Aqueduct: Closer Looks for March 2, 2014

Race 1

Volatile Markets

Draws the fence again after just missing over the track last month; gray gets a little extra ground to deal with here and he's certainly run faster since moving back to the inner track this season; with an honest pace in front of him likely he figures to be a serious threat in the lane; contender.

Awesome Heart

Statebred tries open company foes after again failing to factor going long over the track; he does get a weight break with the switch to a capable bug, but he's shown little early foot of late and hasn't been a threat in any of his starts with winners; have to pass on him today.

Beeliner

Drops after tiring while returning less than 2 full weeks off a career best Beyer effort over the track; gelding's maiden score did come here last year and maybe he's ready to bounce back with the regression behind him; expect he'll be hustled early with the switch to this solid journeyman pilot and maybe that helps get him going; consider.

Life's a Roar

Brings solid early foot to the table after tiring from his pace efforts to again finish third when stepped up in company; gray's maiden score came a long time ago and he's certainly had his stamina issues; should be involved from the bell but it's tough to have much faith he'll hold them all off.

Glich

Ships in from Maryland to make his local debut after a couple of solid tries for this price at Laurel; talented bug pilot comes with him for this and he has had some time to recover from the career best Beyer tops so maybe he'll take a step forward from close range today; new face is worth a look.

Lion Keen

Drops in company off a wide run in his first with winners off this barn's claim; a top pilot will get aboard this powerful maiden winner 2 starts back and expect this colt will be able to sit a tracking spot from the bell; giving him the nod to get back on track and beat them home today.

Eight Cents

Lightly raced maiden tackles winners on the stretchout after showing little against better at one turn off this barn's claim; this guy's lone sib was a turf route winner so maybe the added ground helps and he does have a right to move forward, but he looks to be in tough with these winners.

Muscles Marinara

Broke through to beat an overmatched bunch when shades were added for career start number 13 and now he'll take on winners; gelding goes from the fence to the outside slot while facing foes who have run several lengths faster of late; have to side against the repeat. - Steve Grabowski

Race 2

Gramma G G

29-point 2nd-time out Beyer speed figure improvement flashing gate speed which was missing in her unveiling loss; 1st time in with New York breds adds to the appeal as does the lightest-weight assignment of career; needed last start off the 57-day absence for a high-percentage trainer with runners 2nd time off the bench; view as a speedy contender for win honors.

She's a Sizzler

31 days since the 2nd exacta finish of career and best number since her unveiling for a high-percentage fresh trainer; has been unable to race back to the field-best Beyer speed figure posted in her SAR-career debut at today's distance; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 58 in a next-out AQU-35K-maiden-claiming win; stalks the speed here and is strictly the one to beat.

It's Easy

Career-best Beyer was posted at today's distance in the career debut while exiting a career-low speed figure; takes the MSW-to-maiden claiming biggest-class drop in racing angle a 26%-win angle for her trainer; 3 times a beaten-betting choice but latest looks better since the runner-up finisher graduated next out in an AQU-MSW event with a 59 Beyer; the pick.

Rumble Doll

High-percentage 2nd-start trainer adds to the appeal as she takes the MSW-to-maiden claiming drop; the workouts for this do not entice however gets IOrtiz who wins 29% at AQU for her trainer; owns wakeup angles but must show more.

Maybry's Fortune

Trounced by It's Easy in last; since claimed for this price tag in October is 4-0-0-1 with 3 double-digit length defeats but last is a career-low Beyer; the 2-back winner repeated to make it 2-for-2 in an AQU-optional claimer with a 68 speed figure; a tough call.

Peach Lake

It's Easy follows her here after beating one runner home; did not fare well in prior sprints as she cuts back 2.5F in distance after being outrun throughout; shows an improved worktab off the 6-week break but will be taking a wait and see approach.

Shangaloo

Projects to chase from the gate a runner who beat her 3-back Gramma G G then hopes to find the stamina missing from each loss; owns an improving-Beyer pattern and exits her 1st in-the-money finish ever; view as a pace presence for part. - Art Gropper

Race 3

Freddie G

Strange trip in last; he was close up early, was forced to alter course, kept to the task to get within a length of the lead, then just powered home; decent drill since, place horse was over 3 clear and he fits in the Beyer department; with the sprinters going long, there should be enough pace here to help the cause.

Storm

Game in the win and considering the layoff and the fact he hooked a freak, the return was not all that bad; he must find a way to turn the tables on Iceberg but he has a shot to have a decent career as kin took a stakes, earned nearly $185K taking 4 of 7; race over the surface can't hurt; don't ignore.

First Ranger

Don't be too harsh about last, it's never simple to beat winners right back and he was caught wide in the process; sire was a proven router, dam was unraced, half bro Saturday Appeal won twice, one was a route; would still tread lightly.

Pax in Terra

Colt will probably have the stalking duties of the Pletchers; left with too much to do in the debut, he hooked the daylight winner two back and that runner was beaten a length in the Withers and goes in the Gotham Saturday; monitor that result and adjust; the blood is there for this runner to thrive as kin to stakes placed near $350K player Great Gracie Dane; repeat within the scope.

Social Rebellion

He's had his chances in this league but has really not threatened; wraps added last time but that didn't work all that well; colt overcame bumping incident for the turf win and the last race came back okay as the 4th finisher took a $40K starter next out and the 5th finisher won at this level; has some things to iron out.

Mental Iceberg

Gelding showed sign of life of getting over the stakes races; he faced some good ones, note place horse in the Remsen took the Holy Bull since with a 95 Beyer; he has the 3 races to draw from now, drilled solidly since, should be right in the thick of it.

Sidearm

He may have a sidearm, but he hasn't fired since sprint debut; sire known as sprinter but took one route; dam and siblings were sprint only; like fact runners in the company line were clear in last; must at least be left in the exotic conversation. - Brian Mulligan

Race 4

Steve Came Thru

Adds blinkers after breaking alertly, dropping back and then rallying for a minor share in his latest run; equipment change may allow him to get into the race sooner and earn a share with a ground-saving journey.

Prince Raja

Very deceptive first attempt where he was compromised by an outside post and racing path; his sire won a G1 stakes and 380K while the dam went zero for 2; there are no winning siblings to mention; playable if odds are generous again.

Brilliant Einstein

Dull thus far and he has been clearly beaten by some of these same foes in the past; nothing special about the latest half-mile breeze; his sire won multiple G1s and 2.94 million; the dam won 4 of 42 and 119K; this is her only foal to start.

Gabriel's Flame

Made a strong middle move in his last assignment when trying this soft class for the first time (and losing to an encore winner); legitiimate trifecta threat today if receiving a much swifter pace; respect.

Cuckoo House

Chased the leader a long way in his only route attempt a month ago; the grey finished alongside Gabriel's Fame in the previous run and both the pace and final time of that event were ordinary; turned in an average half-mile breeze recently.

Coldwater Flat

Pressed a sharp pace in his maiden voyage at Gulfstream, a race where the half-mile fraction was strong for that day; his sire won the Kentucky Derby and 3.61 million; the dam won 1 of 8 and 55K; among the winning sibs is 99K earner Red Release.

Grace's Honor

Went to post at 30-1 in his first attempt and was eased up; there is only light workout activity on view since; the colt's sire won a G3 and 251K; the dam went zero for 11; there are no winning siblings to mention; pass until further notice.

King Gettigan

Game to barely capture the place last time out and now switches to a red-hot apprentice; should be able to stay within range against this suspect field and be a late force; dangerous if avoiding an extra-wide rallying path.

Tactical Pal

Similar to most of this crew in that is he is thus far only a modest rallier; exits a slow affair where the pedestrian early fractions prevented him from a better finish; has to get motivated at an early point in the running.

Shylock

Squeezed out of contention in the last run but the noteworthy aspect is the fact that he was pounded down to 2 to 1 that day; there is not much early speed in this event so this outside post may not matter; remains a puzzling item. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Moments Notiz

Undefeated for this barn on fast tracks but likely to get an off track here; he Is 4-for-5 during career and has won his last 4 starts from post-position 1; he is 4-for-6 since the barn change in November but exits his lowest Beyer speed figure among that group when odds-on, wide and dull; posted a field-best Beyer in his 1st start for this barn; 13 days away to regroup and gets in with his lightest-weight assignment since December.

Tummel

Newfound gate speed all on the lead in 3 of last 5 races where in his other 26 starts he raced from off the pace; figures for an ideal trip sitting just off Perfect Trippi; game 2nd in his only other wet-dir start; have mixed reviews off the claim; was necked in the 1st try for the new barn with a career-best Beyer then faded over the track in last; last looks better since the runner-up finisher won next out in an AQU-starter alw. with a 90 speed figure; contender.

Bellamy

Gets his heaviest-weight assignment since November; has simply been terrific since the barn change and handles wet footing well; won 3 of 4 on track but was DQd from the 2-back effort where the delcared winner repeated in an AQU-optional claimer with a 96 Beyer; the one to beat.

Perfect Trippi

Has just been a different horse when he makes the lead and on wet tracks he gets both scenarios for this; all 3 wins on the frontend including latest and 6-3-1-1 when 1st at the 1st call during career; had an excuse vs Bellamy 2-back when dueled into defeat off an 80-day absence; gets the rematch at the latest-win distance; the pick.

Buddy Red

Exits his lowest Beyer since December 1st-time racing for this barn; an outsider here off the 5-straight outrun-at-long odds running lines; won on the lead going long at FL on a wet track but hasn't been close to the lead since his 1st start over the track; pass.

Doubledown Again

Receives a negative 7-pound weight swing off the length-and a half loss to Moments Notiz with mixed reviews on wet tracks; figures to sit back early then make one run; 1 of his 4 wins at 5F so can get up in time given the right trip; off recent form is ranked a notch below the top contenders.

In the Beat

Ran to those 51-1 odds in last when no match for Moments Notiz and gets a negative 3-pound weight swing off the far-back loss; 8-0-0-0 on wet tracks says it all; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 92 in a next-out AQU-100K stakes win; last win when stalking the pace but hasn't fired since claimed off the GP-March, 2013, victory.

Inaflash

FIlly faces the boys; she exits her worst finish ever on a wet-main track showing her best Beyer for this barn on a fast track; the front wraps came on for last pair with mixed reviews; another wide draw and wet oval makes her an outsider here although gets in with her lightwest-weight assignment ever. - Art Gropper

Race 6

Brass Pear

He's lost 13 times, most recently in a troubled run as the chalk in which he finished behind a couple of today's foes; inside draw should bring out his early foot and maybe that helps him on the slight stretchout here, but he's had his gate issues and has been quite vulnerable in the lane; price will be better today.

Ride a Cat

Lightly raced colt tries dirt for the first time in his return from better than 5 months on the shelf; his pedigree suggests that he'll handle dirt and he showed solid early foot in a drill over the strip early last month; worth a look for an outfit that boasts a winner from limited local starters.

Sir Maurice

Turns back to sprint after being beaten as the chalk a few weeks back; late running one turn try 2 back looked ok visually but he got a got clip in front of him in that one and the figure did come back light; he's hit the board in 3 of 4 over the inner and a minor award figures to be his ceiling in here.

Ronnie's Whey

Hood goes back on for the return to sprinting after failing to finish his initial route spin; gelding earned a solid number sprinting here on New Year's Day but he's since finished behind some of the guys he'll catch again in this spot; barn has had a nice stand thus far, but can only watch him in here.

Giulio Cesari

Goes second off the short break after just missing the place in his first crack over the inner; maybe he's better with that one behind him and he is lightly raced, but he goes for a low percentage outfit and has yet to run fast enough to threaten the bigger guys in here; will need to take a big step forward to have a say in the outcome.

Horatio

Gelding has burned plenty of money while settling for minor awards in 7 of his 9 career starts including all 3 over the inner track; his last 3 numbers are better than any of these have ever run, though, and he's run well fresh in the past; barn is winless here and he's again likely to take plenty of tote support, but they'll have him to beat.

Waterway

Makes his first start in 11 months after hitting the bench off a sharp placing at the level; barn does well with its returnees, but this colt's return worktab is short and spotty and he hasn't run well fresh in the past; maybe for a share, but he's likely better next time.

Midnight Missile

He finished fourth in each of his 3 starts and now he'll turn back to sprint; last out addition of the hood brought some early interest out in him and the barn does well when moving them back to a sprint trip; if he moves forward second time in blinkers maybe he gets in the mix for a minor award.

Shot to Win

Finished behind the big guy in here when trying the inner for the first time last out; he'll get a nice rider switch for this and he worked well here last week for his return from the freshening so maybe he's able to get more involved from the bell to put this outside tracking draw to good use. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Irish Sweepstakes

She took a shot in the stakes but didn't break great and that was that; winner of the debut won 3 times since including 2 stakes, the last with a 90 Beyer; she has the speed to atttempt to flee the rail but there is plenty of speed outside of her; would have liked to have seen some activity on the inner surface.

Kiss Cat

Must prove she can win on this circuit; she's been handled by a number of today's foes and has limited speed; miss has a chance to have a decent career as kin to the stakes placed near $250K earner Kiss and Fly; look for her late if at all.

Happy Recap

Took the big drop and was then rewarded with the perfect trip; she always flashed speed, and connections try to strike while the iron is hot coming back in 8 days; bug will be hoping to get another 3-hole trip; connections would love to see her mature like top kin Meese Rocks, an over $400K earner; probably needs to improve to repeat.

Possetivevibration

This is her distance, but she may have a hard time clearing like she did in the victory; she has come back to earth since beating the smallish field; apparently not much of a work horse; must pick it up.

Henry's Gal

No mistakes so far; Jacobson off the claim, what a novel idea; he's been making that successful move for years; just under a light hand ride in last and note show horse was a dozen clear; can't fault those that go all on on the hat trick.

Longride to Wisdom

Once she got away from MSW foes, the light went on; off a career Beyer and like the way she was inching toward the winner in last; note show horse 2 back was well clear, blowout on Wednesday should have her on her toes; far too sharp not to take seriously.

Front Cover Dream

Face it, the win was like a Dream; dead last with a 0 Beyer right before the 99-1 shocker; last race was her best since but she really didn't threaten the winner; there does seem to be plenty of speed in here to help promote the kick but she will need to invent a trip.

My Girl Madison

Wraps, a good surface, and she was coming away with gusto; pretty snappy drill 9 days ago suggests she is feeling pretty good about herself; trainer spotted them just fine last season and there is a near $100K earner in the family; interesting.

Margaret Ownzit

Guess Rodriquez knew what he was doing when he claimed this gal back; game in last and note place horse was over 3 clear; winner 11/21 clicked right back in a $50K optional; she was extended in last and we really don't know how much it may have taken out of her.

Bridget Moloney

These are her friends; connections took a leap into the stakes but she was only a brief threat when probably just overmatched; she has been agile enough to overcome a slow start and should give a very good account of herself here. - Brian Mulligan