Aqueduct: Closer Looks for March 23, 2014

Race 1

Here He Fitz

Moves the fence for the drop in for a tag for the initial time after suffering through a wide trip with MSWs in that last one; gelding ran ok for second money going long 2 back and now he'll step in with a field that has had trouble getting out of their own way on the track; not that he's done all that much, but he owns a big figure edge over what his foes have run and looms the one to beat at a short price.

All Over Me

Sophomore is in for his cheapest tag yet while tackling winners for the initial time in his fourth career start; he did have some trouble on the stretchout last time and maybe he moves forward second time going long, but he was sent to post at 140-1 last time and hasn't done much to suggest he'll take a good step forward here though he does get a weight concession with the bug named.

Easy Street

Fresh 5 year old returns to the inner over which his career began a couple of years back; he did run well on the strip in that debut heat and the number he earned in each of his sophomore dirt spins would put him in the thick of this one but neither of his main track starts in the fall was good enough to threaten for the top spot first off the break.

Officer Mahaffy

Sophomore showed some improved lick when drawing the fence last time but didn't have much left to offer in the lane of that sprint heat; he'll face older for the first time while stretching out for this and his winless dam did hit the board in 13 of her 17 route tries prior to dropping a couple of sprint winners.

It Was All Good

Didn't do much of anything in his 2 sprint starts and now he'll add the hood for the stretchout; he'll get a weight break with the bug named but his barn doesn't win many races and his winless dam lost 13 times going long; tough to make a case for him, even in here.

Hunter Grey

Gray was given a little time after showing improved lick second time sprinting over the inner for this low percentage outfit; he'll get a weight break with the triple bug named but there's not much in the dam's family to suggest he's going to improve much today; have to pass on him. - Steve Grabowski

Race 3

Academyperformance

G1-winning turf miler Shakespeare has sired nearly 7% first-out winners; unraced dam's only foal to compete was the placed Rosies Little Girl ($21K); the capable Castro rides for a trainer who hit with 3% of his debuters over the last five years ($0.70 ROI).

Latin Tudor

Placed in four of her six excursions, and has the look of a professional maiden who's a must-use underneath in all exotics; second-leading rider Jose Ortiz retains the mount and is 1 for 8 at the meet aboard Pletcher charges; could lead the way.

Spunderful

G1 Travers winner and noted filly sire Medaglia d'Oro has produced 10% debut winners; versatile dam was a minor stakes winner--she's produced G2 stakes winner Fed Biz ($541K) and minor added-money winner Spun Silk ($66K); trainer's stats with first-timers are mediocre, but top jock Irad Ortiz took the call.

Las Olas Azur

Finished fifth while beaten in double digits in each of her excursions, but is shortening up to what might be her ideal distance; trainer has fared well with turnbacks, but is 0 for 3 at the meet when he's given Franco a leg up; consider for the bottom of exotics.

Candy Portena

Daughter of the popular Candy Ride ran hot and cold in her last few, although a wide journey had to have hindered her chances most recently; saved ground over an inside-biased track when she closed for second Feb. 17, from which the third horse exited to graduate with a 57 Beyer; in the mix.

Julie Napp

Passed a few tiring rivals under the live bug Rice when a distant fourth with addition of blinkers in her first inner track try March 9; trainer has done okay second-time after a layoff, and this daughter of classic winner Curlin could complete the tri if things go her way. - Ron Geirkink

Race 5

Brilliant Einstein

Been crushed every time, now jumps up a few floors; why?; troubled in the debut when beaten by rival in post 3; tough to pull the trigger on this one.

Mach Seven

He has the 2 races to draw from but did regress in last; bug takes the reins and would expect rider to be aggressive early on; not impossible task.

Cuckoo House

Only in the money once and he didn't scare the winner that day; there is some blood on the bottom side as dam banked nearly $300K; would benefit for a hot pace that falls apart.

Unbridled Bear

Despite getting mud kicked in his face and altering course, the last race was decent; he has been given time to mature and there is a reason why; he is kin to $1.2 million earner Eddington; fresh and dangerous.

Gamble

Lack of speed a genuine concern; drills this month at Belmont were pretty solid; capable rider takes the reins; rates upset glance.

Political Farce

Gelding seemed in a good spot in Philly but was pushed along on a live pace; tough beat two back and note the show horse was well clear; connections would love to see him start acting like top kin, Grade 2 winner and near $700K earner Concord Point; the one to beat.

Alysaro

Apparently not much of a work horse as he shows up in the career cheap spot; bothered early in last and he just never got untracked; 4th finisher in last took a maiden $12.5K claimer and the 6th finisher graduated at this level; must display more. - Brian Mulligan

Race 6

Non Stop

A combination of many factors makes this gelding a solid candidate today; he has met some tigers in the last pair of G3 attempts and did not have an easy trip in either effort; he returns to the starter allowance condition in which he crushed his field 3 starts back, from this same slot; versatile gelding can prove strongest down the stretch.

Shankopotamus

If he can break alertly for a change, he should a pacesetter of some concern regardless of the track condition at post; gets a minor but important weight shift from Bellamy who wore him down in the final yards last month; runners in sprints, breaking from posts 1 and 2 during the last week have done extremely well.

Rigby

Sports a fine record in various categories but for some reason does not like the inner dirt when a wet-fast track is the order of the day; this 13-time winner can give a much better account of himself over a fast surface; mixed signals remain, however, as the most recent workout was modest.

Bellamy

Sharp improvement this year for this son of Bellamy Road but the hat trick is in danger because of the pace transition that he faces here; will have to rally from much further back if all runners go and that may be too much to overcome; may have to settle for minor spoils as a result.

Apex

Scored against a different type of starter allowance crew than this recently and a repeat tally will be difficult to achieve; still eligible for the n3l condition, he lands into a field that seems way above average in quality for the class involved; likely to rally after the fact.

Street Thug

Owns a fine first gear but has not been in a sprint setting since the beginning of his career nearly 2 years ago; the perfect record at this oval, and the fine percentage of the trainer, makes him difficult to leave out of your exotic wagering plans; still does not warrant odds-on status again in our book.

Schoolyard Dreams

Unusual fractions in that last race; this veteran completed the final quarter mile in that victory in 23 seconds flat; despite moving way up the ladder, he has significant back class to consider; seems on the verge of recapturing those performance levels and will be far more appealing odds today than in the last tally.

In the Beat

Fair showing earlier this month and the return to six furlongs should help somewhat; huge weight concession from the entire field is negated by this outside draw and the fact that he has never earned an exacta finish over the inner dirt; cannot recommend as a major contender. - Jim Kachulis

Race 7

Three for Me

Has not raced past 6F yet; exiting sprints figures to be a pace presence for this in a race top heavy with other gate speed; his Grade 1-stakes-winning sire went 2-for-3 in dirt routes (275K); is out of a 1-for-4 dirt-route dam (4K); full to Nonnie Connie who went 5-0-1-2 in dirt routes (30K); the 2-back winner and runner-up posted 73-70 Beyer speed figures in their next-out AQU-starter allowance and 16K-claiming wins; the debut runner-up Beyered 61 in his next-out AQU-35K-maiden-claiming victory.

First Ranger

Has become a new runner since blinkers were added (2-for-3); 2nd-time Long can be an improvement angle; likes route racing scoring in his 1st start beyond 6F for a hot-Inner Dirt trainer; off latest when sitting just off the speed helps the cause in an event loaded with stamina-challenged runners.

Effinex

Placed 1st to graduate; the DQ'd winner is scheduled to race Saturday which may give us a better gauge as to how this one will do on the class raise; needs a Beyer boost to land a share while the 1st start facing winners is often any runner's toughest-class challenge.

Tapitation

Another in the field who recently stretched out in distance successfully defeating the runner-up finisher who Beyered 73 in a next-out AQU-MSW win for an outstanding-repeat trainer; had to love the way he rallied past runners in both starts; projects for a super-closer's trip today; gets class tested but latest was eye-catching enough to think he can repeat.

Pax in Terra

Did not give the impression in last that he wanted to go longer noting the 2-back Mile victory when well timed; bet hard 1st time out with winners and will get a positive 2-pound weight swing from First Ranger for this but also has to get by Storm; the workout for this does not scream out that he's ready to turn the tables on some of the runners from latest; rider Ortiz had other options but remains here.

Prophet's Cat

Adds more gate speed in this event; in last widened up top to graduate vs. open-company-maiden claimers now back in with NY breds but faces winners; good sign that the win rider stays right here; the 2-back runner-up and show finishers Beyered 66-55 in next-out AQU-35K-16K-maiden-claiming wins; view as another pace presence for part.

Testosterstone

Has not raced past 6.5F yet; lone win was on the lead and wants the front in a race packed with suspect-gate speed; is bred for distance; sire took both the G1 Travers and Belmont Stakes (1.5M in dirt routes); dam finished 2nd in her only dirt-route attempt; she produced 64K-dirt router A Prettydixie (1-for-7); adds blinkers trying to find the missing stamina.

Storm

Stalked the pace to win the career debut but has been a bit speed crazy in recent races and today will be catching a field top heavy with other early zip; looms a major force at the scales receiving a positive 2-pound weight swing from First Ranger off the neck loss; both Pletcher-trainer runners (Pax in Terra) enter off less-than-eye catching workouts for this.

Frost Jordan

Has not raced past 6F yet; Grade 1-stakes-winning sire went 2-for-3 in dirt routes (275K); is out of a 2-0-0-0 dirt-route dam who produced My Cherry Pie (7-for-27 in dirt routes); rider from first 3 starts sides with Pax in Terra; off-the-pace style fits perfectly in a race loaded with inside-gate speed. - Art Gropper

Race 8

Jonata

Far from disgraced in the inner strip debut, she has trained solidly for this and favorite pilot re-hired; 8th finisher in last took a $12.5K claimer next out and the winner repeated in a $50K optional; respect.

Highestmaintenance

She may have just went too fast early in the 2014 opener; the 1/26 winner repeated in a $30K claimer with a 72 Beyer; key off the Cicada effort and she fits very nicely here; should be right there when the smoke clears.

Eta Carinae

She reveled in the mud but came back to earth in a thud on the stretch out; could see her showing some semblance of speed but can't see her clearing here; check out the 2nd best of 92 spin last Sunday; could need a race.

Bridgehampton

Was in the world-class hands of Drysdale in Cali and she was bothered in that debut; she wintered in Florida and trained solidly and if she can repeat that stakes effort in the June swoon, the rest may be looking at minor awards; this gal is live.

Keep Bustin

Nothing wrong with hitting the exacta in 9 of 15; she has much more speed than she just showed and she obviously likes this layout; a bit more keen to drill last Sunday; probably needs to improve to cash here.

Cubicle Queen

She popped and stopped in that stakes race and the effort may have taken a toll; hate to see them give up clear leads like she did two back but she is in good hands as hustling bug hired; the blood is there for her to have a nice career as kin to Mazella, who earned nearly $275K; look out.

Kara's Match Point

Proven fresh on this surface; she may have just not wanted any part of the route in last; winner of last repeated in a $12.5K starter with a 95 Beyer; over 8 clear in last and the race may have helped the stamina; look for her late if at all.

Talent N Passion

The last time she was beaten to the first call the race was on grass; she was all out to hold in last and now has to go a sixteenth farther; nice blowout last Tuesday, but you get the feeling if she is looked in the eye, she'll blink.

Superior Sarah

Mare may be a bit fragile as the races are spaced but she likes the inner and shows up and tries when she gets her chance; 4th finisher in last won at this level next out, 9th finisher beat $20K claimers in next and the winner repeated in a $75K optional; should be around the wire again. - Brian Mulligan

Race 9

Piccolo Flats

Adds the hood after losing her best shot at the break of her debut run here earlier in the year; barn does excellent work with its runners who have had a race and they'll switch to a top pilot for the stretchout; she ran into an impressive winner in that well bet debut heat and given her pedigree maybe that wasn't the ideal distance for her; kin to a route winner, we'd expect much better from her today.

Camie's Dancer

She's shown some early foot sprinting but hasn't saved much for the drive at all; filly returned to work well but there's not much route on the sire's side of the pedigree and she's the first foal to race out of a dam who never made it to the gate; looms a long price in this spot.

Nile Empress

Got going a little late in her sprint debut last month and now they'll stretch her out; she's the first foal to race out of a winless dam who went long 7 times without success; she does got a top journeyman pilot for this and the barn moves them forward second time out.

Legally Bay

She's had plenty of chances and has earned several minor awards going long; wasn't much of a threat late in her last, but the number she earned does fit well in this weak heat; she'll get a weight break with the switch to a bug and now she'll step back in with statebreds; can get in the mix here.

Prairie Stone

Has a nice foundation of a couple of sprints underneath her for the initial stretchout attempt for a barn that hits at a nice clip with this type; dam dropped 2 route winners including Vinnies Wild Tale who won 8 times going long so expect this gal will move forward with today's added trip; contender.

Bi Light of Day

Got along for third money when in against open company runners in her return from a brief freshening and now she'll move back with statebreds; she does own the field's highest last out number and has hit the board in both of her inner track spins; barn doesn't win a lot of races and this gal's been more of a plodding type than anything else, but her late run makes her the one to keep an eye on in the lane.

Echluath

Last out runner up showed sharp early foot from the fence draw in her return from the freshening and now she'll stretch out; her 2 turn efforts on the green weren't very good, but her dam is a main track route winner and the barn does nice work with both stretchouts and a those going second off the break.

Gingee

She's a 19 time loser who has run well going long over the inner this season; equipment troubles plagued her last so we can toss the try and she does have some positional foot so maybe she's able to secure a good spot within striking range of the leaders from the outset in this one; filly has had her share of chances but she can't be overlooked in here.

You Jane

Tries the route for the initial time after failing from a wide spot as part of the favored coupling; barn boasts a recent winner on the stretchout but there's not a lot of route blood on either side of this gal's pedigree; siding with others on the win end.

La Dama de Hierro

Held third on the stretch back out last time but didn't have enough to get to the top 2; runner up from that heat did return to break her maiden and this gal has had a full 4 weeks to get over the career best effort, but she'll need to take another good step forward to threaten from this outside slot.

Rumble Doll

Outside drawn filly steps back up to this level for her first start off the claim by this little known outfit; she did offer some late kick in a troubled sprint run last time and her dam was a SP turf router so maybe she moves forward some on the stretchout; still, don't think she goes so well with these. - Steve Grabowski