Aqueduct: Closer Looks for November 22, 2013

Race 1

Kid Cruz

Drops in for a tag while moving to the main track off a weak turf debut here earlier in the month; barn does well with the move to claimers and better with runners who have had a race than they do newcomers; dam's other foal to race earned both of her wins going long on the main track so this gal does have a right to improve over the footing.

Karamojo

Adds the hood after failing to get involved in his turf debut with MSWs across town last month; all 4 of his sibs to race are main track winners and the barn does an excellent job with runners who have already had a race so it wouldn't be much of a surprise to see this guy offer a lot more today.

Steve Came Thru

First part of the coupling debuts for an outfit that isn't known for its work with newcomers and the last couple of listed breezes aren't much; sire gets 10% winners from his first out runners and the dam won 6 races (2 on the main track) and banked 202K prior to dropping this guy.

Kingofgoldstreet

Goes first time for a tag while returning to dirt off the poor Belmont turf try; he did show some early lick sprinting upstate this summer and maybe he finds that speed again here, but he's got some moving forward to do before we could consider him a serious threat in this spot.

Hook Em

Offered little in his 2 MSW spins and now he'll tackle claimers in his return to dirt; colt gets Lasix for this try but he didn't return to work so well earlier in the month and the barn has only seen the winner's circle a couple of times this year; have to side with others for the money slots.

Mack Miller

He's been a bit of a disappointment thus far and now he'll be offered for a tag with shades added; didn't threaten in his lone crack over a dry strip but the number he earned in that one plays out pretty well with this bunch; barn excels with the drop to this level and this guy did show some ability in the faster of 2 maiden heats conducted the day of his second out Spa slop spin; contender.

Even Shower

Barn's other half also makes his debut in this spot with easy breezes on his worktab for a barn doesn't do its best work right out of the box; sire gets 10% winners with his firsters and the dam was a 3 time turf winner prior to dropping this gelding.

Village Warrior

Barn's second entrant in here has top pilot Castellano named for his return from the brief freshening and drop to the claiming ranks which is a sharp move for the outfit; his better effort did come over a wet track that he's bred to love and they do give up on this 200K buy rather quickly, but against this field he may prove to be the one to beat.

Sir J. J.

Offered little in his 2 turf spins and now he'll move to the main track for a barn that does excellent work on the surface switch; he'll get a top pilot for his local debut and the dam was a multiple restricted main track SW and 644K earner in Louisiana whose other foal to race was a limited sprint winner; hasn't shown much thus far, but if he has anything to offer it's likely to show today.

Race 2

Sir Leslie

Back to the win distance seeking answers; new rider is his 6th in as as many races which is not a good-win angle; faded badly the only time racing on AQU grass while the 3-back double-digit length loss vs. River Boss makes him an outsider for this.

Smokey Brown

Exits the 2nd-lowest Beyer of his career and both of thoses subpar speed-figure losses occurred on dirt; longest-distance test ever today after showing nothing in last facing winners; rallyied well in a sprint to graduate which does not translate well for this 8.5F distance test.

Scorpion Boy

Was screaming out for more yardage in the 1st-blinkered sprint start 1st time for a new trainer and a plus today getting his longest-distance test ever; the debut winner repeated in a CRC-25K claimer with a 75 Beyer; new rider is his 4th in as many races which is not a good-win angle.

Galactico

Was in need of more yardage in each of his last 2 races and gets it here his 1st test in New York since fading to Bedouin Now; career-debut win was 19 races ago at today's distance on GP grass rallying from 5th in a 35K-maiden claimer.

Hudson Miracle

Defeated the runner-up and 7th-place finishers from last; they Beyered 74-63 in next-out AQU-20K-16K-maiden-claiming wins; the 1st start with winners is often any runner's toughest assignment and consistency has not been his strong suit; keeps the win rider for the 1st-AQU turf test.

Trainingforsuccess

Lone win was a late rally at SAR with mixed reviews facing winners; tired at today's distance the last time seen on AQU grass but since blinkers were removed for August's win he has become a closer with a good 5-1-0-3 mark since; Ale beat him 3-back while 2-back faced the winner and runner-up finishers they Beyered 84-79 in next-out BEL-optional-claiming and AQU alw. wins.

Spirit of Peace

30-1 on the morning line Wednesday in an AQU-$12,500 claimer at 1 Mile on the grass; today's race is longer noting his lone win was on AQU grass traveling this far over a less-than-firm turf course; exits his lowest Beyer of 2013 when beating one runner home for the 2nd straight start.

River Boss

His field-best Beyer was posted on less-than-firm turf and fresh 1st off the claim following a 53-day absence but has declining speed figures since; has beaten many of these on the form in 2013; keeps the latest-win rider which is a good sign as the 10-post favored loss for last does not add to the appeal when racing 1st time on AQU grass.

Griffin Rock

58 days since drilling a career-best Beyer at today's distance on BEL turf; keeps the rider from that event for this; has picked up his game since claimed in April off a good effort on the AQU green; mild worktab off the bench where he displayed better tactical speed than in all of his other starts; see upside in a race lacking superstars.

Katmanstu

A massive-style change for last when graduating at shorter; he is also entered Wednesday in a Mile turfer for a $12,500-claiming price tag; raced right on the lead in races from May-to-October but latest-career best Beyer was a good sign closing; no match 3-back for Sir Leslie at today's distance while the runner-up from that event Beyered 72 in a next-out SAR-MSW win.

Bedouin Now

Improved Beyers off the August claim but has something to prove off the 2-back loss to River Boss; is another runner who can't seem to keep a jockey getting his 5th different pilot in as many races for this; owns his best Beyer on a sloppy-main track so will be doing the rain dance for this.

Life's a Roar

Speedster did not make the frontend in last in a dirt defeat producing his lowest Beyer since August; lone win occurred on less-than-firm turf but at today's distance racing right off the speed; figures to be an early factor here hoping to get brave up top then hold off the closers.

Secret Soul

Graduated via DQ 2-back while his 1st race on AQU turf was a troubled effort producing a career-low Beyer; his win was following more than a 1-year layoff and is back here with just 2 weeks to regroup; seeks the right level while sure to lose ground breaking wide.

Ale

Way off best form since his September-BEL win reuniting with the win rider off his lowest Beyer since February; the 3-back runner-up finisher posted an 85 speed figure in his next-out BEL-35K-claiming win; clearly has something to prove on AQU green but drops to lowest-price tag ever which adds to the appeal for an improved effort.

Summer Sands

Down to lowest-claiming price ever seeking answers; Main Track Only entry was off his best game in his 1st-AQU dirt start noting his lone win was at today's distance on fast dirt; picks up weight to race with his heaviest assignment since February but defeated Saturday Appeal when they matched on dirt 3 races ago.

Saturday Appeal

Speedy MTO was sent right to the front in last holding on very well from post 13 producing his best Beyer since July and a good sign that he performed the improved effort on AQU dirt; main knock is that he lost to the other MTO Summer Sands when they matched up on dirt 3-back at shorter.

Race 4

Left Uppercut

She's shown the ability to step up with a decent performance from time to time, so not going to be surprised if she earns a minor award against these, but it's tough to back her for the top spot after 19 starts, and it would've been nice if she showed more in her two most recent starts against maiden claimers.

Today Not Tommorow

She's had a few chances to show us what she can do, including three starts over turf, and she's yet to produce a performance that is strong enough to suggest that she can get the better of this field.

Amber Morning

Her three most recent races have been in the neighborhood of what it might take to get the job done in this spot and she has to be considered a top contender while dropping in to face maiden claiming competition for the first time; this is an outfit that does some of their better work with turf starters.

Erin's Desert

Sire wins with approximately 2% of his first time starters and he's 0-for-22 with his turf starters; dam won once from two starts for 4k, and she didn't make a turf start; a two-turn mile can be tough on a firster.

Shewreckstheplace

She's one of three in here who is seeking her first win after 20 starts or more and there isn't anything in her recent form to help give her a competitive look; she has to be viewed as being an outsider.

Sheedbdawon

Anasheed has been a poor influence as a turf sire but this filly has shown enough in her seven turf starts to merit contender status against these and it doesn't hurt to see that she's going out for a high win percentage barn that gets the job done with turf starters.

Music Maid

Lightly raced filly recorded her best finish to date in her latest outing, but that was over dirt, and she hasn't made much of an impression in her two turf attempts; she might prove to be an early pace factor with an aggressive rider aboard, but going to look for others to have more to offer through the stretch.

Bebes Passion

She hasn't finished better than fourth from 20 career starts, and that includes nine turf starts, and she's going to need to find a way to produce a performance that is much stronger than anything she's done to this point in time in order to contend.

See See See

In a race where it looks like the winner wil earn a Beyer Speed Figure in the 60's, and maybe even the low 70's, this filly has topped out at 54 through 22 starts, and that includes 10 turf attempts; she has the look of an outsider.

Rufus Ruth

Her three most recent races have been strong enough to point her out as a legitimate contender in this spot, but she is going out for a barn that has had a quiet 2013; at the very least, she's worthy of consideration underneath in the exotics.

J Rose Gal

She needs to see a scratch from the main body of this race in order to draw in and she's going to have to show up with her best performance to date if she's planning on threatening the top contenders.

Josie's Prospect

Lightly raced filly might still have more to show us and she's a 1/2 to minor stakes placed Nun On the Run (12-33, 148k over turf) and multiple stakes placed Good Prospect (7-41, 255k over turf); Ortiz has won with 24 of 83 (29%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Ana's Affair

An extreme outside post awaits in the event that she draws in and she's another in here who will need to find a way to step up her game in order to have a say in the outcome; late running type has to be listed among the outsiders.

Sky Lassie

This race looks like it might fall apart if it has to be moved to the main track and this filly has performed well enough in recent starts to give her a competitive look in this spot; note that this will be her first start against maiden claimers.

Canela Rose

She finished behind Music Maid in her latest start and that rival doesn't look like her biggest concern in this spot; she's going to have to show more if she's planning on getting the job done against these.

Signora Sofia

She hasn't posted a 1-2-3 finish in her first 14 starts and she will need to improve over what she's shown so far if she's to secure her first top three finish in here; her lack of early speed makes her a condidate to be outrun throughout.

Race 6

Coffee and Donuts

Major improvement to the latest gate breeze; his sire won 3 of 18 and 360K (offspring of Noble Causeway have scored in 5 out of 111 debuts); the dam won 7 of 56 and 361K; winning siblings include 234K earner Coax Liberty.

Margin of Victory

Nothing to highlight thus far but the first visit to the claiming ranks is always important; his sire won multiple G1s on the NYRA circuit en route to earning 3.26 million; the dam went zero for 16; sib to 174K earner Reversible Error.

Television Too

Flashed some fair early speed in his maiden voyage at the overnight stakes level; his sire won a G2 and 1.43 million; the dam won 1 of 15 and 4K; winning siblings include 23K earner Gray Lad; curious import.

Geaux Mets

This grey has to be respected because of the red-hot trainer involved; the colt's sire won a G2 and 662K while the dam won 2 of 21 and 86K; among the winning siblings is 60K earner Tapped out Bruno.

Full Pads

See the previous runner for same sire information (progeny of Posse have won nearly 10 percent of their debuts); the dam was without a victory in 5 attempts; sib to pure sprinter Our Bellini Bikini who captured 161K.

Electric Currency

Dangerous firster hails from G2 victor Exchange Rate who won 479K and whose offspring have scored in 61 out of 420 initial starts; the dam won 2 of 2 and 11K; among the winning siblings is 180K earner Tazered.

Pete's Fleet

Finished midpack in that comeback race of 15 days ago, a very useful effort; may not have cared for the wet-fast surface that day and can improve, at a square price, over dry ground; worth some follow-up today.

Slew's Brew

Despite losing significant ground, he earned a minor award in the last run; returned to Suffolk where he turned in some respectable half-mile breezes and may be able to stay within range here; playable at this level.

Metropolitan Storm

Hard to endorse as he has yet to hit the board and the blinker addition 2 back did not help matters; work tab this month is nothing special and he seems destined for another wide, futile run; pass for now.

Maybrys Challenge

Surface switch can do wonders for this gelding who has shown a better first gear than most of the field; his sire won a G3 and 322K overall; the dam won 3 of 8 and 124K; this is her only foal to compete; reverts to Castellano and is a good fit.

Perfect Dancing

Beginner was sired by multiple G1 winner Utopia who netted 4.91 million (his descendants, however, have won only 6 of 120 debuts); the dam won 3 of 27 and 105K; there are no winning sibs to highlight.

Race 7

Sally's Dream

It's tough to knock anything this miss has been doing lately and she owns the gate speed to take full advantage of the rail post; multiple stakes placed filly has shown the ability to adapt to any early pace scenario and feel that she's very tough to look past in this spot.

Lady's Lunar Luck

She looks like the biggest threat to Sally's Dream and she has outfinished that rival in the past; however, Sally's Dream has been much improved since that time and she soundly defeated this miss in her latest outing; nevertheless, she's certainly a candidate to hit the board.

Original Kitten

Her early speed helps give her some appeal, but not sure that she's at her best at today's one mile distance, and her best effort appears to be short of the mark of what it will take to win this; respect the fact that she hails from a sharp barn, but looking toward others.

Philippis

Nine-time winner is another in here who can find herself involved in the running through the opening stages, but she hasn't been at her best in her two most recent starts since being returned from a layoff, and she finished behind today's rival First Whippoorwill in her latest outing.

Grant Park

Stakes placed miss has been in good form lately, and if she can get a fast and contested early pace ahead of her, she's eligible to be rallying herself into the mix through the lane; looking in another direction for the top spot, but a minor award appears to be within her grasp.

First Whippoorwill

She hails from a sharp turf barn and she equaled a career best Beyer Speed Figure in a winning performance in her latest outing; however, it does look like she will have to step it up over that effort to prove to be the one in this spot.

Baal Perazim

This has to be considered an extremely difficult spot for this filly to be seeking her second career win as she's never run a race that is anywhere near strong enough to threaten the top contenders in here.

American Kitty

She's had some success from 12 turf starts but she's had that success sprinting and it's fair to question her ability at today's one mile distance; going to look for her to be involved in the running early on, but the final quarter mile might be tough on her.

Sheza Heartbreaker

She has just one win in her last 26 starts and her recent form hasn't been strong enough to suggest that she can get over on the top contenders in this spot; she has landed her share of second and third place finishes in her career, but the top spot appears to be out of her reach.

Ezpz Lemon Squeeze

Maybe getting back over the Aqueduct turf can be viewed as being a positive for this filly, but she's going to need to produce a career best effort if she's to see her number posted on top after this one is run.

Centrina

She needs to see a scratch from the main body of this race in order to draw in and this looks like it can prove to be a tough test for this miss; third place finisher from latest won next out at Bel on 10/17 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 25k OPC's with an 83 Beyer.

Mah Jong Maddnes

Have to respect the form she's displayed lately, especially those sharp winning performances two and three starts back, and she'll clearly command respect as a contender if she draws in; the outside post isn't ideal, but she'll still have the look of a player.

Bobs Pinup Girl

This might prove to be a difficult spot for this 12-time winner to make her return to New York, especially with an outside post awaiting; she'll probably need to see an early pace meltdown to have a chance to rally herself into the mix; willing to upgrade her chances if this race gets moved to the main track.

Allie Sweet

This event looks like it will come up pretty soft if it has to be taken off the turf and this filly has flashed ability through her first three starts; if she gets to go, this will be an ideal spot for her to get to make her first start for the white-hot Rodriguez barn after a 35k claim.

Race 8

Sidearm

A promising start as he easily won his SAR debut Aug. 30, and they've thought enough of him since to try 3 straight NY-bred stakes, the last 2 being turf routes; well, it's been a mixed bag (5th, 3rd, 8th) to be sure but he's back to dirt, down in class and is wheeled back in a hurry so maybe all that is enough to get him back on track...maybe.

Native Hero

BEL debut Oct. 23 wasn't much but with that under his belt and a class drop he stormed home to whip NY-bred maiden claimers here Nov. 7, despite a sluggish start; Rosario was up that day and stayss put and could be that run is a sign this guy is getting it all figured out, though the Beyer wasn't any great shakes (62) and it's first time vs. winners, so there are hurdles; but geez, you sure have to like the WAY he won.

Sandcat

Came out firing to win his debut at SAR Aug. 22; trouble is, he hasn't been seen since; let's face it, you break into the game that nicely but you then aren't seen for nearly 3 months so that's cause for pause; not only must deal with that layoff but it's first time vs. winners and while he won nicely the Beyer wasn't anything to scare his rivals (62).

Sioux

Looks headed the right way; decent debut 3rd at BEL Sept. 29 was followed by addition of blinkers, more ground (similar to this trip) and a game maiden win there Oct. 25; showed some tactical speed and that he can pass horses, and the Beyer went up nicely; worked since.

Swell

Bided his time early in his Oct. 10 debut at BEL Oct. 10 but finished smarlty to be a game winner; worked very nicely 4 times since, including a bullet 1:01.60B at SAR Nov. 3; Franco was up for that debut run and stays put; won from the rail, no easy feat for a firster, too.

Howaboutwe

Had a race under his belt, added blinkers, caught slop and looked good beating maidens at SAR Aug. 14; things haven't gone so well since, however, though at least they felt good enough about him to try stakes in 2 of those 3 outings; back to dirt today and maybe that can help; it at least bodes well he's handled dirt (dry and wet) and a bullet :36.40B at BEL Nov. 15 encourages.

Samraat

Came out firing to whip maidens in his debut at BEL Oct. 23; yes, that was over maidens only and today it's first time vs. winners but not only was the run visually impressive but the Beyer came back smart (78) and well above what the rest of these have done; worked since and with his pedigree you wouldn't think the added furlong and a half would be a problem - just the opposite, in fact.

Race 9

Belle of the West

Soph has the 2 races under the girth now and the drop can't hurt; she has been around the wire numerous times vs. higher-priced foes; three exited the SAR finale to win next out; she'll need help up front but there does seem to be an honest amount of speed in the cast; respect.

Ivanovna

Finally got there against the small field but she sure came back to earth with a thud; giving up 10 or 15 lengths early on is just not conducive to winning consistently; passing.

Tracy's Belle

Golden Missile about 6% with first-time turf runners in a 225-runner sample; sire took G1 Pim Special, won over $2.1 million, won twice on grass including first time he raced on the stuff; 2 for 13 dam banked nearly $100K, was third in only turf out; 2 of 5 siblings won, both tried grass to no avail; it's not easy to go long for the first time on a new surface.

Concealed

She got away with a very moderate pace and still gave up the ghost; the third and 4th finishers in the 10/17 race won next out; pushed along in last and she does have more speed than she just flashed; Lopez got a chance to figure her out; must be left in the mix.

My Four Rewards

This is the easiest spot since the day she was claimed; decent effort in the July effort but she has gone the dreaded other way since; she has only beaten 1 horse in the last pair; passing.

La Strada

Got there the day she took the biggest drop in the game, ran big at the shore but has gone the dreaded other way since; connections try to shake her up with the blinks this time and she was somewhat boosted when the winner of last repeated in a $50K optional with and 87 Beyer; must pick it up.

Bunhead

Must give her props for flashing career speed in last and she was inching away late; not convinced she was beating anybody last time; the horse that ran second has not raced back but she is 0 for 16.

Kate Is a Ten

Youngster has to prove it in open company; wide in last pair and she may have just been over her head to boot; this is the first time she has been offered for sale since the claim; you would figure it to be an all out go.

Eurokay by Me

Even after the September nose defeat, fans didn't exactly embrace her at 19-1 and they were right on the money; one for 30 is a near impossible number to bet into with any degree of confidence.

Jazzington

A 9-1 shot when proven vs. higher-priced foes three back; the place horse that day took back-to-back $15K claimers but has lost last several; did that May win just knock the starch out of her?; could be as she has been ultra dull since; would tread lightly here.

Blossom's Trail

Toss race two back as she was not herself when acting up; miss has the two races to draw from now and she doesn't have to be 10th early on today; could easily be enticed into gimmick action.

Hidden Music

There are some stamina concerns here; eased and then was getting out the last 2 times she went long and she was off poorly and rank in the other routes tries; would expect rider to try to steal it if the scratches are kind but the feeling is she will blink.

Tantaliza

Soph does not look like a happy horse; eased two back, lunged early in last, now the drop; no speed, no asset; not my kind of play.

Win for Kitten

Face it, some claims just don't work out; you have to fish or cut bait at times and Contessa is cutting it looks like; the 10/20 place horse took an N1X next out with an 82 Beyer; barn tries to strike while the iron is hot; don't ignore.

Taylor Jagger

Crushed in the two efforts vs. winners; connections would love to see her eventually act like top kin and over $325K earner Meadow Blue; would tread lightly here.

Go Olivia Go

She has danced all the dances this year, just not very fast; a big slice two back but the tote went the other way next out to the tune of 21-1 and it proved wise; not sold on chances.