Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Friday, March 1
Best bet: VENGE (3)
Best value: BLUE PLATE SPECIAL (4)
FIRST: La Decente drops into maiden-claimer after non-threatening eighth in debut; improvement predicted. Mambagigi will prove very tough on a soft lead. War Terminatrix is from a dam that has produced five winners from seven foals to race; very interesting.
SECOND: Jacobson entry: Sunrise Journey owns speed and drops and mate Striking Speed consistently fires big efforts; potent pairing. Heir Port is fresh and training sharply. Swift Tap makes third start of form cycle; don't ignore.
THIRD: Venge made middle move and weakened last time; class drop and cutback in distance make the difference. Le Bar has failed in two efforts to reproduce fast figure earned in debut; mixed message. Badge of War makes first dirt start; worth long look.
FOURTH: Blue Plate Special visually and numerically impressed when winning last; pairs up. Kant Beat the Rock also was a good-looking victor in last start; dangerous. Borletti, another last-race winner, makes first start since claimed by Rick Dutrow; right in the thick of this.
FIFTH: Run Devil tallied improved internal and final numbers in last; more to come. Dreamawayseven is fresh and gets class relief; price will be tempting. Suspended Campaign owns fast back numbers; don't ignore.
SIXTH: Midnight Trouble was compromised by soft splits when a game second in last; better setup today. Reddington is riding a three-race winning streak; very dangerous. Macallan was a useful third in last; must consider.
SEVENTH: Sagamore Mischief was dueled into defeat last time; softer flow expected. Life Changer could be in the garden if pace meltdown ensues. Laffitte's Fleet is another that would benefit if fractions get hot and hectic.
EIGHTH: Rocco Strong drew off to nearly five-length score last out; faster back numbers. No Burn was second to a repeat winner in last; very playable. Leading Contender consistently logs swift numbers; likely underlay. Dee Jay was done in by poor start in Laurel stakes last time; very interesting.
