Aqueduct April 10

Great card yesterday at AQU. Today, not as much. Given the moisture yesterday, I’m not holding out great hope for races staying on the turf.

Race 1      5-1-2

Legend of Lorelei finally broke her maiden in her 9th try. She looks like the most likely front runner and that maiden race gave her a nice figure. Looks to be in top shape. Majesticconfection broke her maiden for $30K and jumped up a little in her next two and really ran respectably. Figures suggest as long as she can get good early position she is a major contender. Love You Babe broke her maiden at this price, went over her head for the next three, and drops way back today. That should be in her favor.

Race 2      2-4-1

She’s All Even will likely go favorite off the strength of her speed and current condition. Looks like lone front here. Ferzetti was claimed two back by Patrick Reynolds and finished a good second toHarlan Belle who won her next out. She’ll need her best to run by the top choice. Reign won her second at this price, jumped up in price and flopped after have a little bit of gate trouble. Back at the right price today.

Race 3      3-5-4

Mei Ling easily wired a field last out in a good time. Should be the front speed, but may get pushed by Noble Beauty. Wet track record suggests an advantage if the moisture stays. Carrumba just missed in the Comely after bobbling at the start. She’ll be the favorite and deservedly so. No surprise if she wins. Saythreehailmary’s has been competitive for a while with state-bred stakes runners and won a restricted stakes in the slop in January. Could surprise at a price.

Race 4      3-1-8-2

Lead Along came from off the pace in her two GP starts and looks to be eligible for improvement today. I like the figures and Mott horses often take a race or two to hit their best stride. Conquest Lucknlove goes second time at a turf route for Chad Brown. Nearly wired a field last time, but if the race stays on the turf, she may not have as easy a time on the front end. Gioia Stella has two strong seconds in her first two starts and has the figures to match the top two. Can’t discount. Lemondrop Lollipop has one good turf start and it was on the AQU turf. Condition off the races on the inner should be good. Has some outs.

Race 5      2-6-5

Mahabodhi Tree has a tough name to pronounce but should be primed  off his inner dirt starts. Should be the one to catch. Going for Broke is a first timer for Chad Brown and he is still an impressive 20% with debut runners. Workouts look typical for Brown and the horse should come out running. Liana Star has been searching for a maiden win for five tries, but just can’t seem to hold together in the stretch. This race may be his best shot to turn things around.

Race 6      Turf: 4-11-2-3      Dirt: 14-7-13

Race 7      4-1-5

Toledo Eddie has four wire jobs in a row. He’s the best speed in here, enjoys a track with moisture, and has improved by leaps since moving to the Jacobson barn. The one to catch. Unbridled Juan has nothing but in the money finishes in his career. Hard trying horse should be the main competition. Farhaan jumps up a little in price, but has been running well lately. McLaughlin seems to have him headed in a good direction.

Race 8      8-5-4-3

Takeover Target has run six graded stakes in a row, winning two and being close in the others. 1 for 1 at the distance, has the right style, and figures are competitive. Macagone is well meant at the mile and has the best last race figure. Big shot here if he can control the pace. Lubash is a steady runner and has run well off the layoff previously. Turned 9 this year, so we’ll see if father time is catching up with him. Fredericksburg seems to have trouble cracking the winner’s circle but he fits with this group. Maybe in the verticals.

Race 9      1-6-7

Bonita Luna ran well from the rail in last week’s one turn mile. Should have things her own way up front today. Could be a nice price at post time. Guyana has been with better lately. Was great last year, starting a little slower this year. Levine usually improves second off a layoff. Familyofroses seems to be another with some hesitancy to pass horses in the lane. Still, she’s better than 50% in the money and is making a steep drop today. That may be enough to put her close at the wire.