Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Saturday, Feb. 7
Best bet: COMBAT MISSION (9)
Best value: BIG DIG (1)
FIRST: Big Dig compiled four tight works for first local start; primed and ready. Princess Ny exits determined win for Linda Rice barn last out; dangerous. Meg's Foxy Grey is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead.
SECOND: Graceful Rose was a willing second in last; slight cutback seals the deal. Cloudy Chance is riding a forward line on the numbers; dangerous. Alyvia Mavis bested a next-out winner by more than six lengths last out; worth long look.
THIRD: Master of Arms was done in by pressured pace last time; softer flow predicted. Cathedral Beach could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Stolen Base drops and owns fast back figures; must consider.
FOURTH: Blue Note made sustained rally to win debut; amplified kick with cutback to 7 furlongs. Galinda tallied front-end score in first start; big-time player. Pinky Brier owns speed and fast figures; right in the thick of this.
FIFTH: Next On Stage bounced last time after fast-figured placing in prior. Cararra could be in the catbird seat if top selection hits the wall. Bobby Jean is another that regressed in most recent outing; price will be tempting.
SIXTH: Tammy's Cruiser drops and makes third start since layoff; forward move predicted. Blue Eyed Scout logged only win on Big A loam; very interesting. Cara's Chianti is riding an improving line on the numbers.
SEVENTH: Derek's Law could play out as the speed of the speed with heads-up handling. Last Man Standing owns fast figures but takes suspicious drop; mixed message. Airborne Elite is more than good enough on "A" efforts; don't ignore.
EIGHTH: Ten Cent Town regressed in last after fast-figured win two back; rebounds. Forgiving Spirit is fresh and consistently fires big efforts; very dangerous. Gatsby is another that repeatedly delivers strong races; be no surprise.
NINTH: Combat Mission drilled three times since dominant maiden score on New Year's Eve; primed. Arctic Beast owns three wins and a second from four starts; guaranteed underlay. Chummers was gelded since eased more than two months ago; improvement potential.
10TH: Ez Roll exits clear-cut placing in last; more to come. Maldini was a fast-figured second in most recent; very playable. Magnanimous Max makes first start for Linda Rice after strong maiden score in last; dangerous. Tavern Time could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
