Aqueduct: Closer Looks for March 3, 2014

Race 2

Dynamic Chime

Hasn't been close to the winner in any of his 7 starts and now he'll stretch back out on the drop back to this level; gelding did show some early lick in the mud 2 back and maybe the inside draw helps him again get involved in pace against this weak bunch while getting a switch to a capable apprentice.

Prophet's Cat

Statebred tries open company while stretching out off the second out sprint fade; gelding gets a switch to a live bug for this and her dam was a 3 time route winner whose 3 other foals to race all won going long; barn doesn't win too often, but if this guy is going to show any improvement its likely to be at 2 a turn trip such as this one.

Colonel Anna

Took some money while starting from the fence in her first out sprint try and didn't have much to offer late; pedigree suggests the added ground will help move her up and one of her 3 sibs to race is a 2 time route winner; she'll try the boys in this spot but the barn boasts excellent numbers with its runners who have had a race and the meet's top pilot sticks with her.

Shelby Dean

Earned a nice number in his local route debut last month, settling for second money behind a subsequent repeater (49 Beyer in beating claimers at Laurel); gelding has a right to be better second time over the track and he's not facing an extremely tough bunch; contender.

Karamojo

Beaten last out chalk was defeated quite handily by the guy drawn to his immediate inside here; his prior route crack over the inner was pretty solid and he did beat the big guy in here rather handily in that one; one to consider at an improved price today.

Gallant Lady

Filly tackles the boys after hitting the board in each of her 2 turn spins over the inner track; barn doesn't win too many races and this gal's better numbers are a little light of what the contenders in here are capable of running; prefer to limit her use to underneath in exotics.

Steve Came Thru

Outside drawn gelding earned a field best number when well up the track for twice this price going long 2 starts back; sprint try should have sharpened his lick some and now he'll get shades while catching a rather lackluster field; he'll need to be more involved from the bell, but on his best they'll have him to beat. - Steve Grabowski

Race 3

Green Gratto

On the lead in 5 of 6 starts no doubt what his strategy is for this; could potentially be his 1st-Wet track start while racing at his highest level; it seems apparent the barn change and blinkers have made him into a different and much-improved runner; defeated the runner-up finisher from last who posted a 90 Beyer speed figure in his next-out AQU-starter alw. win.

Mulheb

The 441 Wet Number leaps off the form and might get a 2nd crack on the off going; his worst USA Beyer was his only start on a wet-main track fading in a key race where the winner-runner-up-show finishers Beyered 86-84-67 in next-out PRX-alw.-CRC-W0-MSW wins; lone win on the lead but those tatcics did not pan out as well in last.

Bemata

Not a good sign that his 1st race off the claim was his worst Beyer since September; projects to rally into a hot pace; 45 days since latest for a high-percentage fresh trainer; last time racing this short was an 11th-place far-back finish at SAR; worked a bullet for this but deep closer needs a pace metldown and strong bounce-back effort to land a major portion; seems the one to beat.

Much Stronger

Main asset is he can win from on the lead or off the pace but exits his lowest number since October, 2012; his field-best Beyer speed figure was posted on SAR-fast dirt; seeks his 1st-ever exacta finish on wet footing while owning the lowest-Wet number in the field.

Bos'n Alwyne

1-for-1 on wet tracks so hopes to get off going for this; both wins at PRX so has something to prove out of town; exits a dull effort over the track seeking his-1st AQU Inner Dirt exacta finish; 2-back race looks stronger since the runner-up finisher Beyered 71 in a next-out AQU-16K-claiming win; contender.

Make Your Move

All 3 wins at at least 1F longer than this getting up in time to win it all is a major issue; gets a good pace flow to rally into for this; he graduated in the GP slop, owns a career-best Beyer on a wet track and his 428 WET number suggests this one moves way up on the off going; the show runner from last Beyered 98 in a next-out AQU alw. win; the pick. - Art Gropper

Race 4

Rock Show

Repeatedly proven vs. higher-priced foes; lack of speed a concern; apparently not much of a work horse, miss just went off form when cutting back to a sprint in November; hard to adore.

Mess in a Dress

Right there with $25K claimers in December, like the way mare was inching toward the winner in last; she was 3 clear and she flashed more energy in the work last Monday; she's spotted for action.

Saxy Lady

Mare has won her share in her career but she could be pitched a tad too high; never simple to conceded 17 or 18 lengths on a consistent basis; lean toward watching a local outing.

Darnley Bay

Must prove she can win outside of conditioned claiming land; she obviously likes the layout, was protected 2 back and the distance should be right up her alley; rates long look in all the slots.

Another Page

Toss last pair, she wants to go long; there is a precendent for a stretch out score if you go back to the maiden breaker; new bug takes reins; look for pilot to send hard and try to steal it.

Little Rita

Can't be thrilled with the inner strip slate; mare pretty much went through the motions in last; 12/9 place horse cashed next out in a $20K starter here, then ran out of the money; all of her wins have come at Finger Lakes; would be careful here.

Philippis

You have to put them where they belong in this game; hence the drop; proven off the pine, she has beaten higher-priced runners before too; she may not have cared for the rail in last but has to find a way to turn the tables on Mess in a Dress.

Go Olivia Go

Proven vs. tougher, miss was protected in last and she doesn't have be 11 back early on; 3 of her 4 wins have been on the inner and 1/26 show horse beat $12.5K claimers next out with a 68 Beyer; slight improvement and she will be right there. - Brian Mulligan

Race 5

Saturday Bliss

Draws the fence for the stretchout in her first with winners after impressively running away from maidens while earning a big number first time out; barn hasn't had much recent luck stretching them out and neither her dam nor her other foals to race are route winners, but she looks to be the quickest of this bunch early and if she's able to come even close to what she threw at them in her debut run she's going to be tough to catch at a rather short price.

Molly the Freud

Didn't have enough to get the place behind a runaway winner in her first with winners after running away from maidens in her sprint debut and now she'll stretch out; unraced dam's other foals were a combined 0 for 4 routing so maybe the added trip isn't ideal for a gal from a barn that hasn't had a whole bunch of recent success stretching them out, but she has shown that she's capable of passing runners and the top local pilot sticks with her here.

Storied Lady

Moved up to score when trying a route of ground for the initial time in her third career start, though the number she earned was quite light; filly was beaten by one of these in each of her first 2 sprint starts and though she'll get a weight break as a result, she'll get the services of another new pilot here; siding against the repeat.

Mlle. Minuit

Drops out of the stakes ranks for her return from the break for an outfit that hasn't done too much here; gray did run pretty well against better first time over the inner and the move to this level should help; she catches a promising foe drawn on the fence, but she holds a class edge over these and looms a danger first time back.

G Note

She's another making her first start of the year in this spot after being given some time off a weak try in her stakes debut first time over this strip; gal drawn to her immediate inside here did beat her rather handily in that one and this outfit has had a rough time getting to the winner's circle at the stand; she'll get a top pilot for her return to the races and her G2 SW dam did win twice going long before dropping multiple route winners from each of her other foals to race including multiple SW and 270K earner Mineralogist; eligible to move forward here second time at 2 turns; contender.

Jen's Miracle

Changes hands following the near miss in her first crack with winners; filly passed runners in both of her sprint starts and the dam was a 4 time route winner but her other foals to race were a combined 0 for 7 routing so don't know that she's going to move forward all that much at the extended trip; maybe for a minor share.

Saratoga Shoes

Kicked away from her pace rivals to take her well bet debut by open lengths here 6 weeks back and now she'll tackle both winners and a route of ground for the initial time; sire was mostly a sprinter, but the unraced dam's 2 other foals to race were multiple route winners including SP, 366K earner Bwana Babe; barn's second impressive debut winner in the heat deserves consideration.

Underthemoonlight

Draws outside for the stretchout in her second start back from the freshening; first foal to race out of an unraced dam looked ok breaking her maiden from a tracking spot second time out but her first crack with winners left a lot to be desired. - Steve Grabowski

Race 6

Echluath

Can this late runner get up in time ?; she should be able to save ground then make one furious run; 50 days since the key-race loss; owns the 2nd-highest Wet number and finished 2nd at SAR in the slop; the winner from last repeated in an AQU-allowance with a 70 Beyer speed figure; defeated the 6th and 9th-place finishers from last they Beyered 57-44 in next-out AQU-MSW and 25K-maiden-claiming wins; the one to beat.

Contender's Queen

The winner from last Beyered 60 in a next-out AQU alw. win; lowest-Wet number in the field; in her only off-track start faced lesser defeating the show runner a next-out 35 speed figure AQU-16K-maiden claiming winner.

Madison V.

Blinkers on is a 23%-win angle for the trainer; 46 days away with a solid worktab for this; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 62 in a next-out AQU-25K-maiden-claiming win while she posted a career-best speed figure 1st time on a wet track; contender.

Kevin's Steel

Finished 6th, 8th and 10th in 3 sprints but returns to 6F for this; has just one start on dirt the career debut a far-back finish; her field-best Beyer at 1M was on the grass; 9%-winning trainer 1st time out with newly-acquired runners so will be taking a wait and see approach.

In Her Day

35%-winning 2nd start trainer helps the confidence level that a much-improved effort is on the way; faded on a wet track 1st time out and is likely to get wet footing again; would have to show a lot greater stamina for this; others appeal more.

Camie's Dancer

Exits a career-best Beyer in last which still produced a double-digit length defeat; has not proven she can carry her speed on a wet-main track although the 3F-bullet for this suggests she will be a pace presence for part.

Laurenmychanelgirl

Sire is 21-for-311 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 1-for-4 dam (11K) who's only other foal to race is 3-for-15 Mr Again (86K) who went 0-for-2 on wet-main tracks; was outworked by the other 1ster All Luv Me for this.

All Luv Me

Sire is 10-for-146 with 1st-time starters; is the 1st foal out of an unraced dam; exits a 4F-bullet gate workout so wouldn't be shocked if she broke well; the barn does not have a debut starter since at least 2013.

Keep Right

Run off her feet by a runaway winner but held 2nd as favorite and is 3-for-3 in exactas; the 438 Wet mark suggests she will explode on wet footing making her doubly dangerous for this; add in a bullet workout for the pick.

You Jane

Hoping the blinkers can increase her stamina as she's tired in last pair; some of these are coming into this with swift works but her latest a.m. drill did not impress; best finish was on a wet-main track which is the one bright spot.

Gold Potion

23%-win angle with blinkers on from her trainer; did not like that front wraps were added 1st off the claim then she took an 11-point dip - now the layoff; working like she may fire back to best?; the winner from last repeated in an AQU-alw. with a 70 Beyer. - Art Gropper

Race 8

Pennymine

Mare has a nice stalk and pounce style and she got a boost when the 11/28 winner took an N1X, then was out of the money in a N1X; inside this time and she saw all the heels the last time she broke from the rail; would be careful here.

She's Stones Sis

Style no secret; she will be sent along and will likely try to steal it; Royal Suspicion exited the 11/21 race to take a $35K optional, then was 2nd a neck in a $50K optional; like the series of drills since the last effort; don't ignore.

Irish Whisper

Troubled in the first start vs. winners and she may have just not cared for the grass two back; 4 exited the 7/19 fray to win next out; miss has legit speed but doesn't need the lead to win; repeat well within the scope.

Run a Dubb Dubb

Sent along last time and it worked but she is hooking more speed this time; she has to try to do something today she never has in her career and that is put wins together.

Saichi Sweepin

Off the rail here, mare handled any kind of going, and maybe she just needed the last; show horse in last cashed next out in a $50K optional here on Friday when winning by 2 and a half in 1:12.39; capable barn due to get rolling.

Pegasus Diamond

Bothered in last, she still managed to make the lead but could not close the deal; mare has more speed than she just flashed and note place horse in the last win was 4 clear; trailer in last took a $20K claimer in last and the winner repeated in a $75K optional with a 74 Beyer; 12/21 winner repeated in a $25K optional, lost next pair; mare can sit just off the pace and succeed; a repeat of the 1/10 race and she'll be a handful.

Typhoon Teri

Proven fresh and it came on the cut back; show horse in last won next out in a $25K optional, then was third in a $75K optional; needs a rebound run.

Downtown Hottie

Three times as many slices as wins makes her a tough on top only ticket; not sure this is her trip and she was beaten 4 the last 2 times she was sent short; could be left with a ton of work to do turning for home; needs very best. - Brian Mulligan

Race 9

Locks of Gold

Stayed with the pace until the midway point in her first main track route assignment last month; raced evenly in the previous sprint effort and is facing nothing special here; may earn a share by default from coveted post.

Canela Rose

Lost all chance at the break in her most recent try; best effort over this inner dirt course was 3 back when catching a wet-fast surface (a distinct possibility for today's action if the advanced forecast is correct).

Eva Lil

Although out of the exacta yet again last month,s he did flash a bit of atypical early speed while huge odds; doubt that it will make much difference today regardless of the soil condition at post time.

Iratinelexburance

Beaten favorite could not handle the mile 2 months ago and was given a freshening which included a series of half-mile training track breezes; turned in a decent effort on 12/27 and if she can improve upon that performance, she should be in the mix.

Lovely Bella

Never been close up to now regardless of surface or distance; there is only light workout activity since the last trouncing while triple digit odds; may improve over this winter surface but it still seems improbable.

Dance I Can

Twice beaten chalk will be overbet once again but drops below the purchase price and switches to apprentice handling; should have a target pacesetter in Fly Solo and unleash a middle move; looks like a true trifecta presence.

Fly Solo

On the shelf since October but she has a better first gear than most of the field; training in above average fashion during February, she might be able to get away with a pedestrian pace here and last longer than most anticipate.

Simplie Sinister

Equipment change will likely not matter as the mare has shown no enthusiasm up to now; the most recent half-mile breeze was slow and a sudden awakening just does not seem in the cards; pass.

Patriot's Jewel

Goes back to the blinks and did display some fighting speed in the last run around 2 turns; was in obvious need of that performance but will be hard-pressed to keep pace with the inside pacesetting types; hard to endorse at this time.

Erin's Desert

Adds Lasix after coming up empty in both appearances (the first of which was actually a strong maiden special weight collection); note strong improvement to the latest a.m. move; her sire won a G3 and 448K; the dam won 1 of 2 and 4K; sib to 135K earner Elise's Notebook.

Carole Lee

Exits a useful comeback race where she gained a bit of ground in the last stages; should move forward somewhat with that tightener and reverts to the handling of Ortiz; should fare better even from this outpost. - Jim Kachulis