Aqueduct: Closer Looks for March 13, 2014

Race 2

D J's Hope

Longtime maiden has had many chances, and has only cracked the top three once; the winner of his last race came back to disappoint in a starter allowance, but the third-place finisher subsequently graduated for $25K with a 63 Beyer; on the edges.

Ronnie's Whey

Another 4yo gelding by Hook and Ladder, he's returning on short rest off a lackluster performance in a six-furlong maiden special; O'Brien, who's had a solid meet, is 0 for 33 with droppers to maiden-claiming company over the past five years; others have more appeal.

Handy Stan

Stan used his tactical speed to place in all three of his excursions, and figures to take some catching; trainer is 1 for 5 first-time off the halter switch, but he's 0 for 3 at the meet when using second-leading rider Jose Ortiz; definitely the one to fear most.

Gotham Rising

Finished on the fringes behind Handy Stan in his improved second race, from which the third horse exited to crush $25K maidens; Lezcano retains the mount and is 1 for 5 at the meet for Morrison, who's done okay with shorter layoff types; consider for the bottom of intra-race wagers.

Horatio

This dropper from maiden special company failed to get the job done while placing in each of his three previous starts in the maiden-claiming ranks; he earned the highest Beyers in this field earlier in the winter, but has burned a ton of money along the way; trainer/rider combo is 0 for 16 at the meet; can round out the exacta behind Handy Stan.

Larrytheeducator

G2 router Read the Footnotes notched his debut at 2 and has sired 10% first-out winners; dam also won at first asking and she was a sprinter who banked $96K--this is her first foal to race; trainer is 0 for 7 with maiden-claiming first-timers during the last five years. - Ron Gierkink

Race 3

Fast 'n' Firm

Raced off the live rail while a non-threatening sixth behind several of these Jan. 25, when a miscue at the break didn't help her chances any; Montanez retains the mount and is 1 for 10 at the meet for trainer Ryerson, who hasn't had much success with shorter comebackers; outsider.

Brown Mellisa

Competes on short rest off a trailing fifth behind G1 winner Sweet Reason in a slow allowance/optional-claiming route; trainer hit with 10% of his turnbacks returning in seven days or less during the past five years ($3.23 ROI); anything close to her best should put her in the frame here.

Stage Name

Rode a golden rail on the lead to a third behind Longride to Wisdom Jan. 25, but was a well-beaten third going long in a starter against males Feb. 24; retains a hot Velasquez, who bagged a triple last Saturday; trainer is 1 for 5 with first-time blinkers over the last five year ($1.02 ROI); speed threat.

Appearance

Raced wide off the golden rail when a fading fifth Jan. 25, and then fared better traveling around two turns in another starter a week ago; leading trainer Jacobson possesses a high win percentage with 1-7 day comebackers, and when using the hot bug Rice; in the mix.

Zimbabwe Lady

Stretch runner had little chance in a slow-paced contest in her first start against winners Feb. 1; Nevin has put up excellent numbers first-time off the claim, and she's 8 for 27 at the meet when giving Jose Ortiz a leg up; could make some noise at a square price in this wide open event.

Longride to Wisdom

Rallied along a golden rail until mid-stretch when second Jan. 25; ran hot and cold in her two subsequent races, although a troubled break led to her downfall most recently; could have a say in the outcome under regular rider Garcia, who's 4 for 44 at this stand aboard Contessa charges. - Ron Gierkink

Race 4

That's No Limit

Heavenly Girl beat her out of the gate when they matched up February 22 and she figures to stalk that one here; claimed off a high-win percentage trainer which is not a good-win angle; back in just one week while racing on the price raise; she races with her lowest-weight assignment ever for this; view as a speedy contender for win honors.

Explosive Smile

Steps up in claiming price not only off a loss but a 15-length defeat where she showed zero early speed; the front wraps added for last pair produced the 2 lowest Beyer speed figures of her career; her only other 1-Mile test was a last-place finish when fading.

Under Scrutiny

Working steadily for a 10%-winning-fresh trainer; takes the MSW-to-maiden-claiming class drop the biggest reduction in racing; reunites with the 2-back rider winning 25% for the trainer at AQU while the jockey's only other time riding produced a new-Beyer-career Top; is the one to beat.

Miss Charlize

Has not raced past 5.5F yet; sire captured a million-dollar race at 10F on dirt; one of the dam's wins occurred at 1 Mile on dirt; comes off the bench today after defeating 2 runners combined; adds blinkers after 1st Lasix and front wraps for latest produced another zero Beyer.

Stormin Mary

Has not raced past 6F yet; sire won the Kentucky Derby; dam did not race past 7F; not easy to back off the 1 Beyer and fade at much shorter; the 2-back winner repeated in an AQU-optional claimer with a 68 speed figure; the trainer is 2-for-4 since 2013 with the sprint-to-route angle.

Shewreckstheplace

Has a lot to prove off her only race over the track a 66-length loss; her field-best Beyer was posted on the grass at today's 1-Mile distance; that huge-2012 Beyer effort on the green came with 3 weeks between races but today she's here with 101 days between starts and racing on dirt where she is 0-for-6 with 1 exactas finish; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Heavenly Girl

Projects as the pacesetter here with That's No Limit likely breathing down her neck; has not raced past 6F yet; sire was a Grade 2-stakes winner at 8.5F; is out of an unraced dam; the 2-back winner repeated to make it 2-for-2 in an AQU-optional claimer with a 73 Beyer; exits a best-last-race speed figure; try to catch the pick. - Art Gropper

Race 5

Inaflash

Tries the level again after proving little threat to the money finishers while running against the track profile at the trip last month; gray may be set to get back on track following that regression and she did run well to split a couple of these 2 back in her first off this barn's claim; she'll get another new pilot for this and may find a minor award her ceiling from here.

Vinda

Just missed the place while returning from the freshening in her first troubled start off this barn's claim; mare returns in a protected spot and a solid journeyman pilot returns for an outfit that is having an excellent meeting; maybe a clean run helps move her up some, but she's another who may be best used underneath in exotics.

Mess in a Dress

Just missed lasting in her first off the claim last time and was subsequently taken by an outfit which hasn't had any recent luck with this type; she has won twice over the inner and maybe she'll have some more to offer late on the turn back to this trip, but the field's highest last out Beyer earner rode the best part of the track from the outset last time and still couldn't get the job done; looking to beat her on the win end.

Absolute Paradise

Statebred was runner up against conditioned claimers at the trip last time and now she'll get off the fence and return quickly for a low percentage barn that's had a nice stand; switch to a bug will get her a weight break and she did win here 3 starts back, but she'll need to run a lot faster than she has of late to step with some of these.

Insolvent

Speedy gray had little to offer after making the lead on a strip that favored inside runners when stepped up to this level last time; filly brings speed to the table here and in a field without a lot of lick that alone makes her dangerous, but she was run down by a couple of these gals at a shorter trip after securing the top from the outset 2 back; maybe she's going the wrong way, but they'll probably have to run her down.

Haldane

Five year old just missed running down a better bunch at a shorter trip when making her first start off this outfit's claim last time; she does again return rather quickly and maybe she's being asked a lot to make her third start in just 3 weeks, but her winning effort over a wet local strip 2 back was excellent and she enters this in career best form; pilot opts to stay put on the one to beat.

My Donna Jean

Exits a solid score when dropped in company last week and the barn looks to strike while the iron is hot; mare has some solid tracking foot and maybe the move outside allows her to sit that type of trip in this spot; with a top pilot riding her back she can again have a big say in the outcome.

Matching Skies

She got off to a poor start from the inside draw last out but wasn't beaten all that much after riding the best part of the track all the way; mare ran well to score from a tracking spot 2 back and maybe the move out here helps her secure a similar trip; her rider opts elsewhere, but she can't be overlooked. - Steve Grabowski

Race 6

Porvoo

When seeing that her better races have been run over turf, and that she has a turf leaning pedigree, it's difficult to envision her getting the job done in this spot; note that she's winless in her last 15 starts going back through 2013.

Very Cherry Candy

The move to dirt two races ago looks like it agreed with this filly and this will only be her second start since moving into the Jacobson barn; Pompa-owned miss has some early speed and going to look for her to be involved in the running throughout.

Ascended Fever

She's another in here who looks like she's more comfortable racing over turf than dirt and it also looks like she prefers distances shorter than today's 1m 70y assignment; going to give the nod to others in this one.

Darnley Bay

She's stepping up in class after being claimed for 12.5k from her latest race but she's three for four racing over the inner dirt and she sports the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here; not going to argue with anyone who is looking favorably in this direction.

Prize Taker

In a race where it looks like the winner will earn a Beyer Speed Figure in the 70's, and perhaps even into the 80's, this filly sports a top figure of 65 after 13 starts; maybe taking blinkers off can help, but prefer to lean toward others.

Amulay

She was on top of her game when last seen and she's making her first start after a claim for connections that have had a good deal of success over the years shipping horses from Southern California to New York; Ortiz has won with 5 of 16 (31%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Glassy Aly

Her career best Beyer Speed Figure was earned racing over turf and she's going to need to produce a performance that is much stronger than anything she's shown in her eight starts over dirt in order to have a say in the outcome.

Rock Show

She wasn't able to keep up with one of today's key rivals in Darnley Bay in her latest start and she shows up for a barn that is seeking their first 1-2 finish at the meeting; her most recent race was one of her better efforts, but she must show more to get the job done in this spot. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Imagine Tomorrow

Mare has more speed than she just flashed; she also got a boost when the winner of last repeated in an N2X with a 74 Beyer; miss has rebounded in the past off a poor effort; don't ignore.

Start It Up

In kind of tough on the cut back when left with too much to do; she got away with the pedestrian splits 3 back and still could not take advantage; backers have to hope they go bonkers early and this miss finds a lane to rally into in time.

Spinit to Winit

Was given time to recoup from the maiden breaker and the return two back was solid; winner Jan. 4 repeated in a $50K starter with a 74 figure; note show horse in last was 4 clear; major player.

Little Miss Lupe

Backers that took 98-1 got to scream for nearly a half mile; then reality set in; all of her wins have come at Finger Lakes; she does handle any kind of going; still not seeing it.

Eurokay by Me

One for 35 is a tough number to bet into; 1/30 show horse cashed next out last Friday in a $12.5K N2L with a 53 Beyer; was losing ground when fourth in the last cut back situation; would tread lightly here.

White Crane

Hung wide in last pair, she has a style that is adaptable; she can track and get it done or come from left field; miss should have her sea legs under her by now; should be right there when the smoke clears.

Kilnockagain

Bothered early in last but this is her venue; not this rider was up for the last victory; could envision her sitting a nice stalk and rally trip and she has a right to grow into her skin as kin to over $250K earner Please Impress. - Brian Mulligan

Race 9

Di Lissa

The cards were stacked against her last time, her first route assignment, as she lost much ground on the clubhouse turn; her sire won 1 of 2 and 33K while the dam scored in 3 of 22 appearances earning 28K: among the winning siblings is 326K earner Malibu Artiste; playable.

Ready to Rule

Although the pace and final time of her 2-turn race were slow, she had a difficult journey that day; drops below the purchase price and should be able to make a late surge against this contingent; latest training track breeze was fair.

Conzig

Has earned many a check and is worth some use in trifecta consideration now with the return to the claiming realm; should be within range of the moderate early fractions that are projected but still is difficult to recommend as the one to key on top.

Noon Time Shower

History of bad racing luck to note for this lady who is in for a tag for the first time; makes her 2014 debut and this 40 grander comes up a bit light; draws a comfortable middle post (note trouble line in the race 2 back) and figures prominently with an alert break.

Miss Red Cloud

Following the mid-January claim, she was unable to handle the class hike to special weights; the win percentage of both trainer and jockey are too strong to overlook and the sophomore lass should give a better account of herself today.

Exclusive Dani

Perhaps the equipment change will help her focus following that display of brief early speed a month ago; her sire won 3 of 4 and 92K (all victories in dirt sprints); the dam was unraced; among the winning sibs is 131K earner Spielberg.

Night Time Slipper

Even effort last month while giant odds, a nice tune-up for this return to 6 furlongs; note 3 of her losses have been over wet-fast tracks where she showed no enthusiasm whatsoever; can show much more spirit over a dry surface.

Cajun Wedding

Only one blemish on the record where she lost to a blowout winner; faces weaker company and is another member of the field who can improve dramatically over a fast track; the sire, a pure router, won 9 of 14 and 725K; the dam was zero for 7; sib to 26K earner Zydeco Blues. - Jim Kachulis