Aqueduct: Closer Looks for March 17, 2014

Race 1

Alice and Trixie

Gets back in with sophomores while moving to the fence for the stretchout off a career best Beyer effort sprinting 10 days ago; filly should have some more to offer early in this one and her dam was a 3 time route winner but her other foals to race were a combined 0 for 20 going long so don't know that this one is going to improve so much second time routing; still, none of these has run close to as fast as she did last time and the top could well be hers from the bell; one to catch and beat.

Warning Trackpower

Steps up and stretches out for her return from the brief freshening after overcoming trouble to get second money sprinting in her second career spin; filly drew the fence in each of her first 2 starts and she will get a top pilot for the initial route attempt; she is kin to a couple of route winners including G3 SP, 181K earner and 4 time route winner Powhatan County so maybe the added trip does move her up; worth a look.

Fire Ship

Statebred drops in to face claimers in this open company heat after another weak effort going long over this trip; pilot aboard 2 back will take the reins here and maybe that helps get this gal going; doesn't face all that much and the class relief should help her threaten.

Gallant Lady

Gets back in with her own sex after trying the boys without much luck a couple of weeks back; filly wasn't bad behind a runaway winner 2 back but she'll get yet another new pilot for this one and will need to step things up to contend for the big prize; have to limit her use to underneath in exotics.

Wild Faith

Tries a better bunch on the stretchout after running on too late in her slow starting sprint debut; barn boasts some recent luck with runners tackling added ground and her immediate male pedigree influences suggest that she's going to improve with distance.

William'sluckygray

Drops out of the MSW ranks in which she didn't show all that much in 2 starts; barn doesn't do so well with non-winners dropping in for a tag but this gal is another whose pedigree suggests she deserves another shot going long, especially at this reduced level; dam dropped a route winner; contender. - Steve Grabowski

Race 2

Hoppy Do

Projects for the type of trip he received in the 2-back win closing from far back and gets a strong pace flow to rally into with Taxplayer, Desert Don Juan and Star of Sarava signed on here; today marks his heaviest weight assignment since Feb. 2012, a 6th-place finish; his 3-back 1-Mile loss looks better since the runner-up finisher posted a 74 Beyer speed figure in his next-out AQU-25K-claiming win.

Taxplayer

Exiting sprints figures to be a pace presence here; last time sent long was a more than 18-length FL loss and the 4-0-0-0 Inner Dirt record does not inspire confidence; has never won anywhere but FL and never past 6F; know him early but unsure about late.

Awake At T Wire

Overmatched 1st off the claim; was defeated by the winner who repeated in an AQU allowance with a 85 Beyer; deep closer gets a good pace flow to rally into for this and fits here finishing 2nd best to Holy Invder 2-back and beat Hoppy Do 3-back.

Real Estate

Finished 8th beaten more than 24 lengths March, 2013, on GP dirt the last time sent one mile in a 25K claimer; won a 2008-BEL 8.5F alw. on dirt; in races at 1 Mile or longer during career is 1-for-3; his 105 field-best Beyer speed figure was posted 2008 in a SUF-6F dirt-100K stakes win; 10-year-old exits a best-last-race Beyer 10 days ago; today marks his 3rd start in 16 days.

Desert Don Juan

He is one of those horses that has not been able to find the correct level off a non-winners of 3 claiming score (0-for-7 since); his last win was on the lead and figures as a pace presence here for part but how long can he last coming off the 97-day layoff in his 1st-AQU Inner Dirt start?

Classic R and B

Exits his best Beyer since January, 2013, that event was also on AQU's Inner Dirt but at 6F; the winner from last Beyered 85 in a next-out AQU-20K-claiming win; hopes to move forward and not bounce after producing a big number right off the 67-day absence.

Holy Invader

Positive 7-pound weight swing off the 2-length deficit to make up on Classic R and B when troubled; main concern is if off recent form he can get up in time to win it all at 1 Mile but that GP-October career-best Beyer at the distance shoud be enough evidence that he is a major force vs. this kind.

Star of Sarava

All-or-nothing recent form sandwiching 2 wins with 2 last-place finishes; reunites with the 2-back win rider but has to deal with Tayplayer and Desert Don Juan from the gate then hold off the closers; view as a major pace presence who hopes to outduel the field. - Art Gropper

Race 4

Rosemarie

She faces a very tough task today despite the improved effort of 10 days ago; in all likelihood, she will be denied the lead by Magdalena Bay and be dissuaded; cannot be endorsed as an exacta candidate unless that key foe happens to scratch.

Magdalena Bay

Lost plenty of energy prior to the start of her last assignment as it took a long while to load her into the gate; got into a prolonged speed duel thereafter and lost the place in the last jump; can steal away against these but will be overbet again.

Rice and Beans

Hard to endorse as the mare has started only once since June and has shown little liking for the inner dirt surface; may be worth remembering when turf facing resumes as she did show decent speed over that surface 2 back; pass for now.

Miss Glory

Suffolk arrival will be overlooked in the wagering but can inherit a share especially if a multiple speed duel develops; she was a clear-cut second in that October getaway race and was a pacesetter against male opponents 2 back; trifecta inclusion suggested.

Capers N Wine

Turned in a sharp second a month ago when returning to the purchase price; California girl switches to one of the top percentage trainers on the grounds but may face pace pressure right out of the gate; gets a fine weight concession from the field and must be considered.

Wundahowigothere

Daughter of Big Brown makes her belated 2014 debut after twice failing at 7 furlongs; the quality of the workouts over the training track during the last shown has shown steady progression and the outer post can work in her favor if positioned just off battling pacesetters. - Jim Kachulis

Race 6

Dakota's Pick

Seven year old mare makes just her third career start in her return from 3 months on the shelf; she didn't have much to offer in either of those tries and the barn doesn't win too often; dam did drop 4 winners including 2 who won sprinting but all 8 of her scores came routing so maybe this gal will be better on the stretchout down the line; can't back her in here.

Eva Lil

She's a 28 time loser who enters this off one of he best tries yet; statebred doesn't look to catch a particularly tough bunch but several of these have run faster of late and she prefers to drop back early which could leave her with a lot to do in the lane; siding with others on the win end.

High Inflation

Makes her first start for a new barn while returning from the freshening; she'll drop back to this level after an ok try over the strip and she has run well here in the past; filly sheds a little bit of weight with the bug named and maybe the brief break served her well; she's had her chances but is one to consider in a weak gathering.

Rocks Anne

Took plenty of money in her first 2 starts but didn't do much running and now she'll go for a new barn that excels with this type; she worked well last weekend for this and the outfit boasts excellent numbers with runners turning back to sprint; she'll catch older for the first time in this spot but the field does really appear ripe for the taking; lightly raced filly could well be prominent from the bell against these and looms rather dangerous.

Simplie Sinister

Hasn't been close in 7 career starts and now she'll turn back to sprint off a series of route cracks at the level; 6 year old picks up weight while switching to a little known journeyman pilot here; she's been big prices in each of her outs and looms another long price today.

You Take the Cake

Drew outside last time and didn't have much of a shot from that wide spot after making a decent late run 2 back over the track; statebred has yet to hit the board on the inner and she'll face open company in this spot but she owns back numbers that fit well here; she's another that doesn't have much upside to her but she can't be overlooked.

Locks of Gold

Last out runner up at the level responded to the hood removal with an improved try on the turn back to sprint; she switches back to a pilot who knows her and she's capable of securing a spot up top in field without a lot of early foot; her better numbers have come on the green and she'll get off the fence for this one, but she may prove to be the one to beat.

Pari Nath

Tried older on Friday and sat within striking range of the pacesetters before tiring late in that one; filly gets a switch to a solid apprentice pilot for this but she has yet to run fast enough to step fast enough to go with the best some of these have to offer; can't back her if she goes. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Penthouse Party

The 63 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for her latest performance is the best last race figure in this field and like to see what she did in her two starts over the inner dirt prior to that; she's favorably drawn in post one and going to look for her to be involved in the running every step of the way.

Lumineuse

She seems to be more comfortable racing over turf than dirt and she also looks like she prefers distances shorter than today's 1 1/16m assignment; she might be involved in the running through the opening stages, but going to look for others to have more to offer through the lane.

Milkyyourway

Her better Beyer Speed Figures have been earned racing over turf and this is a mare with just a single victory after 18 starts, and she's winless in her last 13 starts going back through 2013; note that she's been beaten by a couple of today's rivals in her two most recent races.

Bebes Passion

She needed 27 starts to get to her first career win and she hasn't been able to get anything going in two starts against winners since then; she has the look of an outsider.

Glassy Aly

Her career best Beyer Speed Figure was earned racing over turf and she hasn't shown enough in her eight dirt starts to suggest that she can get the better of this field; she lacks early speed and it really doesn't look like the early pace in this event will heat up all that much.

Soul Opposition

She's been beaten by today's rival Milkyyourway in a couple of her recent starts, but maybe the time off can prove to be a key for her when seeing what she did the last time she was entered after a layoff; feel that she has at least mild appeal.

Vaid

She's been in pretty good form since being returned from a layoff back in October, and after earning a career best Beyer Speed Figure in a near-miss performance in her latest outing, she has a live look to her in this spot; Ortiz has won with 7 of 23 (30%) mounts for this barn in 2014. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Lady Liana

It took her awhile to figure it out but the drop proved the remedy last time as she does the Florida to Big Apple tango; winner two back took a $75K optional next out with a 87 Beyer; 1/12 place horse graduated in next, then was 2nd beaten 2 and a half in a $75K stakes; should sit a nice trip if she she get away quickly; may like it here.

Flaring

Woke up in the mud effort and built on it with the maiden breaker; 1/19 place horse graduated next out in a maiden $50K seller with a 60 Beyer; note she has been handled by a couple of today's rivals; needs very best.

Our Amazing Rose

Bet like she could not lose and she was awesome extending at will; she looked very comfortable wintering in Florida and nothing wrong with teh spin last Tuesday; looms the one to deny.

Bella the Bandit

One of 2 double winners in the field, she was dueled into submission in the only poor effort; clever ride last time as bug held just enough in reserve to hold it together; the concern is we really don't know how much it may have taken out of her.

Gem City Gal

She impressed her connections enough to try the stakes last summer and the cut back and drop worked to perfection in last; agile enough to overcome the bump in last; but note it took her about 6 weeks to record a published drill on 1/27.

Rock Me Mama

Once she got off grass, miss picked it up; clever winning long and she proved she can handle the off going last time; show horse in last took a $40K starter next out with a 60 Beyer; note top kin Lunar Surge was stakes placed and banked over $100K; would expect this one to have the stalking duties of the Servis runners; slight improvement and she will be a factor.

Killaday

Soph proved she could take the heat of a speed duel and note only stand the fire, but draw away late; note show horse in last was clear for fun; best of 21 :47.56 bullet work in the holster and the next best on the tab at that distance was Verbosity; respect.

Go West Marie

Troubled in her first two starts, she caught the freak in the stakes and is out to make amends for flop as chalk here; she is hooking a faster pace scenerio this time but she does fit the conditions to a T; far too sharp not to take seriously. - Brian Mulligan

Race 9

Metropolitan Storm

Exits a series of slow races where he failed to hit the board; has shown a bit of improved prompting ability but still have doubts, even at this low level, that he can make a major impact; pass until further notice.

Clearly Perfection

After a failed debut, he has upgraded since joining the statebred ranks; finally gets post position relief and should be more of a factor as a result; wheels back on fairly short notice and can sneak into the tri at a healthy price.

Jack's Lion

Away since the tail end of the Saratoga meet, this runner has shown no firepower at all; on the plus side of the ledger are some surprisingly quick workouts during the last few weeks; even with that plus factor, he remains very hard to recommend at this time.

King Gettigan

Captured the place 2 back despite trouble but that was an exceptionally slow group; tried open company thereafter and lost all chance at the start; might be able to rally in time for a slice and may benefit if the three runners to his right side engage in an immediate duel.

Wood On the Fire

Looks like the main speed but he might be tested by more than one rival to his outside flank before the turn for home; still remains the one to beat based on the last Beyer but will be far less appealing odds today; mixed signals.

Tell It to the Man

Continues to improve, pace-wise, and is worth some inclusion especially if one of the other front-running types happens to scratch; cutting back a sixteenth of a mile should also enhance his chances for an upset; a curious item.

Pegasus Tiger

Thrice beaten favorite can atone here and seems more than capable of turning the tables on Wood On the Fire if that key rival is challenged; he lost serious ground in his last encounter and must go on the attack at an earlier point today; worth follow-up if the price is much more enticing.

Bob and Jim

Draws widest again after being clearly trounced by this group recently; goes back to Franco who was aboard for that respectable showing 3 back and the latest breeze was decent; best lifetime effort by far was over the Belmont turf; perhaps wait until he returns to that venue. - Jim Kachulis