Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Saturday, March 2
Best bet: CAPITAL IDEA (10)
Best value: SHIPSATIONAL (6)
FIRST: Brooklyn Dantz tallied improved pace figure in last; weakness of field helps. Mitole's Girl was done in by fast fractions in debut; worth long look. Mary Union Ave should move forward with race under belt.
SECOND: Masterwork is fresh and owns positional speed when ridden properly. Modern Era could impact if pace meltdown ensues. Memphis was a determined winner in last; must consider.
THIRD: Jay's Love drilled twice since making forward move in last; more to come. Maxing the Bank was an improved third at 27-1 last time; very interesting. Accelerina should pack enhanced kick with cutback to sprint.
FOURTH: Liberty Flame won by more than seven lengths last out; keeps on giving. George's Vice is speedy and can prove very tough on a soft lead. Reigning Chick was a clear-cut second in last; dangerous.
FIFTH: Pit Boss drops after enduring tough trip in last. First Glimpse makes first start since moving to Rick Dutrow barn; worth long look. Full Moon Fever compiled tight work tab for first start since Jan. 4; don't ignore.
SIXTH: Shipsational is training swiftly for first start in 11 weeks; ready. Radio Red was properly given recovery time after top-figured win on Jan. 18; very playable. Hero's Medal tallied solid late-pace figure when breaking maiden in most recent; hard to ignore any Linda Rice-trained runner right now.
SEVENTH: Regulatory Risk has trained strongly since breaking maiden on Dec. 30; gets black type. Gin Gin was rested after winning Busanda last time; dangerous. Jody's Pride has logged fast figures in all three starts; likely underlay.
EIGHTH: Laughing Boy projects as the main speed with heads-up handling. Petulante owns four wins and two seconds from six starts; first start for Rick Dutrow. Double Crown could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat; big-time player.
NINTH: Rotknee withstood pace pressure to win last; close call in contentious Tom Fool Handicap. Listentoyourheart holds razor-sharp current form and fast back numbers; very interesting. Super Chow exits front-running score in Toboggan last time; right in the thick of this.
10TH: Capital Idea has trained sharply since breaking maiden by more than eight lengths last time; 3-year-old with a future. Maximus Meridius owns sprinter's speed and could prove very tough on an unchallenged lead. Bergen drew off to impressive score the first time he touched Big A loam; must be factored into the mix. Just a Touch, an uncoupled barn mate of Bergen, lived up to heavy tote support when a clear-cut winner in debut at Fair Grounds; must consider.
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