Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Saturday, April 6
Best Bet: FIND YOUR JOY (11)
Best Value: STJAMES (7)
FIRST: Arteta is training sharply for first start since September; new gelding and Lasix seal the deal. Laser Sharp has finished second in all three starts; runner-up again? Supremacy Class debuts for Chad Brown; need more?
SECOND: Kazmike logged fast numbers in all three starts at the Big A in spring of 2022; ready for return. Little Luca is speedy and fresh; dangerous. Persistent Danger could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
THIRD: Jacobson entry Clem Labine owns fast late-pace figures on best efforts and mate Majestic Eagle drops after failing to handle mud last time. Striking Speed makes third start of form cycle. Digital is rested and drops; mixed message.
FOURTH: Post Time fired 5-furlong bullet since winning Gen. George at Laurel; ready for prime time. Super Chow is speeding and riding a two-race winning streak. Petulante is right in the thick of this on "A" efforts.
FIFTH: My Kinda Mischief is speedy and gets the meds; rates close call in wide-open maiden dash. Calling an Audible looms the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues. Focus Pocus is a front-running threat that must be factored into the mix.
SIXTH: Ain't Broke logged two 5-furlong works since winning last; more to come. Hot Fudge, an uncoupled barn mate of top pick, has won seven of last nine starts; big-time player. Fingal's Cafe is 1-for-1 on Big A loam; worth long look.
SEVENTH: Stjames tallied swift final fraction when winning last; call based on price. Reddington, 2-for-2 at the Big A, could prove very tough on a soft lead. Bendoog adds blinkers and Lasix after failing at 50 cents on the dollar in U.S. debut; must consider.
EIGHTH: Gin Gin logged three tight works since third last time; forward move predicted. Whocouldaskformo tallied fast final figures in SoCal and has the benefit of the rail at 9 furlongs. Life Talk was a front-end winner in lone start at Aqueduct.
NINTH: Mission Beach was freshened after coming up blank in mud last time; dry land makes the difference. Maximus Meridius should be aided by cutback to 7 furlongs. Proprietary Trade was a "geared down" maiden winner in last start; potential underlay.
TENTH: Deterministic notched swift late-pace figures when winning both starts; more to come. Lonesome Boy owns positional speed in bulky field; very interesting. Merit ships in from South Florida for Saffie Joseph; worth long look.
ELEVENTH: Find Your Joy regressed last time after much-improved placing in prior; rebounds. Granadilla compiled tight work tab for first start since last fall; dangerous. Better Be Smart was a two-move third in debut; right in the thick of this. Mommasgottagun (concluded training with 5-furlong bullet) and Shehanah (from a dam that has produced two winners) are newcomers that must be factored into the mix if the money shows.
