Turfway by Battaglia

1ST RACE
SPOTED TRICK (5) drops in class and hooks a weak field. Give her the edge in the opener. C. MO DEE (8) picks up Leparoux and is a threat. RUN THE WHAM (4) rates a chance.

2ND RACE
BRIAN J (4) drops to the bottom level after a few decent efforts against tougher. He has the tactical speed to be in a good spot throughout and appears to be in a good spot to get the win with Mena back aboard. WILDERNESS TRAIL (9) just missed in his last and is a contender. LUCKY PAS (10) figures to move forward off his last and gets in light with Quinonez.

3RD RACE
ISN'T SHE GREAT (7) has been very consistent lately, finishing in the money in five of her last six, all of which came over the Polytrack. She should be in a good spot just off the pace and gets a weight break with Quinonez picking up the mount. Give her the edge here. OPENING DANCE (2) has also been running well over the Polytrack lately. She figures to make the lead again tonight and is the one to beat. CHECK THE MATH (8) is a definite contender.

4TH RACE
THUNDER GUSHER (6) moves back in for a tag after trying allowance company last out. She has the tactical speed to be close to the front and could spring the upset in a well matched race. SMART GOSSIP (9) has shown steady improvement and comes off an impressive maiden win. She is the one to beat. PROMISE ME A PRIZE (5) shows three solid races at this level since coming back from a long layoff and is a contender.

5TH RACE
LACY BY DESIGN (4) comes in off a nice win in her last at this same level. She might not be able to set fractions as soft as she did last time but figures to be close to the lead and rates a slight edge here. URBAN SHOCKER (6) finished just behind the top pick last time after a short layoff. She should improve off her last one and is the one to beat. GLORY AND POWER (2) moves up in class after a win and is a threat.

6TH RACE
MAXIMUMCOVERAGE (2) shows two solid races over the surface at this level and is the choice for the win. GAZAYIL'S PRINCE (5) drops in for a tag for the first time and has to be considered. PROSPECT POINT (8) takes the blinkers back off after a disappointing try in his last and is a threat.

7TH RACE
EUPHORIC (6) stretches out to two turns after a solid effort last time. He didn't show much in his two route races over the Polytrack last year, but he is bred to get the extra distance. Give him a slight edge in a wide-open field. DARK CLOUD (5) comes in off a nice second place finish against a solid field in his last. He should be in a good spot on or close to the lead again tonight and is a definite contender. BOULDER TIGER (4) didn't fire last time but is capable of much better and can't be left out of the gimmicks.

8TH RACE
COUNT ONE (6) stretches out to two turns after two wins and two seconds in his last four starts over the surface. He has enough speed to make the lead here but doesn't need to be on the lead to win and has won going around two turns before. Give him the edge in a very well matched field. ESPRIT DU ROI (2) did well to be beaten only seven lengths last time in the Tejano Run Stakes. He beat most of these horses two starts back and is definitely capable of winning here. SKIPPY DUE (1) hasn't been worse than second in his last four over the Polytrack and is a contender.

9TH RACE
BRIDANTY (6) shows an even effort at this level in her last and looks best in a weak field. SOCIAL APPROVAL (5) figures to improve in her second career start. BLAZING BLISS (8) is a first time starter who shows a nice bullet work over the surface at Keeneland.

Aqueduct

By Dave Litfin

BEST BET: Foose (7th race)


First Race


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1. Jodif 2. Crayda 3. Citrine

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JODIF has been sidelined for eight weeks since being eased as the favorite for twice today's claiming price - the first time she has ever finished worse than second on the inner track; spotted at a level where she's always been competitive, best if ready. CRAYDA wasn't able to contain Jodif first time out at the meet, but the latter's readiness is somewhat questionable now; probable pacesetter must avoid a regression after a new top Beyer to win first time out in two months. CITRINE is raised up a notch after an improved try in the mud second time back from layoff; best races have come on the early lead, but latest indicates ability to stalk effectively.

Second Race


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1. Sipsey 2. Lights of Broadway 3. Tourn Again

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SIPSEY has been in some much tougher spots chasing the likes of Nashua winner Day Pass last fall, and Whirlaway Stakes repeater Summer Doldrums first time on the inner track; worked well for recent comeback in a sprint but was caught wide, drops another rung down the ladder. LIGHTS OF BROADWAY has won three of four starts at six furlongs for current trainer, the only loss coming in a stake when caught up in a pace duel from the rail post; field's lone multiple winner is back sprinting and drops 50% in price. TOURN AGAIN will be a strong part of the pace while saving ground, assuming another alert break from the inside post; three wide first time vs. winners in Laurel allowance, Lake-Coa winning at 39% at Aqueduct.

Third Race


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1. Margies Smile 2. Graeme Central 3. Sunset Cocktail

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MARGIES SMILE stumbled at the break and wound up chasing a loose Olivine on a speed-favoring track as the Busher favorite; first-time Lasix for drop back with New York-bred fillies, nicely drawn. GRAEME CENTRAL has yet to run two good races in a row, but caught sloppy tracks the first two times he was coming off a peak effort, so he may only need dry footing to show more consistency; versatile in terms of pace placement. SUNSET COCKTAIL has run well all three starts with Coa aboard, including near-miss vs. Becky's Flute, who returned to win a $65K overnight stake like this one.

Fourth Race


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1. Byanosejoe 2. Little Cherokee 3. More Impact

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BYANOSEJOE got a three-wide stalking trip and finished well to draw clear last Saturday, and projects for a similar trip drawn outside a potential pace duel between FLUSHING MEADOWS and MORE IMPACT; coming back so quickly may be construed as strong indication he's doing well physically. LITTLE CHEROKEE settled for second as the favorite last Thursday, while attempting to close ground against the grain of a speed-favoring track that produced five wire-to-wire winners in the day's six sprints; has history of running well off barn changes, new outfit has done well first off the claim. More Impact has only faced older claimers in restricted races thus far, when able to dominate the early pace; presence of Flushing Meadows makes this a tougher task, but he did win as a stalker at Monmouth last year.

Fifth Race


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1. Kathleen's Chance 2. Find the Chestnut 3. Key to Susan

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KATHLEEN'S CHANCE has managed three straight runner-up finishes at this level, the Feb. 11 try from the far outside post, and the most recent rallying behind a loose Lady Elaine on a track that produced six front-running winners; beaten favorite may get a better pace setup if CHEQU'ER ALIBI, ODETTA ONE and KEY TO SUSAN hook up early. FIND THE CHESTNUT improved off the stretch-out to handle maiden claimers easily, before being caught wide throughout her initial allowance attempt from a tough post; may be sitting in the garden spot just off the early battle. Key to Susan got loose as one of seven front-running winners on the Feb. 19 program, which goes a long way toward explaining her new top figure; tougher spot stepping up from restricted claimers.

Sixth Race


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1. Squeaky Wheel 2. Charrick 3. Big Bad Monster

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The "drop and stretch" angle is in play for SQUEAKY WHEEL, who comes back a week after chasing Neverabettercity - one of five wire-to-wire winners from six sprints that day; rail post and addition of blinkers add up to a try for the early lead. CHARRICK has been inching forward on the Beyers all winter, and need only hold form to threaten with a late run. BIG BAD MONSTER drops back to $15K, where he managed in-the-money finishes in both starts last month.

Seventh Race


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1. Foose 2. Phillip X. 3. Bird of Play

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FOOSE beat $50K maidens easily enough to receive a "with something left" comment, and justified that impression by coming back with a sharp try dueling in an allowance shortly thereafter; freshened, breezed at six furlongs nine days ago. PHILLIP X. has been a prisoner of this condition since maiden win as a 2-year-old in 2005; in the money last three, however, and capable of making this interesting if top pick doesn't run back to latest and/or can't turn back early pressure from CAT'S LAD. BIRD OF PLAY ran admirably while in some trouble when well bet for debut at Belmont last fall, and returned in mid-winter to show considerable gameness winning prolonged duel; couple of nice workouts at Philly Park base, versatile running style.

Eighth Race


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1. Sir Tyler T 2. Broad Acres 3. Sideways Glance

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SIR TYLER T comes off a pair of stalking-trip wins in photo finishes that are the two best races of his career; spacing between starts is very similar (nearly six weeks), so he may be able to summon up a third straight peak effort. BROAD ACRES, meanwhile, also emerges from a victory that was a peak effort, but is back 15 days later and has twice regressed off similar figures - even though he had more time between starts; even so, he certainly has had a knack for surprising bettors in the past. SIDEWAYS GLANCE had things his own way on the lead at 1-2, but was unable to stay 1 1/2 miles and had no answer when NORTHERN STORM ranged alongside in midstretch of their recent clash; reclaimed.

Ninth Race


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1. Humerus Alex 2. All in C. J. 3. Norman's Good Boy

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HUMERUS ALEX comes back a week after making up nine lengths on a speed-favoring track, and stretches back out to two turns; previous routes found him either wide, or stumbling at the start, or in productive heats won by repeaters. ALL IN C. J. and NORMAN'S GOOD BOY are both stretching out, after returning from layoffs with a good foundation of two sprints. All in C.J.'s trainer, Mike Hushion, has won with three of his last six runners who fit that description. Norman's Good Boy is dropping to a new low level, and is likely to save some ground after a three-wide trip most recently.

Laurel Park

Frank Carulli's
Focus on Favorites

RACE ONE

3. SOFT SCIENCE ran third in Laurel debut, spent winter at FG, needs some
flow.

1. JOZI’S MELODY can maximize use of speed from the rail in her second
start.

5. EVEN KEEL ran top speed figure off freshening and finished third at this
distance.

RACE TWO
3. BETTER FOR US seeks third straight since barn switch and can use
speed well.

5. PARKSAGAIN won at this level, met better in last pair, starts fresh off
bullet work.

1. DEELITEFULPROSPECT ran troubled third for $30,000 but pulled up in
latest.

RACE THREE
6. MAUPIN rallied 7-wide for second from post 11 in same spot last out.

2. REV ME UP faded chasing lone speed winner, drops in for cheapest tag
yet.

4. SPECTACULAR SENOR made 12th-to-3rd move despite traffic
congestion as fave.

RACE FOUR
3. W and L was blocked at around the same time winner launched bid at one
mile.

5. MR. DEPUTY KAT ran even fifth in same race as top one in improved try
on drop.

2. MISTY COUNTY passed rivals in sprint, should be forwardly placed a long
way.

RACE FIVE
4. MARYLAND’S SPECIAL is lightly raced but had useful return in short
sprint.

6. BOOGYMAN always rallies, might be able to run past these on drop.

7. DEPUTY HUNTER gets Lasix and drops to bottom for return from 15-
month layoff.

RACE SIX
7. QUICK TO BELONG steps up, takes some catching of 10-length win at
distance.

8. REASON’S RAPTURE tries short sprint, tries to control headstrong
behavior.

1. PROUD ALLEN made middle move to clear lead and held second at 7F.

RACE SEVEN
4. ETHAN’S CAR chased pace and held second, then set pace and tired in
key FG allowance.

3. DIAMONDBREAKER survived long duel in first route attempt 11 weeks
ago.

2. MEMORIES OF MYSTIC has speed and rail and met better allowance
foes.

RACE EIGHT
7. INSIDE RISK ran big in debut, faltered in follow-up and is working bullets
for return.

2. TAKE IT AND RUN ran second to stakes winner in the fall, adds blinkers
off layoff.

4. MOVIEMAKER zipped 4F in 47-4/5 seconds to prep for debut.


TODAY'S BEST

Spectacular Senor (3rd race)

CHEF'S CHOICE

Heckofajob Brownie (2nd race)

GIMMICK GUY

Exacta (1st race): 1-ALL

PICK 4 (short ticket)

5th race: 4, 6

6th race: 7

7th race: 1, 4

8th race: 4, 7

Cost for $1 ticket: $8

PICK 4 (long ticket)

5th race: 4, 6

6th race: 1, 2, 7

7th race: 1, 3, 4

8th race: 4, 7

Cost for $1 ticket: $36

PICK 6 (50 Cents)

3rd race: 4, 6

4th race: 2, 3

5th race: 4, 6

6th race: 1, 2, 7

7th race: 1, 4

8th race: 4, 7

Cost for 50-cent ticket: $48