Steve Matthews' Aqueduct picks for March 27-28
Friday, March 27
Best Bet: ELYSIAN MEADOWS (4)
Best Value: LE GRIS (7)
FIRST: Luna Moth could be sitting on breakthrough effort in third outing of form cycle. Troubled Luck owns speed and drops; price will be tempting. Floge never got going in the mud last time; worth long look.
SECOND: Bold Love tallied fast late-pace figure when winning last; more to come. Southeastern also won last and now makes first start since claimed by Linda Rice; dangerous. Gulfy is another last-race winner that was claimed from most recent; right in the thick of this.
THIRD: Timaeus gets class relief and owns fast back numbers. Sin Nombre exits front-end score at this level in last; worth long look. Skylander was rested after winning on Feb. 6; more than good enough on "A" effort.
FOURTH: Elysian Meadows is training with a purpose for first start in more than 10 months; ready to roll. What's Up Bro, a wire-to-wire winner in last, could easily take another. Merica's Back consistently fires big efforts; be no surprise.
FIFTH: Reign It In should pack amplified wallop with cutback to 7 furlongs. Mach Schnell is speedy and could prove tough on a soft lead. Bellamy is improving with every start; must consider.
SIXTH: Barbour County made menacing middle move and flattened in debut; tighter today. Punchoutandgohome was a useful fourth in debut; very interesting. Kaz Farm Girl is fleet-footed and could play out as the main speed.
SEVENTH: Le Gris is quick from gate and could get early jump with heads-up handling. Wynstock could be the prime beneficiary if top selection hits the wall. Dreamlike owns two wins, three seconds and three thirds from last eight starts; hard to ignore.
EIGHTH: Magni was a strong second after wide trip in last; rates close call. Mercilesanihilator drops and makes quick return; big-time player. Nantz should be aided by cutback to 7 furlongs. Forgone bounced last time after string of fast-figured efforts; must be factored into the mix.
Saturday, March 28
Best Bet: LOTSA TROUBLE (5)
Best Value: POWER SEEKER (8)
FIRST: Irresistible exits game placing in last; gets there today. Collective Bargain (first timer) and Point of Reference (tight work tab) are uncoupled runners from Chad Brown barn; neither would surprise. Moonlit debuts for potent first-out barn; follow the money.
SECOND: Brigadier General owns speed and could get the early jump with heads-up handling. Big Blue Line packs potent late kick on best efforts; worth long look. Crushed It is more than good enough on "A" efforts.
THIRD: Spirit Dragon projects as the speed of the speed with aggressive ride. Scoot Daddy runs late and could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Proprietary Trade is riding a two-race winning streak; right in the thick of this.
FOURTH: Sweet Laura wheels back in a hurry after clear-cut placing at Colonial Downs on March 12; more to come. She's Cool was a determined winner in last; price will be tempting. Shetalkstomuch could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
FIFTH: Lotsa Trouble tallied swift late-pace figure when winning last; pairs up. Great Richie M packs solid kick on best efforts. J J's Ranger is speedy and owns fast figures; must be factored into the mix.
SIXTH: Majestic Return looms the quickest of the quick with proper handling. Bam's Bliss Kiss also is speedy and is riding a four-race winning streak; very dangerous. Brzina, another's that's fleet-footed and must be given long look.
SEVENTH: Lucky Dude fired half-mile bullet since winning third in a row last month; more to come. Play fought off all challengers when a front-end winner in last; big-time player. Master of Arms was just three lengths behind top pick when second in last; don't ignore.
EIGHTH: Power Seeker worked four times since non-stressful fourth in last; forward move predicted. Adventurist is fresh and could find 1 3/8-miles trip right in his wheelhouse. Bob John Ray owns speed and could prove tough on a soft lead.
NINTH: Golden Eib Micrphn ships in after winning four of last five; ready for prime time. Pop Rox, another that makes first Big A start after winning four straight, must be give serious consideration. Jackie the Joker was a front-running winner in last; dangerous. Whistler's Style could impact at fat ticket if pace meltdown ensues.
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