Litfin: Aqueduct horses to watch for week of Feb. 20
PRAIRIE STONE
Trainer: Steve Klesaris
Last race: Feb. 18, 6th
Finish: 4th by neck
Beyer: 79
New York-bred mare returned from a 53-day layoff, switched from turf to dirt the second time for her current trainer, and recorded a lifetime-top Beyer Speed Figure despite breaking in the air and encountering some traffic in the stretch against second-level optional-claiming types.
BE A HERO
Trainer: David Jacobson
Last race: Feb. 19, 3rd
Finish: 3rd by 3/4
Beyer: 85
Raced wide around the turn and finished willingly behind a couple of in-form opponents while against the grain of an inside-speed-favoring track; lightly raced 6-year-old sprinter might prove to be a prescient pickup by new barn.
GOLD HAWK
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Last race: Feb. 18, 7th
Finish: 2nd by 2 3/4
Beyer: 74
His stock has fallen since being highly regarded early on the 2014 Triple Crown trail, but he turned in an improved effort when brought back from a 3 1/2-month layoff and making his first start as a gelding; has some back class.