Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Friday, Dec. 26
Best bet: ROCK STEADY BABE (2)
Best value: SAILAWAY (5)
FIRST: Carolannie makes first start since claimed after game placing in last; rates close call. Interstatelovesong was a strong second in debut; very playable. Pulling Threads debuts for Chad Brown; follow the money.
SECOND: Rock Steady Babe adds blinkers after tough-trip fifth in debut; forward move predicted. Roseberns Dream is speedy and rested; very interesting. Margarita Molly also is quick from gate and fired half-mile bullet since last; don't ignore.
THIRD: Double Your Money is riding a two-race winning streak; two bullet drills in the interim seal the deal. Dreamlike would be aided by hot pace; dangerous. Waitlist bounced last out; rebound threat.
FOURTH: Grand Commander failed to fire when well bet in first start since six-month layoff; improvement expected. Dr. Insel should be aided by cutback to mile. Sequential drops and makes third start of form cycle; big-time player.
FIFTH: Sailaway tallied swift final fraction when second in last; more to come. Sassafrassness is speedy and could prove tough on a soft lead. Melle Mel was freshened after winning two of last three; right in the thick of this.
SIXTH: Sassy Sats makes first dirt start and first outing with maiden-claiming tag; breakthrough predicted. Baseball Lady regressed last time after clear-cut placing in prior. Makealittlelove bested a next-out winner when second in most recent; worth long look.
SEVENTH: Early On was sidelined after well-beaten eighth in Ky. Oaks in May; ready for return. Off Script broke maidcen by nearly nine lengths last out; dangerous. Giant At Work owns two wins and a third from last three starts; price will be tempting.
EIGHTH: Goodnightgodbless consistently logs fast late-pace figures; call based on price. Reliable Lady was freshened after winning by more than eight lengths on Oct. 29 at Churchill Downs; very playable. Mega Mil could play out as the speed of the speed with aggressive handling.
NINTH: Doc Sullivan visually and numerically impressed when winning last; takes another. The Wine Steward took backward step in last after clear-cut win in prior; more than good enough on "A" effort. Share the Ludt fired two crisp half-mile drills since determined win in last; very interesting.
10TH: Daw Samaa drops and returns to dirt; tight work tab is the clincher. Gypsy Dreaming is fleet-footed and gets class relief; big-time player. Sports Hero could be the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues. Grey Ace was second to a runaway winner in last; don't ignore.
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