Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Sunday, April 27
Best bet: THE PADDOCK PASTOR (4)
Best value: DEAR MOON (6)
FIRST: O P Firecracker took advantage of soft pace to win last; more in the tank. Khafre could prove tough is able to secure early lead. Lord Captain, an uncoupled barn mate of top pick, needed last and is competitive on best efforts.
SECOND: Army Gal was freshened after regressing in last start; rebounds. Briland went to the sideline after determined win in debut last August; Chad Brown's signature pattern. Twirling Beauty was a front-running winner in first start; worth long look.
THIRD: Waralo drilled twice since sharp second in last; fires another big effort. Schlomo finally got job done after burning cash in three previous starts; mixed message. Stewie gets favorable cutback to 6 furlongs; don't dismiss.
FOURTH: The Paddock Pastor is training with a purpose for first start in 10 weeks; broke maiden on Big A sod. Smooth Breeze compiled tight work tab for first start with blinkers and Lasix; big effort on tap. Courtly Banker also dons the shades and is drilling swiftly; very playable.
FIFTH: Bodegas is from a dam that has produced two turf winners from three foals to race; ready at first asking. Inamorata moves to grass for Christophe Clemente; very interesting. Perugia could play out as the dominant speed; right in the thick of this.
SIXTH: Dear Moon fired crisp half-mile work since useful fourth in debut; improvement predicted. Kay Cup also is training swiftly for potent second-out stable; very playable. Garden of Grace concluded work tab with sharp half-mile breeze; follow the money.
SEVENTH: Sand Devil turns back to more manageable distance; rates close call in deep field. Cornucopian was done in by scorching splits in Arkansas Derby; big-time, front-end threat. Garamond is training sharply for Chad Brown; right in the thick of this.
EIGHTH: Laurelin has yet to taste defeat in two starts; more to come. Burner Account could burn them on the front end if allowed an unchallenged lead; price will be tempting. Virgin Colada is more than good enough on "A" game but looms a likely underlay.
NINTH: Cousin Ed packs potent late wallop on best efforts. Stormy Birthday was a useful fourth in lone grass start; price will be tempting. Roofer is speedy and could prove tough to collar if he takes to turf. No Problem (Mark Casse) and Rhyton (Clement) are newcomers that must be factored into the mix if money shows in exotics.
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