today's drop is just what the Dr. ordered. - Michael Hammersly

Race 3

Golden Doc

This colt shows only a moderate work tab; his sire won a G1 stakes and 661K (offspring of Consolidator have won 16 out of 227 debuts); the dam won 4 of 36 and 118K; among the winning siblings is 146K earner Bush Creek Honey.

Brilliant Einstein

Legitimate excuses to that first defeat; his sire won multiple G1s and 2.94 million; the dam won 4 of 24 attempts and 119K; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate; wheels back very quickly for a trainer who has scored with longshots via that approach.

Holyicious

Scheduled to try blinkers for the first time after a game second while visiting this level for the first time; draws inside of Eltanin today, one of his main rivals; most recent breeze from the gate was fair.

Grace's Honor

Nothing doing first time out while 30 to 1; his sire won a G3 and 251K while the dam was without a victory in 11 attempts; there are no winning siblings to mention; exits the same recent affair as Brilliant Einstein.

Prince Raja

New face was sired by G1 victor Songandaprayer who banked 380 and whose progeny have won 61 out of 599 initial races; the dam involved was zero for 2; there are no winning siblings to mention; decent gate breeze on the morning of 1/10.

Heading to Boca

After a fine first run against claimers, he could not handle the major extension in distance thereafter; his sire won the G1 Hopeful and 239K; the dam scored in 2 of 8 appearances earning 72K; among the winning siblings is 83K earner Colonel Crossing.

Eltanin

Outfinished by Holyicious earlier this month when having to race wide; upgraded in the latest training track breeze and may be able to turn the tables; his sire and dam were unraced; winning siblings include 215K earner Catcominatcha.

Let's Discuss

Raced evenly in the last pair but could be better situated this afternoon if a softer early pace unfolds; should be able to secure a clean stalking journey from this outside slot; not out of the question by any means. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Indy Sea

Projects to work out an ideal trip saving ground while stalking 3 speed runners; owns his dirt win at 1 Mile on a muddy race track; doing the rain dance for this; he was screaming out for more distance in last when claimed from his 1st-ever Inner-Dirt start and gets it here; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 92 in his next-out GP-192K stakes win.

Barrister Jim

Projects to race on or near the lead with Chapman and Ruthless Alley; career-best Beyer was in his 2nd race for the newest trainer and 1st time racing on AQU Inner Dirt; can he outbreak the other speed here is the main issue noting his 2-back loss to Finn's Quest where he did not break as well.

Finn's Quest

Has good tactical speed but in latest he broke poorly from the gate; his 2-back near-miss finish was posted on a wet-track and is a career-best Beyer; reunites with a rider who finished 5th and 11th piloting him in turf; hopes the speed falls apart in deep sretch.

Chapman

Hoping he can stalk the speed like in his January, 2013, win over the track; his 3-back victory was on the lead representing a field-best Beyer when defeating the show finisher who Beyered 85 in his next-out AQU-optional-claiming win; has Barrister Jim and Ruthless Alley to battle with early while in latest he lost all chance breaking last finishing behind the runner-up finisher who Beyered 87 in his next-out AQU-starter alw. win; the 2-back winner repeated in a 100K stakes with a 94 Beyer when defeated by Anaphylaxis.

Santa Elf

Won without blinkers in his career debut and the hood will be removed for this; the April-show finish saw the runner-up finisher Beyer 91 in his next-out BEL-OPC win; the long layoff and mild worktab for this suggest we take a wait and see approach.

Anaphylaxis

The 12 minor awards with 3 wins in the Life box suggest he often races well in defeat; the winner from last Beyered 83 in his next-out AQU-allowance win; he defeated the 4th-place finisher from last who Beyered 91 in his next-out AQU-startrt alw. victory.

Ruthless Alley

Projects to race on or near the lead with Barrister Jim and Chapman; 51 days since stalking the speed to shock the world in latest snapping an 0-for-4 dirt-winless mark; the 3-back runner-up and show finishers Beyered 87-81 in next-out BEL-OPC and alw. wins. - Art Gropper

Race 6

Pillar of Strength

Vast improvement to the latest a.m. breeze; his sire won 1 of 6 starts and 75K (progeny of Stanislavsky have scored in 3 of 36 initial starts); the dam won 5 of 37 and 240K; among the winning siblings is 146K earner Landofopportunity.

American Creed

Jammed up between rivals in both of his last 2 assignments, he can easily work out a better trip today (his first attempt against claimers); maintains Franco who recently became a journeyman; looks like a legitimate contender.

Speed Read

Seems capable of being the main pacesetter today and is one of several in this puzzling field dropping from special weights; latest blowout was fairly good and he should be respected if front-runners have fared well on the card.

Executive Office

Adds blinkers after 2 solid seconds while favored; see the first runner in the field for same sire information; this gelding's dam won 1 of 14 and 50K; this is her only foal to make it to the races; must avoid a duel with the runner to his left.

Prophet's Cat

Lost all chance at the break in his debut last month; his sire won multiple G1s and 4.91 million; the mom won 6 of 64 starts and 146K; winning siblings include 72K earner Buddha's Way; pass until further notice.

Forged

Down in class today and did show improve early foot in the last run; might upgrade further moving outside today and should have the target pacesetters in his sights; his sire won a G2 and 662K; the dam won 107K; sib to G3 winner Comede, who notched 675K.

All Over Me

Retired early in his only effort when compromised by a wide post and racing path; his sire won 3.63 million including G1 success; the dam won 9 of 36 and 174K; sib to 89K earner Lenwood Teel; might fare better over a fast surface.

Campion Lane

Best effort was 2 back when rallying belatedly after a so-so start; exits a race which was above average in overall quality and now makes only his second attempt for a tag; runs back quickly and should offer betting value.

Fusaichi's Song

Very fine half-mile breeze turned in recently; his sire won the Kentucky Derby and 1.99 million overall (descendants of Fusaichi Pegasus have won 63 out of 586 debuts); the dam went 1 for 14 earning 26K; sib to 16K earner Asonforsaichi. - Jim Kachulis

Race 7

Crystal Market

These are the toughest claimers she has met; place horse in last cashed next out in the mud at FL, lost next pair, including a defeat in a $5K claimer last Saturday at LRL; she has to prove she can somewhere other than Finger Lakes; would be careful here.

Guyana Princess

Mare danced all the dances last year, just not very fast; 2 of her 3 wins have been on this strip and she likes this trip; there seems to be enough speed in here to help promote the kick; look for her late if at all.

Dixie Sparkle

Nice ride last time; Lopez coaxed her along and just had enough left; tough miss when she gets a lonely lead and she beat rivals for this price upstate; 12/7 winner repeated for this price, was a distant third in a $20K starter; looms astute claim.

Sus Annmaries Gold

Back to square one on the cut back; Ortiz got a clue as to what to expect now and miss is proven for the price; she has much more speed than she just flashed; protected last time, look out.

Start It Up

Two excuses last time; the company and the distance; a pop and stop 6th the last time for this price but miss can use more speed if in the mood here; look for rider to be aggressive from the sound of the bell.

Julesco

Hustling bug is sending, right?; far from disgraced for this price last summer, do hate to see them give up clear leads like she did 2 back; if it's Jacobson, it must be respected.

Little Miss Lupe

She has been facing much softer; 11/19 show horse won next out but only in a $4500 N3L spot; lean toward watching to how she adapts to this strip.

Gabrilicious

Proven locally, bothered at the break in last and never got rolling; mare is at least fit enough to drill since the last effort; barn continues to send out live stock daily; can't be dismissed.

Run a Dubb Dubb

She was inching toward the winner 2 back for this price; the place horse that day cashed next out in a $16K N3L spot with a 70 Beyer here 1/13; looking elsewhere for a key top horse. - Brian Mulligan

Race 8

Deceived

Garnered some black type in the Damon Runyon, although he was far behind the runaway winner after an awkward start; the 75 Beyer he got while breaking his maiden in a romp came over a muddy strip, so it might be a little deceiving; half-brother to stakes winners Naughty New Yorker and Pupil is in capable of hands and should be a factor.

Balderdash

Was beaten a pole after saving ground in the Damon Runyon, which his first non-turf try; nicely-bred son of Grand Slam should be more effective with a race on the inner track under his girth, but it's hard to make a serious case for him otherwise.

Mental Iceberg

Freud gelding experienced a three-wide journey when sixth at a big price in the G2 Jerome; has resurfaced in a much more realistic spot, and possesses the best Beyer in this contentious optional event; could get his trainer off the schneid with Arroyo back in the saddle.

Storm

Son of Artie Schiller ran to his turf breeding when he graduated here in November, in a maiden special over good ground which hasn't yielded a next-out winner (the runner-up came back to finish a distant second in the Damon Runyon); his dam has thrown two route winners on the main track from three starters; perhaps the one to fear most.

Mark My Way

Son of Noonmark is bred for the dirt, but he earned his diploma second-time out convincingly on the grass; the third horse from that maiden special (Pax in Terra) subsequently ran second to the promising Uncle Sigh, before graduating with a 69 Beyer; resides in a hot barn, which is 5 for 21 at the meet when using Velasquez.

Sandcat

Dark bay is going long for the first time off a fade job in a shorter sprint at this level; the average win distance of the sire's progeny is 6.4 furlongs, and this colt is the first foal from a sprinter who banked $77K; Jose Ortiz should be a good fit for him. - Ron Gierkink