Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Thursday, Feb. 29
Best bet: I LOVE CARA (1)
Best value: DOC ADVANTAGE (8)
FIRST: I Love Cara was a last-to-first maiden winner in most recent; crisp half-mile drill on Feb. 10 seals the deal. Steady Progress should be aided by cutback to mile. Youbetterbejoking owns fast figures but will offer short price; must take the good with the bad.
SECOND: Lady Mine gets favorable cutback to 6 furlongs. Sue Ellen Mishkin benefited from slow splits when besting top selection by a neck last time; logical. Shinfull compiled tight work tab for first start since June; must consider.
THIRD: Shesalittle Edgy gets confident price hike after front-end score last out; more to come. It Takes Heart is speedy, rested and owns swift numbers; dangerous. Dame Cinco bounced last time after fast-figured placing in prior; rebound threat.
FOURTH: Screw Loose projects as the controlling speed with heads-up handling. South Street looms the prime beneficiary if top selection hits the wall. Gun Maestro drops in first start since claimed by Linda Rice; fire sale?
FIFTH: Rose's Pepino ships in from West Virginia with Charles Town-based rider; nice fit with the locals at this level. Union Fleet, a Maryland shipper, won last and owns faster back figures; dangerous. Horse Be With You should be aided by turnback to mile; must consider.
SIXTH: Portos was compromised by slow fractions last time; best potential price of the contenders. Winning Connection is speedy and drops; big-time player. H P Moon is rested and owns swift numbers; must be factored into the mix.
SEVENTH: Run for Your Honey tallied swift late-pace figure when winning last; takes another. Next On Stage was a hand-ridden maiden winner in most recent; worth long look. Progeny needed last; don't ignore.
EIGHTH: Doc Advantage logs fast final fractions on best efforts; fresh and ready. Thank You Jon could prove very tough on a soft lead. Dr. Kraft packs solid kick; must respect. Light Man owns a win and a second in two starts; be no surprise.
