Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Friday, Feb. 6
Best bet: TWO BITS (8)
Best value: SKYLANDER (7)
FIRST: Moe Eighty Eight tallied sizzling final fraction when winning second in row last out; keeps on giving. Prince Valiant could play out as the dominant speed with aggressive handling. Bermuda Blitz regressed last time after determined win in prior; rebound threat.
SECOND: Lucille Ball has won both career starts by a combined 15 1/4 lengths; more to come. Her Laugh tallied swift late-pace figure when fourth in last at Gulfstream; very dangerous. Just Katherine logged four tight works for first start in eight weeks; must consider.
THIRD: Gypsy Dreaming was a front-running maiden winner in last; takes another. Lean Music Machine fired 3-furlong bullet after regressing in last; dangerous. Hard to Say makes first start since claimed by Linda Rice; must be factored into the mix.
FOURTH: Victory Way is fresh and should be favorably positioned in compact field. Maximus Meridius was a top-figured winner in last at Parx; bounces today? Be You could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
FIFTH: Complex Agenda did the dirty work up front when fourth in last; can make clear early lead with heads-up handling. Turn and Count, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection, could be ideally positioned if Complex Agenda is improperly ridden. Did It Dialed is rested and training with a purpose.
SIXTH: Weigh the Risks has won five of last six starts for Chad Brown; paltry price is the problem. Bernietakescharge owns speed and razor-sharp current form; big-time threat. Scalable could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues.
SEVENTH: Skylander gets class relief after making forward move in last; more to give. Aleah Aleah is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Run Happy Pappy runs late and could be aided by stretch to mile. Mister Holden has won four of last five and fired half-mile bullet for first NYRA outing; must be factored into the mix.
EIGHTH: Two Bits took backward step in last after clear-cut maiden win in last; rebounds. Interstatelovesong, a front-end maiden winner in last, could play out as the main speed once again. Shilling also is fleet-footed and outworked 130 rivals in half-mile bullet on Jan. 22; right in the thick of this.
NINTH: Waitlist was done in by wide trip in last; takes forward step today. Chillax is working sharply for first start since gelded; very playable. Georgia Magic was dueled into defeat last time; could prove tough with softer flow.
10TH: Mailata numerically and visually impressed when winning by 19 lengths at Parx last out; ready for prime time. Schoolyardsuperman fits Chad Brown's signature pattern; worth long look. Grittiness has the benefit of the rail at 1 1/8 miles; don't ignore.
11TH: Queen Sally gets added ground after improved fourth in last; throw deep in wide-open nightcap. Into Hijinks was a game second in debut at Parx; very playable. Raynham Hall gets Lasix for first dirt start for Rudy Rodriguez; very interesting. Greek Goddess debuts for potent first-out stable; follow the money.
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