Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Friday, Jan. 9
Best bet: DIA POR DIA (2)
Best value: HIGH OAK (7)
FIRST: Always Angels is fresh and owns fast figures. Ready for Trouble tallied improved internal numbers in last; dangerous. Broadway Lights is competitive on best efforts.
SECOND: Dia Por Dia tallied crisp final fraction when winning debut; takes another. Graceful Rose owns fast back figures; price will be tempting. Rumint is riding a three-race winning streak; must be factored into the mix.
THIRD: Magni owns speed, adds blinkers and starts from the fence; wire to wire with heads-up handling. Apalta could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Fever Night, an uncoupled barn mate of Apalta, is another that would be aided by pace meltdown.
FOURTH: Dot's Dollar compiled tight work tab for first start in seven weeks; ready. Master of Arms consistently fires big efforts; dangerous. Great Richie M makes first start since moving to Linda Rice barn; must consider.
FIFTH: Nonno Joe makes first main-track start for potent turf-to-dirt barn. Sequential was second at odds-on last out; short price once again. Kaz Oil Changer owns speed and rates a puncher's chance at a price.
SIXTH: Blenheim Baby should pack intensified wallop with cutback to 7 furlongs. Spirit of Esther is a front-running threat on best efforts. Blue Eyed Scout is another that owns speed and must be factored into the mix at a playable price.
SEVENTH: High Oak is rested and displays a history of firing big efforts off the bench; set. Vettriano is fleet-footed and delivers big efforts with machinelike consistency; likely underlay. Big Hat Willie gets confident price boost after clear-cut win in last; don't ignore.
EIGHTH: Mo Spice is fresh and gets potent class drop; call in weak nightcap. Whiskey Runner is quick from gate and makes first start since gelded; worth long look. Hoity Moroni also is speedy and was gelded since last start; must be factored into the mix. Bellamy should be aided by cutback to abbreviated sprint.
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