Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Friday, Nov. 14
Best bet: VINTAGE VINO (8)
Best value: FREE DANCE (2)
FIRST: Spring Magic makes quick return and gets class and distance relief; primed. Maggie T owns speed and drops; dangerous. Echo in Eternity could be the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues.
SECOND: Free Dance drops after making menacing middle move in last; more to come. Golden Plate should pack amplified wallop with cutback to sprint. Social Hour is fleet-footed and owns fast figures; big-time player.
THIRD: Poppy's Ticket, a strong third in debut this past May, is training with a purpose for return. Merica's Back owns speed and fast figures but has finished second in four of six starts; your move. Speightful Storm is competitive on best efforts.
FOURTH: Chasing Freedom set sizzling splits when a clear-cut second in debut; softer flow predicted. Brooklyn Styles could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Eva Ready should be aided by cutback to sprint.
FIFTH: Chummers made sustained rally to win last; pairs up. Funny Factor owns sprinter's speed and could play out as the controlling front-runner. Jaxer overcame post 11 to win most recent; worth long look.
SIXTH: Hurricane Kaz drops after displaying improved speed in last. Twisted Banker adds blinkers after even fourth in debut; very interesting. Central Spirit (improving works) and Vinnie Bankerino (strong breeding on dam's side) are newcomers that must be factored into the mix if the money says yes.
SEVENTH: Heavyweight Champs owns fast back figures and is favorably posted outside. Because the Night could impact at fat ticket if pace meltdown ensues. Ava's Uncle Billy fired half-mile bullet on Oct. 25; don't ignore.
EIGHTH: Vintage Vino consistently logs the field's fastest late-pace figures; swift back numbers seal the deal. Oat Coutour tallied solid final fraction when winning last; dangerous. Rabaja owns speed and logged both wins on Big A sod; big-time player.
NINTH: Dinghy Bar compiled tight work tab for first start in seven weeks; ready. Twenty One Red outworked 218 rivals in half-mile bullet on Nov. 1; dangerous. Sir Walta is speedy and could prove tough on a soft lead. Music in Motion debuts for dam that has produced two turf winners; don't ignore.
