Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Saturday, April 5

By Steve Matthewssteve.matthews@newsday.comApril 1, 2025

Best bet: CRIMSON LIGHT (8)

Best value: BRAMITO (2)

FIRST: Prairie Dunes is 0-for-16 but lands in soft spot; breakthrough predicted. Fly'n Frisbee drops after speed and fade in last; price will be tempting. True Connection would be aided by pace meltdown.

SECOND: Bramito tallied fast pace and final numbers when winning last; more to come. General Partner fits Chad Brown's signature pattern; be no surprise. Twenty Four Mamba is riding a forward line on the figures; don't ignore.

THIRD: I Can See That, idle for more than a year, hails from potent layoff barn (Bruce Levine). Magic Beach nearly stole it on the front end last time; speedy threat once again. Nine N Four would be aided by pace meltdown.

FOURTH: Best Bet is fleet-footed, drops and adds blinkers; wire to wire. Catch the Smoke will be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Empty Tomb takes precipitous price plunge in first start since Jan. 3; proceed with caution.

FIFTH: Dr. Barry was a useful third in first start since four-month absence; moves forward today. Ferris Muler owns fast numbers on best efforts; price will be tempting. Twohonestmischief was caught eight wide at the top of stretch last time; worth long look.

SIXTH: Masterwork bounced last time after solid placing in prior; rebounds. Because the Night drops and gets additional furlong; dangerous. Prove Worthy is given suspicious class drop; handle with care at short odds.

SEVENTH: Sea Dancer logged three tight works since clear-cut win at Laurel last out; ready for prime time. Irish Maxima, another that won last in Maryland, could prove very tough on a soft lead. St. Benedicts Prep owns positional speed and fast numbers; dangerous.

EIGHTH: Crimson Light overcame disastrous start to win debut 15 months ago; 5-furlong bullet to end work tab seals the deal. Stewie is speedy and could prove very tough to reel in; very playable. Saint Gaudens is training with a purpose for Chad Brown; must consider.

NINTH: Early On owns fast late-pace figures and ships in for Saffie Joseph Jr.; rates close call. Ballerina d'Oro was a fast-figured second in lone start at the Big A; very dangerous. Liam in the Dust is right in the thick of this on best efforts.

10TH: Full Moon Madness tallied swift internal and final numbers when winning Tom Fool last time; must sidestep bounce. Maximus Meridius got the better of top selection in prior two efforts; big-time threat. Crazy Mason is riding a two-race winning streak and will offer juicy odds; very interesting.

11TH: Phileas Fogg projects as the speed of the speed with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Crupi looms the prime beneficiary if top selection gets dueled into defeat. Batten Down is a two-time winner at the 10-furlong trip; must be factored into the mix.

12TH: Sand Devil was done in by poor start and pace pressure last time; softer flow predicted. Hill Road should improve after flat third in Tampa Bay Derby last time; stretch threat. Captain Cook has won both starts on Big A loam; right in the thick of this.

13TH: Dolomite should pack amplified wallop with cutback to 7 furlongs. Sohana may play out as the dominant speed. Monetary Monarch took backward step in last after winning prior two starts; don't ignore. Clover Street could impact if pace meltdown ensues.