Aqueduct: Closer Looks for March 9, 2014

Race 1

Patriotic Duty

One for 31 is a near impossible number to bet into with any degree of confidence; nearly 3 clear in last, he'll need help up front but there seems to be a fair amount of speed in here; like the way he kept to the task and was coming late; probably needs to improve to get there today.

Apex

Only one drill since he was claimed; place horse in last took a $20K N2L fray and the 7th finishers beat $12.5K N2L sellers next out; gelding can be his own worst enemy at times since he has limited speed; out of the money in the last 2 return efforts; would be careful before taking too short a number.

Santa Elf

Broke onto the scene solidly, has gone the other way since; this seems to be a better distance for her; 3rd and 6th finishers in last took starter races next out; the miler may have helped the stamina and at least he drilled okay since; look for him late if at all.

Tempered Threat

MNW Racing LLC was named as owner for the last race; place horse in last took a $25K optional, show horse took a $35K N2L fray; he very well could be the speed of the speed; long gone?

Private Irving A

Don't be too harsh about last and it's never easy to beat winners right back and it was at the wrong distance; pace figures to be much faster here than what he encountered in the maiden breaker; needs a turn around.

Acigarisjustacigar

Inner debut was solid and the last race was the best since that win; 2/2 winner repeated in an N1X with an 81 Beyer; must be left in the exotic mix at least. - Brian Mulligan

Race 3

How

First part of the RudyRod coupling looked pretty good making her first start in nearly 11 months and running away from maidens; filly will stretch out for this one, but she draws a great post and there looks to be enough lick signed on to allow her to settle and secure a ground saving spot today; though her sibs may have been better sprinting she is kin to a 3 time route winner; dangerous repeat threat.

Gloria Victoria

Statebred tries open company after taken her 3 of her last 4 against restricted foes; she's had time to get over the most recent effort and she returned to breeze like she remains on her toes for this; while she's yet to run as fast as some of these and will spot them all weight, she is a 3 time winner and clearly loves the inner strip.

Allie Sweet

RudyRod's other half earned the field's best last out number when cut back to a one turn trip in her first start of the year at Laurel; she's got speed so expect she'll find herself on or near the front end in this spot and her effort 2 back suggests this configuration will pose her little problem; looks to be the one they'll have to beat while completing a pretty tough entry.

Carameaway

Friedman's first part didn't have much late after breaking from the fence in her sprint return from the freshening last week; stretches back out to the configuration of her maiden score, but have to wonder if she's just better at one turn; solid journeyman pilot gets aboard and expect he'll have her close early, but don't know that she's good enough to step with some of these in the lane.

Dreaming of Cara

Other half of the Friedman entry has hit the board in each of her 3 starts over the inner this year including a beaten chalk try at the level 2 back; New York bred hasn't won in a long time, though, and her better numbers over the past year have come on the green; maybe for a share.

Royal Suspicion

Didn't pick up her feet while returning from the freshening here a couple of weeks back; mare was solid going long in the near miss with cheaper over the inner 2 back and the barn does do a decent job with runners second back from the break; concern is that she settles for a lot of a minor awards but she should find herself in a solid spot to try and prove she's good enough to get over the hump at this level.

Dattts Da Boss

Shades go on for her first start off the claim by a barn that's had a little luck at the local stand; filly failed to go on after making the pace against limited winners in her second start back from the break and now she'll tackle a much tougher bunch; a capable bug getting aboard will provide her with a weight concession, but it looks as if this gal would be better off on the lawn; looking elsewhere for the winner. - Steve Grabowski

Race 4

Astronomo

Aggressive-claiming price drop 1st off the claim; high-percentage trainer with this angle adds to the appeal; in this paceless event projects to show much-better gate speed 2nd-time out; the 4th and 8th-place finishers from his debut posted 49-46 Beyer speed figues in next-out AQU-25K-maiden-claiming wins; the one to beat.

Tell It to the Man

Back in 14 days trying to avoid a bounce following a fresh-new field-best Beyer speed figure Top with 52 days away before last; has been part of slower paces than anticipated for this but clearly blinkers added 2 races ago has improved the gate speed.

Say Nay Nay

2nd-time out Beyer regression when sent long; did not show any gate speed in either of his outrun at long odds losses; takes the MSW-to-maiden claiming class drop the biggest in racing seeking answers; trainer is 0-for the last-15 with maiden-claiming starters.

Really B Cat

Sire is 34-for-274 with 1st-time starters; is out of a stakes-placed dam (3-for-6, 69K) who produced 4 winners from 5 other foals to race including Grade 3-placed I Promise (2-for-11, 115K); capable-debut trainer has him working well for this; the pick.

Television Too

Faded vs. Tell It to the Man when posting a new Beyer Top dueling for the lead through soft fractions; made the lead in 2 of 3 so wants the front but has Clearly Perfection and Astronomo as possible pace pressers; the 3-back winner repeated in an AQU starter alw. with a 59 Beyer; know him early but unsure about late.

Spango

Sire is 15-for-199 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 2-for-7 dam (30K) who produced 6 winners from 6 other foals to race including 179K-earner Spanish Luck (7-for-32); mixed reviews from the worktab but has a bullet workout for this in a field lacking superstars; contender.

Dulha

Sire is 0-for-7 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 5-for-33 dam (129K) who produced 6 winners from 7 other foals to race including SP-183K-earner Little Wise Guy (4-for-43); has been outworked by the other two 1sters Really B Cat and Spango for this.

Clearly Perfection

Middle moved in latest racing 1st over the track while the debut runner-up finisher Beyered 65 in a next-out PRX-MSW win; pressed the pace from post 11 and while widest drawn projects to race on or near the lead vs. this kind; view as a pace presence. - Art Gropper

Race 5

Writingonthewall

Wonder if connections had this race in mind all the time as senior citizen was protected last time; in the exacta in 10 of 15 on the inner, and trainer tries to strike while the iron is hot bringing him back quickly; that's a good ploy for this barn; place horse two back won in this league next out; look out.

Private Tale

Been given time since leaving Pletcher barn; he has to prove it on the synthetic and may be more suited to the main surface here; has to find a way to turn the tables on Tito among others.

Abra

Style no secret; he'll be sent along trying to steal it; this is the first time he's been offered for sale for this barn; decent move on the 2nd; could get brave with a lonely lead.

Luckysdream

Goes from one good barn to another; 6 clear in last but he has to prove he can handle this surface; he trained steadily last month, should be forwardly spotted from the sound of the bell; if he can repeat that last Philly Beyer, the rest may be running for minor awards.

Don Tito

Runner has a penchant for finding the wire; he did hook a clear winner in last; and if you figure he just needed last, one can make a case for a move forward; needs a rebound run.

B Shanny

He's won in open company in the past; proven locally, a bit more energy in the drill on the 2nd and like the fact he has speed but doesn't need the lead to succeed; looms an astute claim.

Hackleton

Got the money off the claim two back but came back to earth in last when forced to steady at the start; toss his races away from the inner and the form brightens; versatily could be his best asset as he can be placed anywhere and perform; another valid contender.

Kingsford Drive

Did that muddy win last year just zap him?; could be as he has not been able to duplicate that winning Beyer; place horse in last won next out in a $100K stakes with a 92 Beyer; versatile and dangerous. - Brian Mulligan

Race 6

Ka Buki Rose

Caught wet-fast tracks in each performance and perhaps can show more life over today's expected dry surface; she quit on an open lead in her last attempt and faded badly when challenged; did improve in the latest training track breeze, however.

Island Candy

Another runner who has never raced over a fast track; her sire was undefeated in six starts banking 749K including multiple G1 success; the dam went zero for 5; there are no winning siblings to mention; truly outstanding breeze a week ago must be considered.

Sun and Moon

Equipment change may enable her to finally break through after running well in each outing regardless of surface or distance; probably was best in the race 2 back if not for changing paths at a critical point.

Candy Portena

All-out to capture the place in the final stride last month but the race itself was average in quality; never gets bet and perhaps can be used as part of your exotic wagering plans but cannot be recommended as the one to key on top.

Queen to Be

Took a while to get into gear in her maiden voyage on the last day of 2013; subsequent workout pattern is steady; her sire won 4 of 6 attempts and 148K; the dam went zero for 3 lifetime; this is her only foal to compete.

Regent's House

Newcomer hails from multiple G1 victor Street Cry who captured 5.15 million (his progeny have scored in 28 out of 337 debuts) ; the dam involved is multiple G1 star Ashado who notched 3.91 million; there are no winning siblings to mention; respect.

Costela

Lost too much ground in her first assignment; her sire won a G1 and 1.08 million; the dam was a multiple G1 type who garnered 1.5 million; among the winning siblings is 62K earner Fine Lookout; can rebound.

Ranger's Girl

Nothing to write home about up to now and the blinker addition in December did not help at all; her sire won 5 of 19 and 481K; the dam won 1 of 4 attempts and 7K; among the winning sibs is New York racing legend Evening Attire, a G1 winner who notched 2.97 million.

Latin Tudor

Defeated by an encore winner last month and seems to be rounding to form; upgraded in the latest training track breeze and maintains high-percentage rider; should be able to stay within range against apparently modest field.

Worldly Charm

Thrice beaten chalk has been unlucky in each run and now draws the same unfortunate post he hard in his first pair of appearances; if he can run back, pace-wise, to the effort on 12/21, he should be an exacta presence.

Julie Napp

Raced on monthly intervals at the end of 2013 but failed to earn an in-the-money finish; a long set of half-mile breezes since then, and blinker addition, suggests he could improve especially with the switch to this apprentice. - Jim Kachulis

Race 8

Spa City Fever

Projects as the one to catch with Street Lord; 85 days away noting his last fresh start was an off-the-board stakes loss; gets in with his lightest-weight assignment in nearly one year suggesting even more that he's the one to catch; beat the 2-back show finisher who posted 92-88 Beyer speed figures in 2 next-out 100K-stakes win; posted a field-best Beyer March, 2012, in a nose-71K stakes loss on AQU Inner Dirt; the one to beat.

Uncle T Seven

Off the bench with 5 staight out-of-the-money finishes; latest represents his lowest Beyer since turf October, 2011; defeated by the show finisher in last a next-out 96 Beyer 50K-claiming winner; the last time he traveled 1 Mile ran into Johannesburg Smile who follows him off the bench for an 11%-winning fresh trainer; the 2-back winner repeated in a 100K stakes with a 94 Beyer; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Modern Child

Last win was on a sloppy track; 3-back is a career-best Beyer but showed nothing in latest when catching wet footing again; reunites with the win rider from his triumph at longer; the 2-back winner repeated with an 87 Beyer taking a 100K event; beat the 3-back show runner who Beyered 86 in a next-out starter alw. victory; needs a wakeup call.

Socialsaul

Claimed 5 times since May; he is in an event today where he is not up for sale; up-and-down recent form middle moving in latest on a wet track which we thought would move him up following the 3-back win but weakened in the lane; the 2-back winner repeated in a 20K claimer with a 71 Beyer; others appeal more.

Street Lord

On the lead fell back then re-rallied to score in game fashion to make it 4 straight Inner-Dirt exactas; figures to be a force from bell to finish and hopes to sit just off Spa City Fever before getting 1st run on the closers; beat the 2-back show runner who Beyered 92 in his next-out AQU-35K-claiming win; the pick.

Bake Shop

33%-winning fresh trainer gave him time off since latest far-back finish and lowest Beyer posting since October, 2012; the 3-back winner went on to win stakes races; obviously has something to prove over today's Inner Dirt as latest was his 1st attempt here and it wasn't very good.

Idle American

Middle moved in latest suggesting he may want even shorter than today's Mile-distance test; the 0-for-12 dirt record is not easy to take with all 3 wins and his best Beyer coming on turf; winless 13 races since November, 2012, taking a 1-Mile-wet-turf-optional claimer on AQU grass; prefer others.

Johannesburg Smile

The connections certainly had high hopes going into stakes company 1st off the claim; reunites with CVel 1-for-6 piloting this one but won a stakes with him at BEL at 1M on dirt; Spa City fever beat him 2-back when favored and it's now more than 13 months since his last win which occurred on AQU Inner Dirt where this horse for the course hasn't missed an in-the-money finish yet; contender. - Art Gropper

Race 9

Rock N Cozy

Drops in for a tag in career start number 22 after tiring late in her second start back from the break; mare draws inside again and though she's not a quick breaker she was able to recover and sit a good spot last time; she owns the highest last out Beyer in the field and though she's had more than her fair share of chances, looms the one they'll have to beat.

Peach Lake

Didn't do much until passing some runners late when turned back to sprint on the drop to claimers last out; low percentage outfit returns her quickly and maybe that means she has more to offer than she showed last time, but without much lick she likely finds herself with a lot to do in the lane here.

Fashionation

Caught a runaway winner when in with open claimers last time but finished well in front of the third finisher in that placing; move back in with statebreds can't hurt and this lightly raced filly doesn't catch a super tough bunch in this spot; move forward puts her in the exotics mix.

Outer Orbit

Tries claimers for the first time while turning back to sprint in her first start of the year; filly showed decent early foot at a longer one turn trip in a key heat first time out and she should find this bunch much easier; new pilot has done well with limited mounts here; class relief makes her a player.

Take the Zeppole

She's another being offered for sale for the first time but she's returning from better than a year on the shelf; filly showed improved lick through soft splits second time out and she did work sharply here last weekend; barn's been all around the money at the stand and maybe they have this gal cranked to get involved first time back.

Quick Explosion

Showed solid early foot when trying a slightly shorter trip against cheap open claimers at Parx last month; she has a right to be better with the initial experience behind her and she will get the services of a capable bug in her local debut run; can't be overlooked first time with statebreds.

Madison V.

Drops back to the claiming ranks after tiring from her pace chasing efforts off the freshening the other day; filly was quite good when third against the boys prior to the short break and maybe with the regression behind her she moves forward to contend for an outfit that boasts nice numbers with its runners second off the break.

Patriot's Jewel

Gray has yet to hit the board in 8 career starts including her last 2 over the inner strip; low percentage barn returns her quickly but its tough to fathom she'll have enough to go with what some of these are capable of running; looms another long price. - Steve Grabowski