Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Saturday, Dec. 27
Best bet: MARAJOLINE (1)
Best value: BOURBON DAY (8)
FIRST: Marajoline tallied improved final fraction in last; more to come. Asking drops after making menacing middle move last time; dangerous. Karey also gets class relief and moves to dirt; wake-up potential.
SECOND: Acoustic Ave was done in by hot pace last time; return to rating tactics is key. Over and Ollie is rested and logs fast figures on best efforts. Bold Journey is a six-time winner on Big A loam; worth long look.
THIRD: Purple Divine displayed good turn of early foot when well-bet in debut; tight work tab in the interim seals the deal. Sparkling Mama also is quick from gate and should be aided by cutback to 7 furlongs. South Boundary is from a dam that has thrown three winners from three starters; very interesting.
FOURTH: Sharp Spark is fresh and logs fast late-pace figures on "A" efforts. Ministerial was a determined winner in last; very playable. Skylander regressed in last after clear-cut win two back; rebound threat.
FIFTH: Vanilla is training with a purpose at Fair Hill base; ready. Geopolitics is fleet-footed and could prove tough on a soft lead. Big Air makes first start since claimed by LInda Rice; must consider.
SIXTH: Analog Jones drops and makes local debut for Jamie Ness; rates close call. Lou could be the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues. Who's the King owns speed and fast figures; right in the thick of this.
SEVENTH: Backstreets displayed newfound speed in last; added furlong seals the deal. Saratoga Party exits key race and fits Chad Brown's signature pattern; likely underlay. Cara Fiore, also from the Brown barn, was a clear-cut second in debut; obviously must be considered.
EIGHTH: Bourbon Day tallied fast final fraction when drawing off by more than five lengths when winning last; more to come. Kinetic has the benefit of the rail at 1 1/8 miles; dangerous. Cooke Creek exits Grade 2 Clark Stakes; more than good enough on "A" efforts.
NINTH: Looms Boldly gets confident price boost after wire-to-wire win in last; takes another. Sheriff Bianco drops after wide trip in last; half-mile bullet in the interim adds to appeal. Jackson Heights could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues.
10TH: Eliminate is riding a forward line on pace and final figures; call in ultra-contentious field. Certified Loverboy is speedy and could play out as the controlling front-runner. Ignite the Light (needed last) and V Cruizer (undefeated in two starts) are two more that must be factored into the mix.
11TH: Whitby packs potent kick on best efforts. Last Man Standing bounced last time after clear-cut win in prior. Zakat should move forward in second start since two-month layoff. Detail Oriented makes first start since gelded; don't ignore.
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