Steve Matthews' Aqueduct picks for Sunday, March 23
Best Bet: ROMEO VOID (9)
Best Value: IMMIGRATION LAW (6)
FIRST: Atrocious bounced last time after fast-figured placing in prior; rebounds today. Always Be Smart needed last and owns swift back numbers. Party With Smarty is rested and makes first dirt start with maiden-claiming tag; worth a look.
SECOND: Yo Leven makes first start since claimed after smoking maidens by 16 lengths last time; more to come. The Big Calhouna is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Pam Pam was compromised by bad start last out; don't ignore.
THIRD: Shirl's Delight should pack amplified kick with cutback to 6 furlongs. Tiarella, sidelined for more than a year, is speedy and training sharply; very dangerous. Consumer Sentiment is working with a purpose for debut for Chad Brown; could be the goods.
FOURTH: Buttah was a change-of-pace fourth in last; call based on price potential. Super Swift was a super game second in last; be no surprise. Vekinda delivers strong efforts with machine-like consistency; right in the thick of this.
FIFTH: Daneel makes third start of form cycle; turnback to sprint seals the deal. Sunset Park is fresh and gets Lasix; very interesting. Good Mission was a clear-cut second in last two; must be factored into the mix.
SIXTH: Immigration Law drops and compiled tight work tab for first start since October; primed for big effort. Royal Bobbie gets class relief after being declared a non-starter in debut; very playable. Eddie Marie fired 3-furlong bullet since useful fifth in debut; don't dismiss.
SEVENTH: King Phoenix broke maiden by nearly eight lengths last out; more to come. Three B's adds blinkers, takes sizeable class drop and owns fast back numbers; very dangerous. Brave Bear also gets class relief and will offer generous odds; don't ignore.
EIGHTH: Walk With Me was third in key-race last time; three works in the interim seal the deal. Grace Reformed logged three wins and a second from last four starts; worth long look. Purpose overcame wide trip and slow fractions to break maiden last out; price will be tempting.
NINTH: Romeo Void projects as the controlling speed with heads-up handling. Have a Cigar runs late and should find 1 1/8-miles right in his wheelhouse; very playable. Dio Romano was an improved fifth in last; price will be tempting. Lucky Dragon was second to a 10-length winner last out; must consider.
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