Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Friday, Nov. 4
Best bet: RIGBY (5)
Best value: KING JAMES (2)
FIRST: Avant has trained sharply since non-threatening seventh in debut; move to dirt is key. Serena's Court concluded work tab with 5-furlong bullet; follow the money. Guns n' Graces (first timer) and Fireline (one start) are uncoupled runners from Chad Brown barn; happy hunting.
SECOND: King James is training sharply for first start since gelded; ready to roll. Necromancer bested two next-out winners when a determined maiden victor last out; very playable. Devilly also broke maiden in most recent start; don't ignore.
THIRD: Keeper of Time drilled three times since hard-charging placing in last; more to come. Athwaaq is fresh and owns positional speed; worth long look. Amalfi Princess, another that can be near lead, owns competitive numbers on best efforts.
FOURTH: Shanes Pretty Lady logged most recent win when returning from similar layoff; history repeats. Cinderella's Cause owns speed and drops; dangerous. Big Tony's Girl logged both wins on Big A loam; must consider.
FIFTH: Rigby owns sprinter's speed and could play out as the controlling front-runner with aggressive rider aloft. Control Function logged fast numbers in all three starts; likely underlay. Any Port could impact at fat ticket if pace meltdown ensues.
SIXTH: Bank Holiday moves to dirt after bolting in debut; improvement predicted. Highway Harmony coughed up a clear lead in well-bet debut; disappoints again? Clover Street was second to a 10-length winner in debut; very interesting.
SEVENTH: Love Tank was a change-of-pace fourth in last; set for breakthrough. Positive Message is fleet-footed and should be aided by today's shorter trip. Sweetlou'sgotaces regressed in last after fast-figured placing in debut; right in the thick of this.
EIGHTH: Mia Bea Star was pace- and positioned-compromised when second last time; call based on price potential. Know It All Audrey bested top selection last week when taking advantage of moderate fractions; vulnerable? New York Banker bounced in last after sharp third two back; rebound threat.
NINTH: Battle Bling battled gamely to win last at Laurel; takes another. Coach was a strong second to top selection on Oct. 1; very dangerous. First to Act owns two wins and four seconds from six starts; hard to ignore.
10TH: Red Hot Chick has worked three times since improved third in last; rates call if able to escape AE list. Kara Para has delivered strong efforts in both starts; dangerous. The Splendid One could play out as the main speed in first grass start; price will be tempting. Sweetness is from a dam that has produced three grass winners; must consider. Bomb Squad debuts for Christophe Clement; stay tuned to the tote.
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