Steve Matthews' Aqueduct picks for March 19-21
Thursday, March 19
Best Bet: LOOMS BOLDLY (5)
Best Value: WHISKEY N SODA (6)
FIRST: Mia Nipotina makes quick return after improved third last week; more to come. Churning Berni went to the sidelines after breaking maiden by 10 lengths on Dec. 28; mixed message. Blenheim Baby drops after even fourth in last; dangerous.
SECOND: Hip Hop Dancer makes third start of form cycle after clear-cut placing in last; gets there today. Nightscope gets confident price boost after game second in debut; very playable. Raynham Hall makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; must consider.
THIRD: Luckforyou owns speed and starts from the fence; controlling front-runner with proper ride. Racing Colors could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Big Dig is another that would be aided by pace meltdown.
FOURTH: Inonit, an improved third in last, could be sitting on breakthrough in peak start of form cycle. Good Cop gets confident price boost after hard-fought third in last. Lucky Dragon adds blinkers and is competitive on best efforts.
FIFTH: Looms Boldly exits determined score in last and owns faster back numbers. Ravin's Ransom is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Ten Cent Town has won two of last three; right in the thick of this.
SIXTH: Whiskey N Soda tallied fast late-pace figure when a non-stressful fifth in last; forward move predicted. Fort Nelson exits front-running score in last; big-time danger. Morlock, an uncoupled barn mate of second selection, could prove tough to collar on soft lead.
SEVENTH: Covert Affair concluded work tab with 3-furlong bullet; ready at first asking. So Tru was an improved third in last; dangerous. Combatant's Song displayed newfound speed in last; worth long look. Maxisure is from a dam that has produced nine winners from 10 starters; follow the money.
Friday, March 20
Best Bet: DELRAY (7)
Best Value: SOUNDS LIKE FUN (8)
FIRST: Swiss Army Knife was gelded since last start; main speed with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Growth Equity logged fast-figured placings in both starts; guaranteed underlay. Steady Force debuts for Chad Brown; be no surprise.
SECOND: Come to Papa is riding a two-race winning streak; more to come. Good Skate is training swiftly for first start since June. Military Road makes first start since claimed by Linda Rice; must be factored into the mix.
THIRD: Clarividente regressed in last after fast-figured win in prior; rebounds. Power of Women took advantage of soft flow when winning last; mixed message. Cravings drops after losing head bob for all the money last out; paltry price is the problem.
FOURTH: Maggie T was dueled into defeat last time after front-end score two back; softer pace dynamic predicted. My First Love was second versus pricier group last out; dangerous. Miss Lao owns three seconds and three thirds from last six starts; must use in exotics.
FIFTH: Houdini's Bride gets class relief in second start since 10-month layoff; forward move predicted. Kat Stormy also drops after flashing improved speed in last; worth long look. A. P. Slingshot logged two seconds and a third from last three starts; be no surprise.
SIXTH: Waitin'onasunnyday projects as the main speed with heads-up handling. Moon On Fire is training with a purpose for first start since last summer; very interesting. Neigh Baby drilled four times since subpar fifth in last; must be considered.
SEVENTH: Delray owns two wins and a second on Big A loam and could get the early jump with aggressive handling. Brunch With Amy exits fast-figured win in last; big-time player. I'm Buzzy should pack amplified kick with cutback to mile.
EIGHTH: Sounds Like Fun noticeably picked up the tempo in final two workouts; primed for big effort. Into Inspiration owns speed and could prove tough on a soft lead. Army Proud owns four seconds and four thirds from 13 starts; logical contender. Counter Move is fleet-footed and fresh; right in the thick of this.
Saturday, March 21
Best Bet: RIYADH MOON (9)
Best Value: FARM TEAM (1)
FIRST: Farm Team makes quick return after displaying improved speed on March 7; forward move predicted. Go Irish outworked 159 rivals in half-mile drill last week; very dangerous. Social Hour is fleet-footed and could prove very tough to collar on a soft lead.
SECOND: Kaz Oil Changer exits front-end maiden score in last and projects as the main speed once again. Corvus is fresh and could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Calling Card could make forward move with first-time Lasix.
THIRD: Emirates Road is training swiftly for first start in seven weeks; outside post in compact field seals the deal. Waitlist returns to claiming ranks and packs potent late kick on "A" game. Bourbon Chase could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat; worth long look.
FOURTH: Graceful Rose bested a next-out victor by more than four lengths when winning last; takes another. Dorth's Sol Dancer is riding a forward line on the numbers; price will be tempting. Top of the Table should be aided by cutback to 7 furlongs.
FIFTH: Khali's Storm compiled tight work tab for first start since June; weakness of field helps, too. My Girl Aubree drops after speed and fade in debut; very interesting. Lady Meringue is rested and gets class relief for Linda Rice; must consider.
SIXTH: Irish Maxima failed to deliver on heavy tote support when unable to secure clear lead last time; main speed today. Limes Don't Lie fits Chad Brown's signature pattern; very dangerous. Sweet Brown Sugar is competitive on best efforts; don't ignore.
SEVENTH: Bramito was rested after clear-cut score on Jan. 11; ready for return. Ignite the Light exits top-figured win on Feb. 4; very playable. Bourbon Day owns 10 wins from 26 starts; must consider.
EIGHTH: Brazenly logs field's fastest late-pace figures on best efforts. Willintoriskitall drilled twice since dominant front-running score in last; big-time player. Playing Tricks, from Chad Brown barn, owns a win and a second from two starts; right in the thick of this.
NINTH: Riyadh Moon never got going in the mud last time; crisp half-mile work in the interim seals the deal. Lotsa Trouble tallied swift final fraction when a hard-charging third in last; dangerous. Golden Symphony owns speed and drops; worth long look. Screaming Uncle is competitive on best efforts; don't dismiss.
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