Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Wednesday, Feb. 4
Best bet: DONEGAL SURGES (7)
Best value: D'ONT LOSE CRUZ (6)
FIRST: Gualillo was third to a repeat winner in last; four works in the interim seal the deal. Free Spin owns speed and gets favorable cutback to sprint; dangerous. Copious adds blinkers and should be favorably positioned; worth long look.
SECOND: Baseball Lady was a clear-cut maiden winner in last; first start since claimed by Linda Rice is the clincher. St. Brigid's Cross is fleet-footed and could prove tough on a soft lead. Karey could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues.
THIRD: Concorde Spirit was disqualified after making sustained run to win last; rights the wrong today. Mad Banker wheels back quickly after sharp score on Jan. 15; could easily take another. Caddiemaster makes first start since claimed by Rice; hard to ignore.
FOURTH: Toxic Gray makes peak start of form cycle after clear-cut placing in last; set for best. Emirates Road should pack amplified wallop with cutback to 7 furlongs. Vettriano is speedy and could prove tough on a soft lead.
FIFTH: Saratoga Party bounced last time after game second in prior; rebounds. Baffle could impact if pace meltdown ensues. Contrary Mary fired crisp half-mile since tough-trip last time; improvement predicted.
SIXTH: D'ont Lose Cruz regressed in last after fast-figured win in prior; rebounds. Dot's Dollar could play out as the speed of the speed with aggressive handling. Canyouhearmerunnin could be ideally positioned if pace duel develops.
SEVENTH: Donegal Surges tallied fast late-pace figure when winning last; pairs up. Dreamlike also notched swift final fraction when winning most recent; dangerous. Film Star is fleet-footed and gets class relief; very interesting.
EIGHTH: Nowucme Nowudont has been training with a purpose in Kentucky; ready to roll. Mach Seven drops into NY-bred ranks after being dueled into defeat at Gulfstream; very playable. Hurricane Kaz exits front-end second in last; dangerous. Twenty One Red should pack intensified kick with cutback to sprint.
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