Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Friday, April 5
Best bet: THRILL OF IT (7)
Best value: D DAY SKY (1)
FIRST: D Day Sky compiled strong work tab for first start since January; primed and ready. Just Music was a tough-trip second in last and logged two, 5-furlong works in the interim; very dangerous. Causeway has the benefit of the rail at 9 furlongs; must consider.
SECOND: Beachwalker was too near the pace when sixth in last; return to rating tactics is the key. Aztec never got going in the slop last time; better on dry land. Optic Way makes quick return after speed and fade on Saturday; very interesting.
THIRD: Critical Threat gets confident class boost in first start since claimed. Business Model packs potent late kick on best efforts. Dot's Dollar owns fast back numbers.
FOURTH: Masterwork gets favorable cutback in distance. Magia Nera, an uncoupled barn mate of top pick, has finished second in last two; runner-up again? Wanna Winna regressed in last after hard-fought win in prior; rebound threat.
FIFTH: Deputy Connect owns field's fastest late-pace figures on "A" efforts. Gun Maestro is a front-end threat on best races. Opportunity Set logged only win this surface and distance last fall; don't ignore.
SIXTH: Shinfull drops after even fourth in first start since June; forward move predicted. Honest Banker is speedy and could prove very tough if able to handle the 7-furlong trip. Devilly took backward step in last after clear-cut win in prior; price will be tempting.
SEVENTH: Thrill of It holds razor-sharp current condition; keeps on giving. Masrour is fleet-footed and could play out as the speed of the speed with heads-up handling. Emerald Forest could be ideally positioned behind front-end duel; must consider.
EIGHTH: Whenlovetakesover owns speed and is ideally positioned outside; rates close call. Independent Paul tallied fast late-pace and final figures in last; dangerous. Notah was second to a repeat winner last time; right in the thick of this. Borletti is another that exits key race; must be factored into the mix.
