Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Friday, March 22
Best bet: MISCHIEF MOTION (2)
Best value: DOLCE VELOCE (8)
FIRST: Hot Rod Rumble is fleet-footed and drops; price will be paltry, however. Face Abarrio also is quick from gate and owns fast back figures. Fight Fiercely could be the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues.
SECOND: Mischief Motion should pack intensified wallop with cutback to 7 furlongs. Autumn fired half-mile bullet on March 12; worth long look. Eastern Star owns two seconds and two thirds from six starts; must consider.
THIRD: Chateau logged swift internal and final numbers when winning by more than six lengths last time; more to come. High Heat, another last-race winner, could fall through the cracks in the wagering; very interesting. Talkin Pharoah also won last and must be factored into the mix.
FOURTH: Two Redheads has been on the bench since last October but holds an edge on the numbers on "A" efforts. Army of Thoughts regressed in last after front-running score in prior; rebound threat. Ms Hayley could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
FIFTH: Shipsational was a useful fifth in first start since three-month layoff; forward move predicted. Magical Ways overcame rough trip to win last; dangerous. Macallan makes third start of form cycle; worth long look.
SIXTH: Killy Start fired swift 5-furlong work for first start in two months; ready. Sister Linda was a tough-trip second in last; dangerous. Vintage could play out as the main speed. Trade Secret would be aided by fast fractions.
SEVENTH: Horse Be With You projects as the controlling speed with proper ride. Clever Forever could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat. Provision could impact at fat number if pace meltdown ensues.
EIGHTH: Dolce Veloce owns speed and gets Lasix; three tight works since last start seal the deal. Geopolitics was a hard-fought second in debut; regresses today? Peony, just a half-length behind Geopolitics in first start, notched crisp half-mile breeze last week. Inflammabelle also has trained sharply since debut; must be factored into the mix.
