Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Friday, April 4
Best bet: COSTA TERRA (3)
Best value: COQUITO (5)
FIRST: Petrolo is speedy, fresh and owns fast final figures. Boss Three O Two bounced last time after hard-fought win in prior; rebound threat. Blame It On Daddy was flat in last; dangerous on "A" game.
SECOND: Silo Ridge was a game second in last; more to come in third start of form cycle. Camm' Duke owns speed but lacks heart; must take the good with the bad. Face the Facts has trained sharply since last start; very interesting.
THIRD: Costa Terra outworked 148 rivals in final work since claimed by Brad Cox. Magnolia Midnight could prove very tough on a soft lead. Tabeguache gets selling price cut in half for first start since claimed by Linda Rice; damaged goods?
FOURTH: Timaeus was a change-of-pace victor in last; takes another. Mad Banker is riding a two-race winning streak; dangerous. Tomacon bested a next-out winner when taking last; don't ignore.
FIFTH: Coquito is 1-for-1 on Big A loam; class relief seals the deal. Everlys Girl displayed improved speed in last; forward move predicted. Trade Secret drops and would be aided by pace meltdown; big-time player.
SIXTH: Montebello gets favorable cutback in first start for Brad Cox. Amundson fires big efforts with machinelike consistency; worth long look. Horse Be With You exits determined win at this level last time; must be factored into the mix.
SEVENTH: Nelson Avenue cuts back to mile and projects as the speed of the speed with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Repo Rocks would be aided by fast fractions. Castle Chaos is another that would benefit from pace meltdown.
EIGHTH: Santagata drops, adds blinkers and makes peak start of form cycle; dominant front-runner with Carmouche aloft. Despo's Dream also gets class relief and owns fast back figures; dangerous. Shaman Princess is speedy and can prove very tough if able to secure unchallenged early lead. Danneel was a determined maiden winner last time; price will be tempting.
