Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for April 3 and April 4
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
Best bet: CALL ME JAL (4)
Best value: WIDDERSHINS (6)
FIRST: Khali's Storm compiled tight work tab for first start since June; weak field helps, too. Bengalese was a much-improved second in last; dangerous. Gran Judgement drops and should move forward in second start; must consider.
SECOND: Lucky Larry never got going in the slop last time; first-time Lasix and dry land are keys. Mercilesanihilator was a subpar fourth when wide in last; don't ignore. Kid Rich could play out as the speed of the speed with Kendrick Carmouche aboard.
THIRD: Mitolegayne fired two bullet works since last start; main speed with proper ride. Judge Boushay makes second start for Chad Brown after useful third in debut; very dangerous. Who's Your Zaddy was more than 10 lengths clear of third runner when second in debut; right in the thick of this.
FOURTH: Call Me Jal is rested and gets blinkers and Lasix; breakthrough predicted. Smart Sugar was an improved second in last; dangerous. Asset Light and Directive are uncoupled newcomers from Chad Brown barn; what a game.
FIFTH: Yolo spun her wheels on Turfway's all-weather surface last time; return to Big A loam is key. So Vain was a game second in last; dangerous. Flee is riding a forward line on the numbers; don't ignore.
SIXTH: Widdershins owns speed and gets class relief; nice race to throw deep. Mia Nipotina could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Spirit of Esther is fleet-footed but lacks heart; handle with care at short ticket.
SEVENTH: Seeker's Hope is quick from gate and could prove tough to collar on a soft lead. Superpower has finished second at short odds in last two; another placing? Playa Del Mar owns fast figures and makes first start since claimed by Linda Rice; must be factored into the mix.
EIGHTH: Skylander wheels back in a hurry after non-stressful third last week; more to give. Texas Red Hot runs late and could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Bar Fourteen is a front-end threat on "A" game. Sagamore Mischief drops after being eased in last; damaged goods?
SATURDAY, APRIL 4
Best Bet: FAST AND FRISKY (5)
Best Value: SANSONE (9)
FIRST: Intentious regressed in last after fast-figured in prior. Paula's a Star is training with a purpose for first start since last summer. Kadena is riding a three-race winning streak; big-time player.
SECOND: Awesome Native was a clear-cut second behind a runaway winner in last; more to come. Porosity has won three of last four; logical contender. Soze owns speed and makes third start of form cycle; worth long look.
THIRD: Interceptor gets litmus test after winning two in a row. Yo Daddy logs fast figures with machine-like consistency. Omaha Omaha could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
FOURTH: Georgia Magic, an improved third in last, is favorably posted on rail today. Waitlist packs potent kick on "A" efforts. Fort Nelson owns speed and has won two straight; right in the thick of this.
FIFTH: Fast and Frisky tallied fast late-pace figure when winning second in row; takes another. She's Grand is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Early On exits powerful score in last; must be considered.
SIXTH: Rated by Merit, 5-for-5, returns from layoff for Chad Brown; ready. Book'em Danno, last year's top male sprinter, could easily take compact but contentious Carter. Point Dume is fresh and owns fast figures on best efforts; don't ignore.
SEVENTH: Blenheim Baby tallied solid final fraction when winning last; pairs up. Current Climate makes third start of form cycle; worth long look. Mitole's Girl is speedy and is rested; very interesting.
EIGHTH: Adventurist will move forward with cutback to mile. Willintoriskitall took backward step in last after fast-figured win in prior; bounce-back threat. Fiddling Felix logged three tight works for first start in eight weeks; don't ignore.
NINTH: Sansone notched swift late-pace figure when breaking maiden last out; more to come. Incentive Pay owns a win and two thirds from three starts; be no surprise. Trust Fund, a clear-cut winner in last, shows a history of stringing victories together.
TENTH: Hold Your Breath could play out as the speed with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Takethemoneyhoney owns seven wins and three seconds from 10 starts; need more? With the Angels is another seven-time winner; ultra-contentious Distaff.
ELEVENTH: Two Bits has trained sharply since winning last. Hot Gossip is riding a two-race winning streak; dangerous. Paradise, another that has won two in a row, owns speed and starts from the fence.
TWELFTH: Napoleon Solo has trained swiftly since empty effort in Fountain of Youth; improvement predicted. Buetane could impact if pace meltdown ensues. Iron Honor is 2-for-2 but must overcome daunting post; mixed message. Talk to Me Jimmy is speedy and could prove tough on a soft lead.
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