Aqueduct: Closer Looks for November 20, 2013
Race 1
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Race 2
| Cavu |
| Sire Zensational gets over 10% 2yo debut winners (3 for first 28), according to DRF sire stats; sire won 5 of 8 for $669K, won 3 G1s (Bing Crosby, Pat O'Brien, Triple Bend); dam has 4 winners from 6 foals including Choice Play (3 wins, $193K, SP); dam won 2 of 17 for $125K; plenty of solid works for a trainer quite capable first time out. |
| Father Johns Pride |
| Sire Grand Slam gets over 11% 2yo debut winners; sire won 4 of 15 for $971K, won G1 Champagne, G1 Futurity, also a G2 SW, 2nd in G1 BC Sprint, G1 Haskell; dam's 1st foal; dam won 1 of 5 for $27K; showed talent in the a.m. for a trainer who has sharp debut-win figs. |
| Vona |
| Sire Circular Quay gets over 9% (4 for first 42) 2yo debut winners; sire won 5 of 13 for $1.5 million, won G1 Hopeful, 2nd in G1 BC Juvenile and G1 Breeders' Futurity, 2-time G2 SW; unraced dam's only foal is Cheers n' Humor (2 wins, $15K); some promising works for his Hall of Fame trainer. |
| Endowment Manager |
| The only 1 in here with experience; 2 good 2nds to start his career; then he set the pace going a mile at BEL Oct. 26 as the 2-1 favorite but hit the brakes hard; it's nice, at least, to see no panicky drop or layoff since; Pompay adds blinkers and moves him back to sprinting, which may help; 2 of 4 sibs are winners including New Yawker (10 wins, $297K) and Valiant Passion (2 wins, $132K, G1 SP). |
| Trail Blaze |
| Sire Indian Charlie gets over 15% 2yo debut winners; sire won 4 of 5 for $616K including G1 SA Derby, only loss came when 3rd in G1 Ky. Derby when injured and was then retired; unraced dam has 4 winners from 5 foals to race including Trendy Lady (4 wins, $199K, 3-time SP including a G3); been working steadily for Pletcher, who of course is well known for superb debut-win numbers (28%) and his strong work with 2yos (30%). |
| Cashmere Cat |
| Sire Discreet Cat gets over 13% 2yo debut winners; sire won 6 of 9 for $1.6 million, won G1 Cigar Mile, 3rd in G1 Vosburgh, 2-time G2 SW; unraced dam has 3 winners from 5 foals including May Fourteen (3 wins, $75K); some strong works including 2 recent bullets to indicate there's talent here. |
| My Pisano |
| Sire Yesbyjimminy is 2 for first 11 (18%) with debuting 2yos; sire won 11 of 25 for $586K, was multiple SW in Florrida including a G3, multiple SP; dam's 6 foals are all winners including Tropic Storm (6 wins, $397K, SW, 3rd in G1 Triple Bend, also multiple G2/G3 SP; dam had 1 2nd from 5 starts for $7K; some encouraging works and trainer Esler making the most of his limited starts with firsters (2 for 3, 67%). By Michael Hammersly |
Race 3
| Heiressofthecrown |
| Claimed out of her last start, new barn changes things up and moves her back to dirt, and also adds blinkers; gets shot with straight 3-year-olds after facing older rivals for the second half of the year, and has reason to move forward in second start since July; can pick up some pieces if the pace is hot. |
| Uno Duo |
| She's a half-sister to Group 1 winner Etoile Montante ($659K); is moving back to the six-furlong distance of her maiden win after finishing fourth in the $100K Dream Rush over seven-eighths of a mile at Bel; for her effort in that race she earned what ranks as this field's best last-race Beyer Figure; might get nice tracking trip behind Indian Splendor; win candidate. |
| Believe in Charlie |
| She's moving back to dirt following a sharp turf win and note she has had success on such a surface in the past, having won her maiden on the main track at Crc; the win last out came in her first start in six months, and she would seem to have reason to move forward in her second start back; might track Indian Splendor; can at least share. |
| Indian Splendor |
| She looks like a candidate to wire the field; she's shown excellent speed in her races and as a rule has been an outstanding gate horse; she's also fresh, as this will be her first start since September; has fired big off the bench in the past, and perhaps the main question is the six furlongs as this will be her first start beyond five and a half panels; choice. |
| Miss Mischief |
| She might get a nice stalking trip from her tactical, outside post; has been a consistent sort as a rule and now shortens up some to a distance over which she is a perfect 2-for-2; barn adds blinkers, and she seems like one Indian Splendor might have to fight off in the lane, along with Uno Duo; leading contender. By Mary Rampellini |
Race 4
| Daddy Dont Preach |
| Despite having yet to post a winner at this meeting this barn has been live but this gelding was outrun every step of the way in his career debut and he's obviously going to need to be ready for a much improved performance to get the job done against these. |
| Nail It |
| When considering the long layoff, and that he didn't perform all that well in his one start over turf, perhaps this race is being used as a steppingstone to a dirt start the next time around; Ortiz has won with 5 of 19 (26%) mounts for this barn in 2013. |
| Chang's Secret |
| The 69 Beyer Speed Figure he earned for his latest performance represents the best last race figure in this field, and even though he earned that number sprinting, he's performed well enough routing to suggest that he can be a player in this spot. |
| Insighting |
| His recent form has been in the neighborhood of what it might take to get the job done in this spot, but it is worth noting that he's making his first start after a 25k claim, and that he was claimed away from the Asmussen barn; nevertheless, have to view him in the light of a contender. |
| Charity Reins |
| He took a step in the right direction along the Beyer Speed Figure scale while making his second start back from a layoff in his latest outing, and if he can remember the way that he performed back in April, there isn't any reason why he can't make some noise against these. |
| Bottleofredorwhite |
| The added distance might be a question, but this gelding has top connections behind him and he showed enough in his turf debut sprinting to merit top contender status in this spot; Castellano has won with 4 of 10 mounts for this barn in 2013. |
| My Teddy Bear |
| It's never easy to show confidence in a runner who is seeking his first career win in start number 17 and this gelding didn't run all that well in his first start back from a layoff in his latest outing; feel that a minor award might be the ceiling. |
| Brass Pear |
| Not going to be surprised if he proves to be an early pace factor, but it's difficult to give him a favorable push until he shows that he has more to offer through the stretch; he looks like more of an outsider. |
| Polaris Dream |
| His form did improve when he moved into this barn back in June and he put together a number of races that look pretty good when compared to what these have shown to be capable of; however, he's been hanging around the maiden ranks for a while, and his latest effort after a layoff wasn't anywhere near his best. |
| Post Pattern |
| He's shown the ability to step up with a performance that is strong enough to get him into the mix against competition of this caliber and it doesn't hurt him to have Lexcano aboard again; that said, he's another in here who has found it tough to clear the maiden hurdle. |
| Do It for Dennis |
| Sire wins with approximately 11% of his first time starters and with approximately 7% of his turf starters, and dam was unraced; this is a demanding distance for a first-time starter and the extreme outside post doesn't help his cause. |
| Cat Man Fu |
| It looks like Nail It might be the most capable over dirt of the horses in the main body of this race, and that rival hasn't raced since last December; tough to ignore the 0-for-37 race record, but this really wouldn't be a bad spot for this gelding to land in if this race has to be moved to the main track. By Brian Pochman |
Race 5
| Ed's Magic |
| He returned to dirt last out and recaptured his best form, and note the effort came at this level; has the speed to hold his position form the rail and has reason to move forward in this, his second start since September; also exits a quick race; looks like a leading contender. |
| Awesome Heart |
| He makes the meaningful move to the maiden claiming ranks for the first time in his career; he's also appealing for the fact that he has an age edge on a number of these as he is 4; his racing experience is also a plus, and looking for him to be making his case in the later stages on the move from a mile to six furlongs; contender. |
| Private Irving A |
| He showed good speed in his last start, when returning from a layoff of four months; did well to hold third after being part of a quick pace and can move forward here in his second race back; like that he was favored in the race; a drawback is that he must again face Ed's Magic; leading contender. |
| Pegasus Tiger |
| He fired an improved race last out, which was his first start on Lasix; he also was moving into the statebred ranks after facing open-company rivals in his debut; barn makes another change here and removes blinkers, which is a high percentage move for Englehart; continues upward trend. |
| It Matters |
| First-time starter goes for stallion who is getting 3 percent debut winners from a limited sample; dam was unplaced in two starts, but from five foals to race has produced four winners; shows nice series of works for bow and as a first-time starter is one to preview in the paddock. |
| Sunrise Lover |
| He turned in a solid second-place finish last out to regroup from an unfortunate racing experience Nov. 2; steps up a notch in class, but owns one of the field's better last-race Beyer Figures; also can move forward in what will be his third start since August; can share. |
| Horatio |
| He will be giving up recency to some of these as he has not started since July, but do like that he has natural speed, a tactical gate and the field's best last-race Beyer Figure; he also faced steeper last out at Bel; fired bullet in final prep for return, and appears to be a win candidate; choice. By Mary Rampellini |
Race 8
| Finders Key |
| Had things going along pretty well from last spring to this spring but the recent pattern is a bit worrosime - poor race at MTH/layoff/poor return race at DEL/layoff/class drop today; at least she's no giveaway for this price and her lone start here a year ago was one of her better outings so maybe the layoff, drop, returning here and losing the blinkers can get her back on track...maybe. |
| Kaitlyns Cat |
| Game win over lesser at SAR Aug. 25; then tried a tough bunch at BEL Oct. 9 but was not disgraced when 4th; back down in class but she's still in for nearly twice what she could have been claimed for in that good Aug. 25 outing; 3 nice recent works encourage, though her best work so far has come at trips longer than what she sees today. |
| Lead Me On |
| Big N2L win in the slop on the inner here Jan. 16 was most encouraging but things have gone south since - she ran poorly on dry land on the inner Feb. 15, was then gone 7 months, ran poorly on BEL turf and now has been gone another 2 months; does drop and returns to dirt and sprinting and all of that may help snap her back to life; at least has been working well since her last run,too. |
| Sentimental Lass |
| There was reason to be encouraged for that Nov. 7 run as she likely needed her prior start and then posted a big bullet at BEL Oct. 28; alas, all that did not translate into a good run Nov. 7 as she stalked the pace but gave way readily; down in class for this but save for that FL win in June things haven't really gone well since she was sidelined 15 months, missing all of 2012. |
| Natalie Victoria |
| Plenty of speed here and if she gets her way up front she can be awfully scary; they thought enough of her in March to give her a crack at the G2 Top Flight; sure, that proved to be too much but she romped at BEL May 8 and then was 4th in a stakes there June 7; hasn't been seen since, so that layoff, coupled with today's big drop, is a little worrisome but she's still in above her claqimed level (they took her for $25K in March) and her speed may mean she can dictate tempo from the bell. |
| Revenue |
| Comes here sharp of a game win at BEL last month; that being said, that came on turf and obviously we're on different ground today; at least has handled dirt well before and note that while Galluscio moves her back in for a tag today it's still more than what he paid to claim her at SAR 3 months ago ($25K); Castellano was up last time but ends up staying on 'Victoria to this gal's left today instead, so read into that what you will. By Michael Hammersly |
Race 9
| Mach Seven |
| Sire is 7-for-46 with 1st-turf starters; stakes-winning dam (4-for-15, 225K) did not race on grass; her only other foal to race is 1-for-3 turfer Zip Cat (27K) who won his career debut on BHP grass at 6F; the runner-up and show finishers from last posted 68-61 Beyer speed figures in next-out DEL-LRL-MSW wins. |
| Doc Cebu |
| Posted a field-best Beyer in July without blinkers and they are removed for this; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 74 in a next-out AQU-20K-maiden-claiming win; he beat the 7th-place finisher a 63 speed figure next-out AQU-16K-maiden-claiming victor. |
| Dapper Draper |
| 8 weeks since fading at shorter; his lone-exacta finish was on dirt going long so some hope he can hang on for a share here; best Beyer of career was in his grass debut on less-than-firm ground; fared well on dirt and may want the main track. |
| Moonlite Encounter |
| July absentee for an 0-for-18 trainer with runners off similar freshenings since 2012; the 3-back winner repeated in a BEL-15K claimer with a 64 Beyer; defeated 1 runner in 3 races combined with blinkers on but the hood comes back on for this. |
| Ontheotherhand |
| Sire is 12-for-81 with 1st-turf starters; 0-for-1 dam did not race on grass; her only other foal to race on turf went 0-for-1; added distance is a huge concern off the sprint fade at 3F shorter; 1-for-16 first-turf trainer does not help the cause. |
| Regimental |
| Shown zero-gate speed in both losses racing much better on turf for last; the addition of front wraps in his 1st-maiden claimer then finished far back which does not help the confidence level; may need longer than 1M to see very-best form. |
| Prince Curlin |
| 7-straight double-digit length defeats heading into this and have not seen his best Beyer since 2012; last turf start was his 2nd-straight last-place finish on the green; would be a shocker for a 1-for-36 jockey-trainer combo since 2012. |
| Mad With Fever |
| The winner and runner-up finishers from last Beyered 76-68 in next-out FL-247K stakes and BEL-MSW wins; long layoff adding blinkers for the class drop into a maiden claimer for the 1st time; will be taking a wait and see approach. |
| Brandy's Big Guy |
| Exits his lowest Beyer since the 1st start of 2013 which was off the bench in March; wanted no parts of dirt; in many of his turf losses finished evenly lacking a late punch; new rider is his 5th different jockey in as many races which is not a good-win angle. |
| Muscles Marinara |
| Back on grass after 2 so-so efforts off the June claim; his 2-back loss to Moravitz when tiring at shorter than this does not help the confidence level for an 0-for-13 dirt-to-turf trainer; off recent races figures to stalk the pace wide. |
| Mr. Masterpiece |
| Was also entered Thursday in a 25K-NY-bred maiden claimer at 1 Mile on turf; last three starts are all new-Beyer Tops the latest when lacking stamina at longer but a good sign that the new Top was on AQU green. |
| Angel de Amour |
| A major-pace presence if in after racing on the lead in last 2 losses the latest a near-miss finish on AQU green; cutting back to 1 Mile seems to fit this guy very well although a beaten favorite in 2 of 3 he will likely take heavy tote action if in; the one to catch and beat. |
| Omos Journey |
| Lacked stamina in the 51-1 loss 1st time on AQU grass; best race is when he broke last then rallied; weight break today in with the lightest-weight assignment ever; removed both Lasix and blinkers for last without producing the desired results. |
| Moravitz |
| Did not show up with his best run in latest after 2-back just missed in a sprint with a career-best Beyer attached; clearly latest is a major issue and showing no gate speed he needs pace and trip help to land a major share; clearly talent here off the BEL-exacta finishes in October; would have to up his game to a new level to land a major portion. |
| Gridiron Great |
| Up-and-down form since the July claim; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 83 in his next-out AQU-MSW win; troubled-gate break in last hurt his chances while racing 1st time on AQU grass from this wide draw are major concerns; sizzling-AQU barn adds to the appeal. |
| Cielo Soleggiato |
| Main Track Only entry was also entered Thursday in a 25K-NY-bred maiden claimer at 1 Mile on turf; Dapper Draper seems the one to beat if we are moved to the main track; high-percentage turf-to-dirt trainer adds tp the appeal; adds more pace here but has something to prove off a troubled-gate break and lowest Beyer since January. By Art Gropper |