Aqueduct April 22

Race 1.     6-1-3-4

Sunny Puzzle was claimed by Englehart for $25K, jumped up to a couple of $50K races, then dropped way back to $14K in his last. He looked heartless in the stretch, but in the last race he won he nearly wired a field. He drops back in distance today, and that is in his favor. Like his chances at the odds. Global Positioning should be winging from the one post. Jacobson drops the horse in half after a decent showing with $35K horses, but this is a typical move for him. Jackson P just missed at this level last out and it looks like one of the potential front runners. Sherifco won last out with slightly higher and should get first run at the leaders.

Race 2.     5-1-2

American Creed is 14 of 18 in the money at this distance. He’s had pretty consistent figures and often when DJ drops them he is serious about looking for the win. Attractive Ride was claimed last out by good percentage claiming trainer Michael Pino. This 10 year old makes his 92nd start today and is winning at over a 25% clip. As long as he keeps running you have to keep using him. Tairneach comes of a long layoff for Danny Gargan, who is an excellent 27% with long layoff horses. He’s shown he can run well fresh and makes a substantial drop today. May go favorite and has every right to win, but the odds don’t look that appealing.

Race 3.     7-5-4

Chairman Now has the best last race figure and is riding a two race win streak. Sticking with today’s old guy theme, he’s another one of those horses that always seems to give an honest effort. Now We Are Free is an off the pace horse that has a tendency to be around at the end of races. Likes the AQU dirt and has done well at the distance. Coming off a good run and looks very useful here. Heady Creek is coming off a win at $14K but given it was conditioned he’s not really making a drop. Still, he should be competitive here.

Race 4.     4-3-5-6

Dia de Encanta has been off since last July. In his one dirt race she ran well and comes back today at a lower price. Her dirt race had a figure as good as anything in here, and she may wind up being some value. Addibel Lightning is dropping out of MSW and only making her third start. Danny Gargan takes over training duties and he is 27% first time with a horse. She should compete with this group. Bustin Aces should be most of the speed early and if she is not challenged she could be dangerous. Trapper Jane takes the blinkers off and drops down from $40K. That makes her worth considering.

Race 5.     5-6-4-9

All Over Me has been competitive in his last eight races. I’m not sure why Maker feels a need to bring him back off a win only six days ago, but if he goes he has to be respected. Goodtolook was taken last out by David Cannizzo. His turf races have been very good and if he runs back to them he should be very competitive. Elroi seems more interested in finishing in the money, but the figures suggest he’s got outs today. Comes from far out of it but there should be enough speed to potentially give him a setup. East Bay Lodge is another off the pace horse with consistent numbers.

Race 6.     2-7-3

Wolf Letter has one race where she won powerfully wire to wire. Should be at the right level today for her first with winners and any improvement makes her even stronger. Army Brat just broke her maiden and was claimed by Michelle Nevin. She had been with better in her first two and if she is topping her form cycle, she could give the top choice all she can handle. Our Whim plunges in price today. She certainly has races that would put her right with the top two. Worth considering.

Race 7.     5-1-6

Cracking Good Pins comes off a win at GP and tries the AQU turf for the first time. Figures look good, but there are a number in here without current turf form who could surprise. Still, best to go with the horses that have current form. Chow Fun had some good turf runs before trying the inner dirt. Has two wins in six tries at AQU. Wild Bella ships over from the west coast for DJ. Irad signs on for the ride and he should have her setting the pace. Hasn’t won in a while and maybe the change of venue will do the trick.

Race 8.     3-6-7

Yakov looks like the best early speed and seems best suited for the mile distance. Has two seconds in three tries at AQU. Edge Ridge actually takes a drop moving into the state-bred ranks. He looks like he is on the improve and the field is weak enough that he has a real chance. Clifton Pleasure will be coming in the stretch. He has been running well for a while and his last was better than looked.

Race 9.     4-3-7

Adirondack Luck drops out of a MSW for this $40K affair. Really the only one with any real turf form, but not so solid you can take 9/5. Saratoga by Design should be the one setting the pace and if she can recapture her form from last you she’s a contender. Justenufflaughter has been knocking around at the maiden level for a while. But in her six maiden races she has been second in half of them. In a weak field she’s got a chance.