Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Thursday, April 4
Best bet: BEST BET (3)
Best value: STOLEN BASE (7)
FIRST: Shirl's Delight drilled three times since game placing in last; more to come. Ana's Gun has finished second in both starts; runner-up again at short odds. Celestial Express is training swiftly for first start since Feb. 4; don't ignore.
SECOND: Lincolnville Beach fired crisp half-mile breeze since last start; class drop seals the deal. Solib was rested after winning at this class and distance in January; very dangerous. Diva Banker is competitive on best efforts.
THIRD: Best Bet makes first start since claimed after eight-length score in last; pairs up. Patient Capital logs fast figures on "A" game; very dangerous. Harvard would be aided by pace meltdown.
FOURTH: Screw Loose was a useful fourth in first start since brief freshener; forward move predicted. Gun Maestro is a front-end threat on top efforts. Freeze Pop owns fast numbers but takes suspicious price plunge in first start since June; mixed message.
FIFTH: Dolce Veloce owns speed and makes first start with maiden-claiming tag. Zhen Lou will be in the garden spot if top selection wilts in the lane. Accelerina is another that would be aided by pace collapse.
SIXTH: Jolly Miss Jill was a non-stressful sixth in last; more in the tank. Vegas Weekend, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection. owns speed and was a tough-trip third in last; very playable. Peachy Weachy was a determined winner last time at Parx; nice fit with the locals at this level.
SEVENTH: Stolen Base bounced last time after fast-figured win in prior; rebounds. Spun and Won compiled tight work tab for first start in eight weeks; worth long look. Twisted Ride fired eye-catching 5-furlong bullet on March 22 at Parx; right in the thick of this.
EIGHTH: Romantic Charmer displayed improved early foot in last after making late rally in prior; puts it all together today. Irish Tenor owns speed but lacks heart; must take the good with the bad. Boss Tweed (concluded work tab with 5-furlong bullet), Toscano (ships in from Chicago for debut) and Freedsdale (training swiftly) are first-timers in a 10-horse field with seven newcomers.
