Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Friday, April 26
Best bet: LOGIN REQUIRED (1)
Best value: COLLOQUY (4)
FIRST: Login Required is training sharply for first start in 49 days; ready. Venge gets confident price boost in first start since claimed; very interesting. Have You Heard owns fast numbers on best efforts; big-time threat.
SECOND: Muazarah projects as the speed of the speed with heads-up handling. Barksdale also is fleet-footed and could prove tough if able to avoid front-end duel. Augustine Red looms the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues.
THIRD: Daddy Knows overcame fast fractions to win last; takes another. Hey Porter ships in from Parx and is a solid fit with the locals at this level. Hang Tight could impact if fractions get fast and furious.
FOURTH: Colloquy tallied swift final fraction when winning last; takes another. Thunderian, a game second in last, also packs solid late kick; dangerous. Dangerous Ride is fresh and gets class relief; worth long look.
FIFTH: So High projects as the controlling speed on the rail with aggressive handling. Stjames regressed in last after determined win in prior; bounce-back potential at a big price. Going Concern was a hard-charging winner in debut for Chad Brown; obvious threat.
SIXTH: Instamatic is rested and training consistently; set for breakthrough effort. Art of Courage is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Film Academy must be factored into the mix if able to escape AE list.
SEVENTH: Quick to Accuse tallied swift late-pace figure when taking last; more to come. Locke and Key was a fast-figured second in last; very playable. D'ont Lose Cruz owns sprinter's speed and looms a wire-to-wire threat.
EIGHTH: Alittlebitnaughty owns field's fastest last-pace figures; first-time Lasix seals the deal. Better Be Smart was compromised by slow fractions in both starts and worked six days before today's race; very interesting. Short Shift was a tough-trip fourth in lone turf start; very interesting. Tossed is from a dam that has produced two grass winners; worth long look.
