Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Friday, April 15
Best bet: AGILITY (7)
Best value: GAILHORSEWIND (9)
FIRST: Aunt Naughty is rested, adds blinkers and fired bullet drill for return; set for best. First to Act, an uncoupled barn mate of top pick, was a clear-cut second behind a 10-length winner in debut; dangerous. Lakota Spirit has finished second in both starts; logical.
SECOND: Bail Out is 0-for-25 but meets woeful bunch; now or never. King of Sting displayed improved speed when third last time; heading in the right direction. Al's Prince switches to grass for Todd Pletcher; desperation move?
THIRD: Wow is fresh and packs potent kick on "A" game; call based on price potential. Secret Love consistently logs fast late-pace and final figures on dirt; vulnerable favorite with move to turf. Tasweya ships in from Parx for capable stable; very interesting.
FOURTH: Violent Point could get the early jump in compact field. Barista Vixen will be sitting in the garden if top pick hits the wall in the lane. Baba is fleet-footed and could make life miserable for those who wager on Violent Point; pace makes the race.
FIFTH: Star of India fits the classic Chad Brown pattern; hop along for the ride. Charley Rude moves to grass for Christophe Clement after firing 5-furlong bullet last week; very playable. Naked On the Beach has the benefit of the rail on tight-turned course; must be factored into the mix.
SIXTH: Mr. Buckley, a determined maiden winner in last, could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat. Extreme should pack enhanced kick with cutback to sprint. Bezos owns speed and could prove very tough on an unchallenged lead.
SEVENTH: Agility logged two sharp drills since even second in last; more to come. Kid d'Oro took backward step in last after pairing up fast-figured wins; big-time rebound potential. Son of an Ex drops and gets appropriate turnback; very playable.
EIGHTH: Ghost Giant owns a win on Big A sod and is working swiftly for first outing since November; ready to roll. So High also is a winner on the Aqueduct grass and distance could be right in his wheelhouse. Lonesome Fugitive is fresh and hails from Chad Brown barn; be no surprise.
NINTH: Gailhorsewind delivered her career-best effort on grass last spring; throw deep in wide-open nightcap. Thisladyis the Law is rested and could be perfectly suited by 6 furlongs on the turf; rates big-time player. Thismightbetheone drops and gets favorable cutback to sprint; very dangerous. Cadencia owns five seconds from nine starts; burns more cash?
