Aqueduct horses to watch: Week of Dec. 7

JUBA
Trainer: Jimmy Jerkens
Last race: Nov. 30, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 2 1/2
Beyer: 78
This $250,000 colt by Tapit lugged in a bit greenly in the stretch while searching for room, finished with good courage to just miss the runner-up spot, and galloped out strongly. Ample room to improve off that debut.

MEET THE METS
Trainer: David Jacobson
Last race: Nov. 29, 6th
Finish: 3rd by 7
Beyer: 69
Coming off a two-month layoff and a barn change, this 3-year-old gelding added blinkers and showed improved early speed, dueling for the lead to the stretch against the favored The Truth and K G, who was dropping in class.

DAME DOROTHY
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last race: Nov. 30, 2nd
Finish: 1st by 1/2
Beyer: 71
Bet to favoritism for her unveiling but missed the break to spot everyone a head start, looped the field five wide on the turn, and finished determinedly to get up in time. Celebrity chef Bobby Flay has himself a $390,000 daughter of Bernardini who is both talented and game.

WICKED STRONG
Trainer: Jimmy Jerkens
Last race: Nov. 30, 9th
Finish: 3rd by 1/2
Beyer: 87
Garnered his maiden victory with Lasix added second out and continued to improve when thrown into the deep end in the Remsen Stakes, narrowing the gap late through the fastest part of the race.