Aqueduct 1-26
- 2-1-3 – Fast Break should be a clear favorite, but he has been in this same position in all his three races, and has failed. The cutback in distance should help and Lezcano repeats on him. The entry looks interesting, specially for Flying Curlin, who returns from more than a year on the shelf after two dismal performances at Woodbine. What draws my attention is that Mark Casse keeps training him and doesn’t drop him for a tag. His works have been solid for his comeback. His stable mate hasn’t been able to cut it at this level. Spice Road has the credentials to score in here. As a matter of fact, he won a race and was disqualified. Returns after been gelded and his new trainer takes the shades off, and without them he ran better. Not fond at all that Mc Laughlin is not training him anymore, lets see how he performs for Joseph Lee.
Race 2 2-5-7 – In a race in which all the rest of this group lost at this same level recently, Timely Tradition looms large on the drop in class. The last time he ran in a straight claiming race, he won easily. Furthermore, he s maybe the fastest in here. His big enemy is Letmetakethiscall, who is an Aqueduct specialist and Lezcano rides for the third consecutive time. Might Be has races last year that were good enough to win in better groups. Coming from a two month layoff, we can expect a better showing.
Race 3 6-4-1 – Question marks loom for some of these competitors, so we will look for alternatives. Massey Hall is a Woodbine shipper that is a fresh face in this circuit. Has been showing steady improvement and comes from firing a bullet in preparation. Gutierrez has been red hot lately. Winning Drive was eased last time out, but before that had a solid win in a similar group. Lezcano takes the assignment and he is taking no prisoners here. Stone Breaker drops sharply after failing as the favorite at Finger Lakes. Works have been average and sporadic, so he is not that reliable in my opinion.
Race 4 2-3-4 – Orbilicious is returning from a ten month stay on the bench, and she hasn’t faced such a weak group as this one. Her works have been steady and consistent and Cancel has been his jockey and stays on her. Princess in Charge disappointed in her last, now she cuts to a sprint and maybe that was what the doctor ordered. Alvarado repeats on her. Appletini is probably the quickest of them and if she can have a clear lead from the gate, she can be dangerous.
Race 5 4-5-7 – Air on Fire was claimed by Linda Rice in his most recent race and had to go to the sidelines for six months. Now he resurfaces at more or less the same level that he was claimed for, definitely a good sign. He shows three works in January so should be fit enough. Quick Entry was atrocious in his last, and now takes a considerable drop in class after being claimed by almost two times the claiming tag for this race. Doesn’t look food at all, but Cox is hitting on all cylinders. Elios Milos completes the selection. He will look for a hot pace to try to pick up the pieces late.
Race 6 5-6-4 – Bridlewood Cat handled multiple stakes winner Newly Minted with ease last time out. I don’t think this group is tougher than that one, so she will be a very tough beat on Sunday. Piedi Bianchi is a very solid mare, stakes winner that is returning from a one year layoff. Probably needs at least one, but is the one I prefer if the favorite falters for some reason. Fair Regis is very consistent and she will be close to the pace from the start. The fact that Lezcano rides her again makes us look twice.
Race 7 9-2-1 – Miss Marissa has been running with fillies like British Idiom and Lake Avenue, so she will find this relief in class much to her liking. The outside post allows her jockey to evaluate how things develop up front. Panthera Onca is now trained by Brad Cox and in her last two races, she has some excuses, like the sloppy track and the two turns. The seven furlongs and hopefully a dry strip should help her go forward. Love of my Heart broke her maiden in great form. Stakes are much higher now but maybe the light bulb went on on her.
Race 8 6-3-8 – Someone has to win in this very bad group. Apex Predator won once and was disqualified, and then he ran creditably enough to be considered one of the top contenders in here. Pirelli Tower was a burning money specialist on the turf about fifteen months ago. Now drops to maiden claimers and debuts on the dirt after such a long rest. Not reliable at all. Implied Volatility returns to a trip which should fit better for him. If he remembers how he did on his debut, he can wire this field.