Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Friday, April 25
Best bet: SIR OSCAR (8)
Best value: MIRACLE MIKE (7)
FIRST: Linda Rice entry: La Banquera has won four in a row and mate Save Us Melania has won two of last three; short-priced pairing. Proud Foot gets class drop; worth long look. Majestic Return needed last; must be factored into the mix.
SECOND: Calling an Audible has the rail at 1 1/8 miles; weak field also helps. Global Charmer was rested after hard-fought placing on Feb. 15; dangerous. Ah Ca Ira finished second in last three; be no surprise.
THIRD: Vekinda could be in the garden spot if pace battle develops. Kenny Be is firing bullets for first start in 61 days; front-end threat. Naive Melody also owns speed, but hails from Wes Ward barn and is likely to attract too much cash.
FOURTH: Empty Tomb makes first start since claimed and owns fast back figures. Valenzan Day exits determined score in last; very dangerous. Prince of Joy is riding a forward line on the numbers.
FIFTH: Lumenique makes quick return after tough-trip third just eight days ago. Last Mango gets class relief after non-stressful fifth in debut; ample room for improvement. Melancia has failed at odds-on in last two starts; burns more money?
SIXTH: Vow of Secrecy tallied solid final fraction when second in last; more to give. Gypsy Dreaming adds blinkers and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Playing Tricks and Draft Riots are uncoupled newcomers from the Chad Brown barn; care to flip a coin?
SEVENTH: Miracle Mike is rested and should pack amplified late wallop at 6 furlongs; owns win on Big A sod. Bosun won by more than four lengths in first grass start at the Fair Grounds; very dangerous. Attorney Wade captured last on dirt and could play out as the main speed with switch to turf; very playable.
EIGHTH: Sir Oscar was pace-compromised when an improved fourth on Tampa turf last out; drop to NY-bred ranks seals the deal. Tiztimonial, a useful seventh in debut last fall, gets blinkers and Lasix for first 3-year-old outing; worth long look. Alan Turing is from a dam that has produced three turf winners; price will be tempting. Ataturk and Coach Case are uncoupled newcomers from potent first-out barn (Christophe Clement); follow the money.
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