Dave Litfin's Aqueduct handicapping notebook April 16

Saturday, April 12, review

Similarly to Friday, when all seven dirt winners were no worse than second at any point of call, early speed was a prerequisite for success in Saturday’s six dirt races, all of which were one-turn events no longer than 7 1/2 furlongs. Five winners either led throughout or were second, within a half-length of the lead after the opening quarter-mile; the lone exception was Salutos Amigos (8th, $3.60), who is now 2 for 2 for David Jacobson. Even though Salutos Amigos came from next-to-last in a field of five, he was only two lengths off the pace after a half-mile.

The track was quick, by as much as 22 to 23 Beyer points (about eight lengths).

The turf course continued to favor off-the-pace types, as all three grass winners rallied from the rear-half of the field, beginning with Front (1st, $6.10), who stayed perfect (3 for 3) on Big A grass after turning back fellow horse-for-course Idle American in a first-level allowance for the very live barn of Jimmy Jerkens. Idle American, clearly second best with a good late run, is 3-2-0 from six starts over the surface.

David Donk annually has his grass horses ready to go in April, and this spring has been no exception. A day after sending out Truly Mizzed for a solid runner-up finish behind a heavily bet Chad Brown-trained import, Donk saddled Selenite (7th, $7.40), who surged late to edge 10-1 Milkyyourway in a first-level allowance for New York-bred fillies and mares. Selenite is 2 for 3 on turf, her only loss in the Grade 3 Miss Grillo last fall.

Race 5 turned out to be a “two-speed number,” as Carried Interest ($6.30) stalked Green Gratto en route to a second-level allowance win with a career best 96 Beyer Figure.

HORSES TO WATCH
Grand Strand
Trainer: Jimmy Jerkens
Last race: April 12, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 3 1/4
Beyer: 68

Like his Kentucky Derby-bound stablemate Wicked Strong, this $300,000 3-year-old colt by Tiznow improved off his races at Gulfstream Park, and though unable to catch even-money winner Divine Energy, finished best of the rest by over seven lengths in a maiden special at seven furlongs.

Wednesday, April 16, preview

Just nine racing days remain at the spring meet. Turf racing finally got going last week after being delayed by the harsh winter, and Mother Nature may throw a monkey wrench into Wednesday’s two allowance races, both of which were scheduled for turf. Thunderstorms were forecast as a virtual sure thing Tuesday, with a half-inch or so of rain expected and locally heavier rainfall possible.

If race 5 stays on and is run over rain-softened ground, that will benefit Balashkova. She would be first-time Lasix in her United States debut for Chad Brown, and won on heavy going in her native France. Last Friday, Fizzy Pink ($4.20) joined the ever-growing list of horses to win their U.S. turf debuts for Brown.

In race 8, Tapitation has a good chance to make amends for a defeat at 3-5 first time in allowance company, no matter the surface. He’s on a favorable Beyer pattern after “pairing up” 70s going long on the inner dirt, and has license to like turf. His dam, Derrianne, captured a Grade 3 turf stake first time in the U.S., and she has produced Cheeky, a two-time winner in France last year.