Illman: Aqueduct pick five for Sunday, Dec. 14

Let’s try to take down the pick five at Aqueduct.

RACE 1

OH POGGIBONSI (5) has the fast recent race and looms the controlling speed in this juvenile heat. He looks way the horse to beat, and I was very tempted to single him in the wager, only to include SCATTERED DREAMS (4) as a backup. That one was a solid maiden winner in the slop and could be the one should the favorite falter.

A – 5
C – 4

RACE 2

GABBY’S BROWN (3) bobbled at the break before chasing the gate-to-wire winner, a filly who returned to finish second with a 71 Beyer, in vain Nov. 10. She stretches out for the first time, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she grabs an easy early advantage on this field. She has a sibling who won twice at this one-mile distance. I’ll also use BLACK CORONAS (2), a well-bred filly who improved drastically when switched to dirt. FIERY CAT (6) is my backup. She was purchased privately by Kiaran McLaughlin following a key race in Kentucky and adds blinkers for her New York debut.

A – 2, 3
B – 6

RACE 3

BUILDING PERMIT (6) was compromised by a lack of pace in her most recent start, but she should get some help up front this time, her second start of the form cycle for trainer Chad Brown. She’s still a little bit green, so I’ll also use SWEETPOLLYPUREBRD (5). That one chased a good gate-to-wire winner over a speed-favoring track last month and could wind up in the catbird’s seat behind MY SUPER NOVA (2) and FREUDIE ANNE (4). I was tempted to use Freudie Anne as a backup, but she did have the best of it on the lead last time out. Wider tickets should include her, but I need to see it again.

A – 5, 6

RACE 4

McLaughlin broke a 1-for-22 skid with two debut winners Saturday, and he sends out first-time starter PERCHANCE (3) in this maiden special weight. Her dam was a brilliant sprinter – she won the Grade 1 Test at seven furlongs and received five triple-digit Beyers around one turn – and the workouts look quick. If she performs below expectations, perhaps TANTE ZOE (11) will improve with the addition of Lasix and switching to dirt for Leah Gyarmati. She’s a half to the underachieving but fleet Whomping Willow. McLaughlin also has the debut runner FORTRESS (10), a Darley half-sister to the talented runners Bay of Plenty and Fortify. Note that Kiaran’s go-to rider, Irad Ortiz Jr., landed on Perchance.

A – 3, 11
C – 10

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RACE 5

This claiming race is a skull-buster featuring some hard-hitting veterans. ARC ABOVE (7) lost ground every step of the way but still found a way to win his most recent start. NORTH OCEAN (3) got away with an easy lead over a speed-favoring track last time, but it’s possible he’ll receive another decent trip from close to the pace in this spot. SOCIALSAUL (4) has won three races since Halloween for trainer David Jacobson and wouldn’t be a surprise once again. HURRY UP ALAN (6) has run well in his last two starts on dirt and now goes out for a claimer who boasts good numbers off the claim. DAN AND SHEILA (2) attempts to repeat the sprint-to-route/switch to the inner track pattern that resulted in a victory here last year.

A – 3, 7
B – 4, 6
c – 2