Steve Matthews’ Aqueduct selections for Friday, March 10
Best Bet: SHUT YOUR TRAPPE (2)
Best Value: PERINA’S PRIDE (4)
FIRST: Conquest Prankster was a wide third in race taken by repeat winner; moves forward. Dublin My Money made sustained rally when a clear-cut second in last; dangerous. Jegos Fire needed last, sheds the blinkers and could improve at fat ticket.
SECOND: Shut Your Trappe drops and is riding a forward line on internal and final figures. Margarita Sunrise is speedy and will prove very tough on an unchallenged lead. Thirsty Donnerstag could impact at juicy number if pace meltdown ensues.
THIRD: Stony Brook makes peak start of form cycle after being compromised by wide trip in last; improvement expected. Hangry has finished third in last two starts and owns fast back figures. Clear Surprise bested Hangry by more than six lengths when a front-running second on Feb. 16; big-time player.
FOURTH: Perina’s Pride is fleet-footed, gets class relief and cuts back to sprint; generous price seals the deal. Argyle Gal runs late and looms the prime beneficiary if top selection hits the wall in the lane. Little Miss Julia was a clear-cut second at this level in last; right in the thick of this.
FIFTH: Shadow Rider packs potent late kick and makes first start since claimed; rates close call. New York’s Zip is a last-race winner that has the benefit of the rail; ability to get the distance is the question. Kenyan drops after regressing in last; don’t dismiss.
SIXTH: Shimmering Moon demolished a maiden field by 17 lengths last time; more to come. Palladian Bridge has won two of last three starts; very dangerous. Sing for Beauty took backward step in last after determined victory in previous start; rebound threat.
SEVENTH: Instant Replay gets confident price hike after tough-trip third in last; set for best in third start of form cycle. Metaurus wheels back in a hurry after even fourth this past Saturday; worth long look at long price. The Catmancan makes second start since moving to Rudy Rodriguez barn; right in the thick of this.
EIGHTH: Devine Dental is speedy and projects as the controlling front-runner with aggressive ride. Apartfromthecrowd took backward step in last after fast-figured win in previous start; very dangerous. Tin Drum overcame tough post, defeating 10 rivals in debut; very interesting.
NINTH: Rossie Val was a much-improved third in first start as a 3-year-old last time; more to come. Quai Voltaire is fleet-footed and makes first start since gelded; very playable. Skeet Shot made strong late rally when second in debut; big-time player. The Hero Within adds blinkers and drops after being compromised by rough start in last; must be factored into the mix.
