Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Friday, April 18
Best bet: MOMMASGOTTAGUN (4)
Best value: GABBY'S LEGACY (8)
FIRST: Foxy Cara meets weaker after being eliminated at the start last week; call based on price. Poseidon's Mist owns speed and fast numbers; be no surprise. Dashing Della also is quick from gate and must be factored into the mix.
SECOND: Santagata never fired when dropped in price last time; gets one more chance. Focus Pocus is fleet-footed and could take this field wire to wire. She's Cool faces softer field in her 13-race career; must consider.
THIRD: La Vita Sofia compiled solid work tab for return from two-month layoff; big effort on tap. Gone and Forgotten was a hard-fought second in last; regresses today? Equus owns fast numbers but takes suspicious price plunge; damaged goods?
FOURTH: Mommasgottagun tallied rapid final fraction when overcoming tough trip to break maiden in last; fires another winning effort. Miss Lao, idle since January, logged most recent victory after similar layoff last fall; dangerous. Call Her Bluff, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection, makes first start since claimed by Linda Rice; worth long look.
FIFTH: Cahira's Song drilled three times since even fourth in debut; improvement predicted. Limes Don't Lie fits Chad Brown's signature pattern; could easily take this. More Than Grace should be aided by cutback to 7 furlongs; charting a must in eight-horse field with four newcomers.
SIXTH: Street View has won two straight and now makes first start for white-hot trainer; ride the streaking stable. Catchphrase, another that was claimed from last (Rudy Rodriguez), is a very tough customer when loose on the lead; big-time danger. Concrete Faze is another last-race winner that could get overlooked in the wagering; don't ignore.
SEVENTH: Everyoneloveslinda could get the early jump in small field that's light on speed; needs heads-up handling from rail. Morning Matcha packs potent kick and will be in the garden spot if top selection is poorly ridden. Miss Justify is firing bullets for first start since September; very interesting.
EIGHTH: Gabby's Legacy logged three tight works for first start in seven weeks; breakthrough predicted. Material Girl failed to get the job done when 50 cents on the dollar in last start; burns more cash today? Eagle Rising moves to dirt after speed and fade in debut on Gulfstream grass; worth long look. Crimson Queen and Farm House were second in their last starts; each must be considered.
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