Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Saturday, Dec. 13
Best bet: RANGER BATTALION (2)
Best value: FAIRY GODMOTHER (6)
FIRST: Emerald Forest made menacing middle move and flattened last out; tighter today. Screaming Uncle drops and gets slight cutback; dangerous. In Sky We Trust could be the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues.
SECOND: Ranger Battalion tallied fast late pace when winning last; pairs up. Floodlites, another last-race victor, is speedy and fresh; worth long look. Sacrosanct also is fleet-footed and gets first-time Lasix; must consider.
THIRD: Fightforallegiance will be aided by turnback to 6 furlongs. Crossingthechannel was a clear-cut second in debut; very playable. Funky See Funky Do is training swiftly for first start; follow the money.
FOURTH: Coffee Talk regressed last out after 10-length score in prior; rebounds. New York Scrappy, a front-end winner in most recent, could play out as the main speed. Uncle Jim also is quick from gate and could prove tough if able to shake clear from New York Scrappy.
FIFTH: Smilensaycheese makes quick return (nine days) and gets class relief; forward move predicted. Confabulation is speedy and drops; worth long look. Enduring Spirit makes third start of form cycle; don't ignore.
SIXTH: Fairy Godmother logged four tight works since useful fifth in debut; improvement expected. Liberty's Advance was second to a repeat winner when 90 cents on the dollar last out; short price once again. Boiling Point was done in by pace pressure in same last race as second selection; must consider.
SEVENTH: Stonewall Star is fresh and favorably posted; five-time winner on Big A loam. Scalable will be in the garden spot if fractions get fast and furious. Weigh the Risks has won four of last five; likely underlay.
EIGHTH: Yankee Doodle makes first start for Linda Rice after winning four of last five at Finger Lakes; ready for prime time. Save Us Melania, also from Rice barn, could play out as the main speed on the rail. Collect the Data owns speed, fast figures and hails from Chad Brown barn; be no surprise.
NINTH: Princess Becca is rested and could get the early jump with heads-up handling. She's Grand moves to Rice stable after winning four of last six at Finger Lakes; paltry price is the problem. Capital Gal was a game second in last; big-time player. Graceful Rose should pack enhanced kick with cutback to sprint; must be factored into the mix.
