Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for April 16 through April 19
Thursday, April 16
Best Bet: MORNING PRAYER (8)
Best Value: HEY TOBY (2)
FIRST: Lady Delilah is 0-for-19 but fired bullet work since useful fourth in last start; weak field helps, too. She's Bankable drops after front-end third in last; dangerous. My Girl Aubree also was third in last and could have more to give in second start since claimed.
SECOND: Hey Toby regressed last time after clear-cut win in prior. Sharp Spark has the rail and will be aided by cutback to shorter route. Laughing Boy makes third start of form cycle and is competitive on best efforts.
THIRD: Sounds Like Fun displayed improved speed in first start since nine-month layoff last out; forward move predicted. Noguchi also owns speed and gets confident price boost; very interesting. Reign It In took backward step in last after placings in prior two starts; must consider.
FOURTH: Liam's Diva could play out as the speed of the speed in season's first turf race. I'm Very Sweet makes grass debut for Chad Brown; obvious threat. Mermaid could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues.
FIFTH: Academia fits Chad Brown's signatures pattern; rail draw seals the deal. Tax Holiday, also from the Brown barn, never fired when favored in debut at Tampa in February; dangerous. Angels Envy was a useful fourth on Fair Grounds grass last month; worth long look.
SIXTH: Stickupwithoutagun is firing bullets for first start since October; ready. Wamo consistently delivers strong efforts; big-time player. B Thedonald was rested after determined maiden win on Feb. 4; right in the thick of this.
SEVENTH: One Last Knock projects as the main speed with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Olivia's Grace could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat; very playable. Highway Harmony is rested and is fleet-footed and owns fast figures; must be factored into the mix.
EIGHTH: Morning Prayer tallied solid late-pace figure when second in lone grass start last fall; first-time Lasix is the clincher. Mama Rock Me could capitalize on unchallenged lead in turf debut. Ticket to Ride is rested and working with a purpose at Palm Meadows training center; very interesting. Island Charm is firing bullets on Fair Hill training track; worth long look.
Friday, April 17
Best Bet: ORGONITE (4)
Best Value: EZ ROLL (6)
FIRST: Vino Frizzante makes quick return, drops and should be favorably positioned in weak opener. Malu owns fast back numbers; worth long look. Reliable Lady was a clear-cut second in last; must consider.
SECOND: Curlin's Magic gets class relief after non-stressful fifth in last; forward move predicted. Coquito fires big efforts with machinelike consistency. Golden Eib Micrphn bounced last time after fast-figured win in prior; very interesting.
THIRD: Mo for the King drilled twice since top-figured score last out; pairs up. Gypsy Dreaming is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Social Hour also is quick from gate and has shown the ability to withstand pace pressure.
FOURTH: Orgonite is training with a purpose for first start for suddenly live Dave Donk barn. Double Act displayed newfound speed in last start; worth long look. Quiet Power owns two seconds on Big A sod; must be factored into the mix.
FIFTH: Shore War fired crisp half-mile drill since subpar effort on Turfway's artificial footing; throw deep in wide-open turf sprint. Sweet Montreal is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Dangherecomesshang and Di Natale are uncoupled runners from the Wes Ward barn; logical contenders.
SIXTH: Ez Roll rolled past a next-out winner when a clear-cut victor last out; takes another. Gamebred exits sprints and should be favorably positioned near the front; very interesting. Kaz Oil Changer also is speedy and owns two seconds at the distance; don't ignore.
SEVENTH: Do Gooder is quick from gate and can prove very tough to collar on an unchallenged lead. Oversubscribed (multiple stakes winner), Al Jafara (fast late-pace figures) and Accent (3-for-3) are three uncoupled runners from Chad Brown barn; what a game.
EIGHTH: Eye On the Ball looms the main speed if able to escape AE list. Deacon Blues logged five tight works for switch to sod. Twirling Lad is rested and gets first-time Lasix. Dinghy Bar owns two seconds on Big A turf; right in the thick of this. Poppy's Ticket, an improved fifth in last, owns fast back figures.
Saturday, April 18
Best Bet: KADENA (3)
Best Value: NORDIC FYRE (9)
FIRST: Sunshine Lily compiled tight work tab for first start in seven weeks; main speed with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Helen's Revenge was a fast-figured winner in last but has regressed after previous victories; you've been warned. Cloudy Chance exits front-running score in last; must be considered.
SECOND: Trail of Gold logged fast-figured win on Big A sod last spring; history repeats. Scarlett's Halo fits Chad Brown's signature pattern; be no surprise. Pookie tallied only score on Aqueduct grass; don't dismiss.
THIRD: Kadena projects as the main speed with heads-up handling. Always Practical almost always fires big efforts; logical contender. Filly Freedom consistently logs solid numbers; must consider.
FOURTH: Solitude Dude will be aided by cutback to 7 furlongs. Racetrack Romance gets tested for class after winning three of five in Pennsylvania. Igniter is 3-for-4 on Big A loam; worth long look.
FIFTH: Cosmic Candy Girl must overcome tough post but owns an edge on late-pace and final figures. Lonchura can pose a front-end threat on best efforts. Quick Power Nap could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
SIXTH: Sicilian Dancer compiled tight work tab for first start since New Year's Day; ready. Pilot Knob should be favorably positioned near the top with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Nowucme Nowudont hails from Mike Maker barn and displayed late kick in lone grass start; don't ignore.
SEVENTH: Kenny Be was a clear-cut second in first start since eight-month absence; more to come. Solo Dancing is riding a forward line on the numbers; price will be tempting. Fireballin is fresh and is effective from on or off the pace; must be factored into the mix.
EIGHTH: Exact Estimate is rested, training with a purpose and should be favorably positioned near the front in bulky field. Pass the Hat fired crisp 3-furlong drill since useful fourth in last; very interesting. Intellect returns from layoff with consistent work tab for Chad Brown; obvious threat.
NINTH: Nordic Fyre has trained sharply since late-running third in debut this past December; primed. Bakuto was a clear-cut second in debut; could easily take this. Lord King is speedy and must be factored into the mix. Irish Goodbye drilled three times since game placing in first start; right in the thick of this.
Sunday, April 19
Best Bet: CITY OF OSCARS (6)
Best Value: CENTRAL SPIRIT (8)
FIRST: Bright Kohana looms the main speed on the rail with proper ride. Current Climate takes troubling price plunge for Linda Rice; proceed with caution. Problematica should be aided by cutback to 6 furlongs.
SECOND: Mz Big Bucks, 2-for-5 on Big A turf, is rested and training consistently. Sporting Lady owns fast numbers but has six seconds from 12 starts; be wary at short price. Modarosa makes third start of form cycle; must consider.
THIRD: Pinky Brier was claimed after dominant score in last; yields quick dividends. Current Yield is a fresh and sharply-training runner for Chad Brown; be no surprise. Galinda owns two wins and a second from three starts; logical, short-priced player.
FOURTH: Fast and Frisky is riding a two-race winning streak; more to come. Always Laughing is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Big Dig won last and was second to top selection on Feb. 13; right in the thick of this.
FIFTH: Griffin's Wharf could play out as the controlling speed with heads-up handling. Gun Barrel City logged lone win on Aqueduct turf last spring; dangerous. Goncora, from Chad Brown barn, owns two wins and two seconds from four starts; guaranteed underlay.
SIXTH: City of Oscars returns for grass for Mark Casse; forward move predicted. Cloud Music is fleet-footed and could prove very tough to collar on a soft lead. Roar of the Crowd logged four tight works since moving to the capable Greg DiPrima barn; don't ignore.
SEVENTH: Bam's Bliss Kiss has tallied five straight wire-to-wire wins; hope aboard for the ride. Sweet Brown Sugar could be the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues. Collect the Data has won five of last six; obviously can take another.
EIGHTH: Central Spirit projects as the main speed in first start with maiden-claiming tag. Inonit should pack amplified wallop with cutback to 7 furlongs; very dangerous. El Paco was second to a repeat winner in last; big-time threat. Chris's Song is rested and adds blinkers and drops for Linda Rice; must be factored into the mix.
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