Aqueduct: Closer Looks for March 20, 2014

Race 1

Coolusive

Favored vs. tougher at GP Feb. 2 but was no factor at any point; in his defense, not only was he facing tougher but it was his first start in 6 months; now comes a big, big drop and while it's first time here he's run well on GP dirt, AQU (big track) dirt, BEL dirt, MTH dirt and PRX dirt so odds are he'll handle this place.

Readthesmokesignal

2 big wins on this track over a year ago, one sprinting and one routing, so you know he handles this place; trouble is, then he set the pace and faded to 5th as the even-money favorite here on March 16, 2013...and he hasn't been seen since; resurfaces with some steady works for a trainer who can fire off the bench, but that is a long layoff and the fact they're now willing to lose him for less than what they paid for him 14 months ago is worrisome, too.

Mi Hijo

Smart win over $20K N2L foes here Jan. 13; stepped up to face some nice starter allowance guys here Feb. 23 but got away slowly and was never involved; back in for a tag and that may be key, and note he remains at a level still above what they paid for him when they claimed him Dec. 5 ($16K).

Poliziano

Good 2nd in a route at this level here March 3 shows he fits class-wise; then tried tougher routing here March 14 and didn't run badly to be 4th; back to a better level and while he's been routing for the most part of late note a win at this trip, so he's no fish out of water at this shorter game.

Make a Fortune

No match for big winner Monster Mash when 2nd to that foe here March 3 but that run was still nice (79 Beyer), came at this level and was his first start in nearly 2 months so he can certainly improve; still, it's a tad disconcerting they paid $35K for him Jan. 12 and were willing to lose him for just $25K last time and remain that way today; even so, that last run makes him look pretty tough.

Demon's Deputy

5th at this level at this type of game here March 3, ending up well behind today's foe Make a Fortune (over 7 lengths); that was his first start since Dec. 22, however, so he's eligible to improve and note his only 2 wins came over this track; of course, those came over a year ago and he hasn't been too competitive since. - Michael Hammersly

Race 2

Lightning Ron

Ron woke up while taking a sharp drop to $12.5K following an extended layoff 10 days ago; the 10-pound bug Davis and this trainer combined to deadheat for a win with a 30-1 shot who rode a golden rail last Sunday; dam has thrown a route winner on the main track; maybe for a piece.

Bridgeville

Failed to finish when much more was expected in his second local outing, when he was scooped up by a trainer bearing a 19% strike-rate first-time off the claim in the past five years ($1.29 ROI); can rebound and be a speed threat over a track which was been inside-biased of late; preferred.

Golden Doc

Doc was beaten in double digits in both of his excursions against maiden special opposition; the drop to $35K is a step in the right direction, but is it enough? not thrilled about his chances.

Buddy's Smart

Comebacker got the dreaded Beyer donut after being beaten a pole when he tried a two-turn distance for the first time in a Dec. 20 maiden special; nicely-bred son of Smart Strike and G1-winning router Summer Colony is donning blinkers, and deserves another chance going long in this easier spot; Zayas finished second on his lone mount at the meet for Levine.

Tony D

Another dropper from maiden special company, Tony placed in back-to-back $50K claimers on the inner track earlier this winter; gets another rider change to the bug Mejias, and should have a say in the outcome; a must-use underneath in vertical wagers.

Eight Cents

His only two-turn excursion was arguably his worst performance, but it did come against winners; chestnut is moving up to the price for which he was claimed while retaining Maragh, who gave Village Warrior a fine ride to win last Sunday; figures to be no more than a minor player.

Talon's Papa

Second half of the entry got dusted when he debuted in a $40K sprint the other day; his young sire ran second in both the G1 Belmont and G1 Florida Derby; none of the unraced dam's three route starters on the main track were victorious; will be up against it if the rail is once again the place to be. - Ron Geirkink

Race 3

Buddy Red

Tough to be too enthused; best work came at FL and vs. lesser than he faces here; had a busy campaign so far this year but nothing to show for it (off board in 6 starts this year, all here); showed a bit more speed last time but still hit the brakes at 86-1.

Ballybrit

Looked super blasting maiden claimers here Jan. 12; then came back to duel and run 4th vs. $20K N2L foes here Feb. 23 and Jacobson saw fit to claim him; not only is he superb off the claim (25%) but there's a big bullet work since and Jacobson brings him back where he can't lose him via another claim.

Money Only

Some good work in 2013 (5 top-2 finishes in 10 starts); things haven't gone quite so well in 2014 as he has just 1 2nd in 3 starts; at least it came here and was just a month or so ago so it's not as if he's long removed from that good effort; Barbara brings him back without a tag attached and thsi guy did win over this track nearly a year ago.

Reserved Quality

Real nice win over $12,500 N3L foes here Jan. 12; was no threat in his next 2 but he didn't run badly at all; in fact, that 4th for $25K here March 9 was nice as he had a lousy start but ran on well to be beaten just 2 3/4 lengths; nice to see he's not offered for a tag today.

Tummel

Ample speed here; trouble is, you have to go back about a year to find his last win; did stay on smartly to be 2nd beaten just a neck in a race like this here Jan. 19 so he fits off his best day; trouble is, his next 2 outings saw a decline in form; at least there's no drop in for a tag and surely if he returns to his Jan. 19 performance level he'll be tough - but that's no small 'if', is it?

Superiority

Was knocking on the door much of the fall/winter but things have gone south a bit of late; after 4 straight 3rds came 2 decent 4ths in February but then a 6th and 7th here in March; reunited with Zayas who was up for 3 of those 3rds so maybe that can get this guy turned around...maybe.

Joking

Looked good whipping $35K N2L foes here Feb. 7 but was then a well-beaten 3rd in a tough starter allowance race here Feb. 23 (6 1/4 lengths); nice to see he again is not offered for a tag and this is a drop today, and the foes he faces here aren't as tough as the 2 guys he just chased. - Michael Hammersly

Race 6

All Luv Me

Fine breeze from the gate back on 2/23; her sire won the Kentucky Derby and 2.53 million overall (offspring of Giacomo have scored in 10 out of 147 debuts); the dam was unraced and this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate.

Riveressed

Three solid efforts thus far and she might have been best in the last run if not for the stumbling beginning; the winner of that one, Shea Darby, came back to Beyer a 70 when moving up to the allowance level; obvious true contender here but much less appealing odds.

Sweethots

Did not rebound from a slow break in her first attempt; her sire was a G1 router who captured 1.17 million; the dam won 2 of 13 and 93K; there are no winning siblings to mention; should improve with this surface switch.

Loomin' Lori Lou

Decent comeback race last month but unfortunately she ran into Once a Week who scored on the stretchout subsequently (the fourth-place finisher in that event came back to win also); steady training track breezes this month suggests she is a legit contender.

Sensual Nite

Bold finish 2 months ago to just miss (none of the entrants in that event finished in the money in their next start); her sire won a G3 and 344K while the dam was unraced; among the winning siblings is 58K earner Russian Ally; tough climb to special weights.

Biscotti Girl

Very curious filly from Philly turned in a fine blowout from the gate only 5 days ago; her sire is the outstanding Point Given who amassed 3.96 million; the dam won 4 of 13 and 140K; this is her only foal to compete; playable.

Regifting

Nothing doing in either start although she did lost much ground in the last effort; her sire won multiple G2s and 1.25 million; the dam won 2 of 22 and 28K; sib to 194K bankroller Red Liquor n Lace.

Contender's Queen

Pressed a soft pace in her last try before fading in the latter stages; did not lose by much to Loomin' Lori Lou in the race of 2/2 and perhaps can be a money player here at a fair price; a wet-fast track would likely help the cause.

Jazzminegem

Forgive the maiden voyage where she broke slowest of all; her sire won 2.28 million including G1 success while the dam won 4 of 22 and 164K: sib to G3 winner Notacatbutallama who notched 583K; worth some follow-up. - Jim Kachulis

Race 7

Prohibition

Snapped the 3-race winning streak in last but is still 3-for-6 on fast footing; his latest victory was at a half furlong shorter than today's event going gate-to-wire when he's been known as more of a stalker/closer type during career; being outfinished by Sinistra in latest when bet hard does not help the confidence level he can go this far to turn the tables.

Joe Mooch

Transformed into a deep closer which produced latest win with a light Beyer speed figure on display; Prohibition ran him off his feet 2 back which makes Sinistra look even better; seems in tough as he gives Prohibition 2 extra pounds for this off that more than 15-length loss.

Call for the Clock

The long layoff follows his 2nd-lowest Beyer speed figure ever in a key race; the 6th and 12th-place finishers from last Beyered 81-71 in next-out SAR-100K-stakes and 20K-claiming wins; the only time he raced off a layoff of 45 days or longer was a 2-back fade; good sign the win rider stays and gets the much-needed class relief off the stakes loss.

Five Freedoms

The 1-for-38 layoff record for the trainer leaps off the form at you to take a wait and see approach for a win bet but has not raced poorly off prior freshenings which gives hope he can land a share underneath; great sign that he outran his 30-1 odds in his 1st race over the track 54 days ago posting a career-best Beyer.

Go Get the Basil

Since his field-best Beyer performance when edged in September at Belmont his Beyers have tailed off most noticably on AQU Inner DIrt where he beat winners twice here earlier in career but both on wet-main tracks; he likely gets another fast oval for this; needs a wakeup call to see best form again.

The Brothers Rap

Deep closer needs a pace metldown to win it all but clearly if Sinistra burns out the other-gate speed then keeps on going it could help this one pick up some pieces late to earn a spot in the exotics; the winner from last repeated in an AQU-allowance with a 85 Beyer.

Sinistra

Has been a new runner since December's switch back to the Inner Dirt; exits a best-last-race Beyer coming off the tough beat in a stakes and tackles a lot easier today; seems to own the best gate speed in this event which is key because in 4 dirt routes Monday on AQU Inner Dirt we saw 2 winners gate-to-wire and the other 2 winners rallied from under 2.5 lengths back at the 1st call to win; try to catch the pick.

Seventy Six

Bounce candidate returning in 19 days following a new-career best Beyer which was posted off nearly 6 months away from the races; gets the weight off racing with his lightest assignment ever; late runner showed better tactical-gate speed in latest however the new rider is his 4th different jockey in as many races which is not a good-win angle. - Art Gropper

Race 8

Nuffsaid Nuffsaid

The red-hot Nevin barn has put up excellent numbers when using Jose Ortiz, who piloted this mare to victory in a recent $16K starter; she's versatile in terms of running style, and her rail draw should be a plus if the inside continues to be glib; contender.

Hot Stones

Ran hot and cold in her last few going long, for a trainer with poor recent stats with turnbacks; her sprint form is solid, and it includes a sharp (80 Beyer) optional-claiming score vs. state-breds at Belmont; trainer/rider combo is 2 for 8 at the meet; in the mix.

Sky Skier

Florida shipper is returning to action on fairly short rest off a subpar showing in a quick optional event at Gulfstream; half-sister to stakes winners Hot Heir Skier and Breathoffresheir possesses tactical speed and a live trainer/rider duo, which is 3 for 9 at the meet; contender.

The Royal Boot

Persaud is a respectable 17% with 1-7 day comebackers running first-time off the claim over the past five years ($5.86 ROI), but this filly was taken from leading trainer Jacobson; trainer/rider tandem is 2 for 18 at the meet; speed threat?

Love to Score

Gray/roan is dropping out of stakes company to a place where she can get back on the competitive track; she was stakes-placed twice earlier in her career, and her trainer has fared well with short-term layoff types; perhaps the one to fear most in this wide open contest.

Love Contract

Classy mare is bringing decent form to this event, but her recent Beyer numbers are on the light side; picks up a speed rider in CC Lopez, who should have her forwardly placed; the runner-up from her penultimate start came back to romp in a $100K stakes at Laurel (88 Beyer); possible for the bottom of exotics. - Ron Gierkink

Race 9

Consoles Gotta Go

Draws the fence for the stretchout after again showing little sprinting over the strip; gelding goes for a barn that does well with its runners tackling added real estate and his SP dam was a 7 time route winner who dropped 3 foals who won going long so maybe this is what he wants to do.

Uragano

Five year old hasn't had much luck in several cracks at the level and now he'll give it another shot; barn is winless at the stand and there's not much to suggest an improved effort is on tap for this one today; have to pass on this longshot.

Harry Consolidator

Makes start number 30 in this spot and he's yet to as much as hit the board; his return to routing was weak and this outfit doesn't win many races; tough to make any type of case for this big price today; siding with others for the money spots.

Shelby Dean

Looks to make his third start of the month while tackling older for the initial time in here; sophomore owns recent numbers that fit and he doesn't exactly catch a stellar bunch in his return to 2 turns over this strip so maybe they've found a reasonable spot; getting a weight break with a solid bug named, he's one to consider.

Perfect Dancing

He's another 3 year old tackling older for the first time while trying the inner track for just the second time; barn does nice work with its fresh runners and a solid journeyman pilot takes the return call, but this guy hasn't shown much early foot at all and doesn't look to be much of a fit with these; have to side with others.

Zol Zayne

Stretches back out while dropping again in price for his second route spin over the inner strip; gelding catches a rather weak bunch in this spot and he should find himself up with the pacesetters from the bell; he's had his share of chances, but it looks like they'll have this guy to beat at a likely short price.

Shanks for Nothin

Hood comes off this sophomore for his first route crack while returning from the brief freshening to face older foes for the initial time; this barn excels with the equipment change and they get the gelding a weight concession with the sharp bug pilot named; don't know that the added ground will be the panacea, but both of his sibs are sprint winners including 7 time winner and 263K earner Shankopotamus, so maybe he offers more against a field that appears ripe for the taking.

Run Logan Run

Newcomer tries 2 turns in his debut for a barn that doesn't boast an recent luck right out of the box; his sire is just 2 for 39 with his first out runners and the dam won twice prior to dropping 4 sprint winners from 5 foals to race who were a combined 1 for 10 routing.

Karamojo

Beaten chalk starts from the outside slot in his return from the brief freshening to tackle older rivals for the initial time; he did run into a next out winner in that last one but was also handily beaten by one of the guys he'll catch again in this spot; price will be better this time and he does have a solid route placing over the inner on his resume. - Steve Grabowski