Aqueduct: Closer Looks for March 29, 2014

Race 2

Bold Runner

Raced evenly first out, a useful effort; his sire won a G2 stakes and 998K overall; the dam never competed; among the winning siblings is 241K earner Proud Zoe; faces several chronic maidens today and can earn a share at healthy odds.

Brendan G

Tries the Big A main oval for the first time after flashing decent early speed on the inner; faces apparent pace battle from the opening bell but could prove very dangerous if Blue Cherokee does not handle this surface; possible.

Blue Cherokee

Arrives with the best last Beyer by far and lost a heartbreaker in the last test, a blanket finish; doubles in price yet still must be respected if able to clear the inside rivals without difficulty; top-notch trainer at the helm.

In Speight Ofitall

Makes only his second attempt at the claiming level and has run well over this main track in the past; could be set up today if there is a serious pace meltdown and a generous price on the board is certain; not out of the question.

Lightning Ron

Despite the major gaps in the profile, he has matured this season with a pair of solid efforts; still may have trouble with this turnback considering the pace nature of the field and the weight concession may not matter; likely to arrive too late for top prize.

Simply Mas

This grey was in need of his 2014 debut where he was unable to keep pace; a late foal, he did show some promise in his juvenile year including an appearance in an added money event; should fare better in his initial try in the claiming ranks. - Jim Kachulis

Race 3

Harry Consolidator

Place horse in last was over 3 clear but it's always a chore to beat winners right back; gelding is out to prove 78-1 shot was no fluke; he will have a harder time maintaining contact here; passing.

Pin and Win

Nearly 7 clear in last and note show horse was also by himself; connections thought enough of this runner to try the stakes; 1/30 winner repeated in a $16K claimer and place horse 1/30 won in this very league next out with a 73 Beyer; look for rider to send hard and try to steal it.

From Tiz Moment On

Considering he hooked a freak last time, the race was not all that bad; the winner in last repeated in a $100K stakes; 10-pound bug given a chance here; hard to adore off the last fiasco.

Missile Nick

Nice big of training to have this runner set in only 2nd out off the extended layoff; note runners in the company line were clear for fun; could see him sitting another cozy trip; respect.

Life's a Roar

One for 23 is a tough number to bet into with any degree of confidence; last two races can't be much to build on and there are stamina issues too; would look elsewhere.

Three Cents

Overcame trouble in the debut but it's been downhill since; he got a boost when the winner of last repeated in a $100K stakes with a 99 Beyer; must prove it on this circuit. - Brian Mulligan

Race 4

Locks of Gold

A consistent check earner but she has appeared in several consecutive slow races (and this appears to be another one); ran well from the fence 2 back and should be able to hit the board without much worry with clean inside journey.

Signora Sofia

One-run type has shown better late kick of late but if you focus on the mare's efforts over the Big A main, they are disappointing; may rally after the fact and will not be that inviting a price in the first place.

Taylornator

Upgraded in that second effort but, like most of the field, has been involved in a long series of weaker races; her sire won multiple G1s and 4.91 million; the dam won 4 of 14 and 154K; this is her only foal to compete.

Patriot's Jewel

Right behind Signora Sofia recently as the blinker removal seemed to help somewhat; that was her best career effort by far which may actually reflect the poor nature of the competition that day; minor spoils at best.

Laguna My Way

By default, this newcomer looks like a major player; her sire won a G2 and 662K (progeny of Posse have won nearly 10 percent of their debuts); the dam won 2 of 14 and 14K; this is her only foal to make it to the races.

Mini Muffin

Major weight shift today may not matter as she has not little enthusiasm in recent starts; in her sole appearance over the Big A main, however, she did show some respectable early speed; most recent half-mile breeze was an improvement.

Today Not Tommorow

Nothing at all to highlight in all this time; although she turned in an atypical 7 furlong workout earlier this month, it seems improbable she will suddenly be in the mix; cannot endorse under any conditions. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Aliana

Was competitive in two recent six-furlong allowances on the inner track, and might not mind the stretchout because she possesses a blend of speed and stamina in her pedigree; Louisiana-bred is back on the surface over which she graduated with an 81 Beyer; could be dangerous racing on or near what figures to be a moderate pace.

Gloria Victoria

Was out-finished for second by Carameaway after flashing speed in her first N1X allowance attempt March 9; half-sister to stakes winner Comedero has yet to crack 70 on the Beyer scale (the Beyer par for this level is 78); should be no more than a minor player.

Carameaway

Checked in second behind the heavy favorite when she moved back out to a route in one of her better performances three weeks ago; homebred daughter of the deceased Lawyer Ron placed in two restricted stakes early in the winter, and should be prominent with her tactical speed; use her underneath in vertical wagers.

Haldane

In-form sprinter is going long for the first time since July, and could make some noise at a square price; she's run two solid races in starter allowance company under Garcia since being claimed for a bargain $16K; was arguably best while finding trouble in her latest; beware.

Hot Splash

Put up a fat 85 Beyer when she crushed state-bred optional opposition in her penultimate outing, but wasn't as effective in a tougher spot most recently; 5yo has performed like an in-and-outer since the fall--this will be her day to shine if the pattern continues; consider for the bottom of exotics.

Lunar Surge

Finished a distant third behind the front-running favorite and a rival who got dusted next-time out at Gulfstream in a recent 100-grander at Laurel; the filly she ran second to here Jan. 20 came back to romp in a $12.5K starter with a 95 Beyer; like her outside draw, and Velasquez knows her better now; preferred. - Ron Gierkink

Race 7

Cousin Michael

The trainer is superb 1st off the claim but he will need a huge improvement upon latest to upend these; the 2-back show runner posted an 87 Beyer speed figure in a next-out BEL-optional-claiming win; the June-BEL winner repeated with an 88 Beyer taking a 100K stakes; was handled at today's 7F by Bug Juice at SAR which leaves him ranked a notch below the top contenders for this.

Zetterholm

The coupling with Cousin Michael as both go 1st off the claim a high-win percentage move from the trainer; his entrymate gets the barn's 30%-win rider suggesting he is the better half; stakes winner at 1 Mile over the track nearly 2 years ago so seems better suited to race longer than 7F.

Empire Dreams

3-year-old gets a major-class test going from a 2-year-old stakes victory over the track into an event facing older rivals; his 2-back career-best Beyer posted at today's distance saw him beat the show finisher who produced a 79 speed figure in his next-out 100K stakes victory; won fresh 3 back at BEL which gives hope he will come back running for this.

Glowing Ember

Wish he fared better racing off the long layoff but was a non factor also showing up with front wraps on for the 1st time which is not a good sign; the better news is his best Beyer occurred on a wet-race track which is what he likely gets here today; posted an exacta finish in the career debut over the track which adds to the appeal; off latest must show a lot more.

Dehere of the Cat

Exits a best-last-race Beyer out of town while his last start on the AQU Main saw him beat 1 runner home; good sign that his last victory was in the mud and he hasn't missed an in-the-money finish on wet tracks; was no match for NY-breds 3-back including the show runner who posted an 86 Beyer in his next-out AQU-optional-claiming victory.

Bound by Humor

Obviously wanted no parts of grass 1st-time on turf but needed the race following a long absence; 1-for-1 on wet main tracks is a plus but wish we saw a better effort 3-back when favored in 2011 losing over today's oval; the 2-back show finisher Beyered 88 in his next-out AQU-OPC victory.

Bug Juice

Not easy to ignore the trainer's 1-for-21 mark 1st off the claim since 2013; he was screaming out for more yardage in last and gets 1.5F additionally for this; the winner from last repeated in a 20K claimer with a 74 Beyer; the November race over the track was a decent effort however others appeal more.

Dear Bo

TAM invader tests NY breds for the 1st time for a trainer 0-for-12 since 2013 first-time out with newly-acquired runners; did not show up with much run 2-back in the slop and his 2-for-4 fast-track record is ignored if the track is wet as forecasted. - Art Gropper

Race 8

Risky Rachel

Primed for this at TAM crushing open company; 2012 winner of this event with a career-best Beyer speed figure attached; the main concern is her recent wet-track form with rain forecasted for this; 3-backin the mud she faded vs. the runner-up finisher who posted 83-81-81 Beyers in 3 next-out stakes wins.

Hot Rendezvous

Just wasn't up to stakes company 3 back and seems to be shooting high here again; she's won 2 in a row on wet tracks but her only AQU-Main defeat was on less-than-fast footing; deep closer needs a pace meltdown to score hoping to get early help so that La Verdad does not get loose on an easy lead from the bel; others appeal morel.

Cape Cod Carol

Finally back in with NY breds but faces a tough group to compete with; have to go back to August to see an off-the-board finish on the form; main issue is this consistent sort is just 1-for-9 over the track and her last start here was an even finish vs. lesser.

La Verdad

Try to catch me; she's raced on the lead in 6 in a row exiting a best-last-race Beyer when making her stakes debut vs. graded company; 2-back is a field-best number; she's won her last 3 in a row vs. NY breds and should appreciate the class relief; cutting back to 6F also adds to the appeal and being 3-for-3 on wet tracks with rain likely is also a major benefit.

Make the Moment

Is on the wrong end of the scale here receiving a negative 5-pound weight swing off the under 2-length loss vs. Hot Rendezvous racing 2-back on wet footing; that race was her 1st non-exacta finish on an off track; off that one have her ranked a notch below the top contenders.

Vicki's Dancer

Enters with a negative 8-pound weight swing off the nearly 8-length loss vs. Hot Rendezvous; last time on a wet-main track saw her handled by Sunny Desert; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 82 in a next-out AQU-OPC win; late runner's last win at 7F so likely to see best form at longer.

Ave's Halo

Stakes debut today following a long layoff for a 10%-winning fresh trainer; the only 2 dirt races during career were both on wet tracks with light Beyers attached but one is a victory the maiden breaker June, 2012, which was her last dirt start; the 4-back runner-up finisher Beyered 81 in her next-out AQU-allowance win; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Here's Zealicious

Has fired well fresh which gives hope off the 8-week absence that she can repeat her PRX key-race romp defeating the 4th and 7th-place finishers; they Beyered 78-60 in next-out PRX-PEN alw, wins; the main concern is her last start over the track was a decisive loss vs. Sunny Desert; the 2-back wet-track defeat looks a lot better since the winner Beyered 82-77-72 in 3 next-out wins (PEN-LRL-optional claimers).

Sunny Desert

After beginning career 0-for-5 she's won 8-of-9 including a wet-track maiden romp over today's oval; she's only won once at 6F and seems a lot more at home traveling longer distances; has been superb off previous freshenings; in the 4-back stakes win she beat the runner-up who Beyered 95-91 in 2 next-out LRL-stakes scores; she figures to be flying in deep stretch and hopes someone can help soften up the speedy La Verdad to help the late runners. - Art Gropper

Race 9

Toohottoevenspeak

Over 9 clear and he may have hated the off going; 3 for 19 dam earned nearly $80K; one sibling lost twice, the other was 2 for 18 and banked over $40K; rider has had good success for this barn; major threat.

Sanctify

Two solid races so far and that's a super work last Saturday; place horse in last took a $75K optional next out and the 6th finisher took a maiden $16K claimer; 1 for 6 dam banked over $40K; this is her first to race; the way he was inching toward the winner in both races suggests he'll take to this trip.

Mark Twain

Mirror races so far and neither was pretty; dam was 0 for 7; several multiple race winners in the family and the best was Wild Grace, who took 2 of 6, banked over $100K; looking elsewhere for a key top horse.

Scare City

Considering the winner was clear in last, the race was not all that bad; he has a right to still mature with grace as full sis Motor City Mama banked over $260K; may need softer to shine.

Whyalwaysme

Took his fair share of action but passed tired horses; dam lost only start; both siblings won including stakes winner and near $130K earner I Bet Toni Knows; the drill on the 21st screams off the page; don't ignore.

Royal Posse

Colt has the two races to draw from now; backers can point to the fact that the top kin Ampart Ridge won 5 times, earned nearly $180K; the hotter the pace the better for this runner.

The Frood Dude

Shades added to the equation and wonder of they were on for the clever blowout on the 19th?; stakes placed 5 for 31 dam earned nearly $140K; all 4 siblings won, two banked 6 figures; must pick it up.

Fusaichi's Song

He seemed in a good spot last time, never kicked; dam was just one for 14; lone full bro to race Asongforsaichi took 2 of 10, earned 2 grand a start; would tread lightly here. - Brian Mulligan