It’s been a rough week at AQU. Saturday was a parade of favorites, and when a longshot finally comes in, it’s an unpredictable $92 horse. Sunday so far looks about the same.

Race 1.     2-7-4-1

Cuadrante is coming off a layoff for Patricia Farro and seems to have the most consistent figures. Good as anything else in the race. Sound of Freedom ran a couple of good races at this level before jumping up to $25K. He’s got the best speed in the race and Ray Handal has shown signs of improvement after the switch to the main, but it’s still a chancey play at the odds. Swivel is one of a few horses with the top pace figure, and looks to be at the top of his game. Still, there isn’t a stickouts in this field so going deep in the horizontals might be advisable. Hushhushmushmush is 1 for 27 with a lot of seconds and thirds. Low win prospects but may make a vertical.

Race 2.     1-7-5

Pretension comes off a win at this level and looks good in this spot. Beautyinthepulpit was getting to Pretension last race and may run him down today. Longfor the City is the best speed in the race and last time he was at this price he wired a field.

Race 3.     2-3-5

Seymourdini crushed a maiden field on the main in November and comes back in a good spot. Three year old has the best figure in the race, and that was as a two year old. Linda Rice is 22% off the layoff. Moon Over a Beauty has shown good speed and has been with stakes horses since breaking his maiden. May surprise at long odds today.

Race 4.     4-2-7

Unrepented had a great year in 2015 but has yet to find his best stride in 2016. However, she has a win in his only start on the main. Should be the one to catch. More Than Rainbows has been dropping steadily since being claimed by low key trainer Luis Miranda. If he can get the horse straightened out she’s got some talent and at 12-1 she’s worth a look. Familyofroses hasn’t won in her last 14 starts and has been off since last November when she finished well back in a state-bred stakes. Not worth 2-1 but has enough talent to win off her best.

Race 5.     3-2-6

Integrity ran a losing race last out, taking a nine length lead early and expectedly fading. If he relaxes today his chances go up. Navarez has the best last race figure and hasn’t been out of the money in his last eight. Have to respect the consistency. All Star Red has a gaudy four for eight record. You can toss his last race on the turf and his two races before that were probably not at his best distance. Should be dangerous at 7 furlongs.

Race 6.     8-3-4

Attractive Ride was claimed last out by Michael Pino who rested him then drops him into this spot. On his best day he’s competitive with this group. Pino is 24%  first off the claim. Hannibal Lecter should be up close to the front and has one of the top last race figures. He certainly fits and at least is worth a look in the verticals. March Too always seem to be close, even if he doesn’t have a great winning percentage. Seems to be on the improve and Barker is having a good year from limited starts.

Race 7.     9-4-1

Bellamy Way has the best last race figure and hasn’t been out of the money in his last eight. Deserving favorite. Altar Boy ran well when shipped back to AQU. Should be coming at the end. Have to respect the Pletcher/Velasquez combo. Danny Gargan has the combo of Lunar Rover and Groupthink. The former may be the stronger of the two, and since Cornelio is named on both there will be a scratch, but I’ll stick with whichever Gargan keeps in the race.

Race 8.     2-7-3

Mei Ling has proven herself with stakes fillies and there is no reason to expect she won’t compete well today. America has run with nothing but graded horses since last May, winning the G3 Turnback the Alarm. She has a win on the AQU dirt and the works look good. Mott has been doing well with horses coming off the quarantine at Payson. Carrumba comes off a long layoff after just missing in the Grade 3 Comely on this surface last year. McGaughey is 28% off this layoff.

Race 9.     4-7-6-5

Urbanity has one start and ran an excellent figure for this field. Looks like a stickout here. Naked Empress is making her third start and seemed to improve a bit last out. Has some outs here. True Charm looks better than her 30-1 ML. Could be useful in the verticals. Riot Worthy has developed a case of seconditis. Certainly has the talent to win, but given the potential low odds and the proclivity to finish just behind the winner, she might be better in the exacta and tri.