Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Thursday, Jan. 22

By Steve Matthewssteve.matthews@newsday.comJanuary 19, 2026 8:10 pm

Best bet: GIANT AT WORK (4)

Best value: CASILDA (2)

FIRST: Treaty Obligation fired swift half-mile drill for return from two-month freshener. I'm A Gambler also is rested and training sharply; dangerous. Celestial Glaze logged four seconds and a third from eight starts last year; must consider.

SECOND: Casilda was claimed from front-running score last time; returns quick dividends for new barn. Always Practical is rested and could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Sheer Will delivers strong efforts with machinelike consistency; be no surprise.

THIRD: Awesome Empire gets aggressive price hike and adds blinkers in first start since claimed; main speed with proper ride. Lou runs late and could be aided by additional furlong. Adventurist regressed last time after fast-figured win in prior; rebound threat.

FOURTH: Giant At Work overcame poor start and slow pace to win last; takes another. Princess Becca was a wire-to-wire winner in last; very dangerous. Fast and Frisky took backward step in last after hard-fought placing two back; must consider.

FIFTH: Hot Gossip bounced last out after clear-cut placing in prior; rebounds today. Sparkling Mama is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Fatima Blush fits Chad Brown's signature pattern; must be factored into the mix.

SIXTH: Aunt Yola compiled tight work tab for first start since August; ready. Vino Frizzante makes first start since claimed by Linda Rice; more than good enough on best. La Gran Artesana is a front-end threat on "A" efforts.

SEVENTH: The Toy Cannon was claimed by Brad Cox when a 10-length winner in last outing; more to come. Essentially Fast could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat. Sculcos Folly owns speed and fast figures; right in the thick of this.

EIGHTH: Twirling Beauty was dueled into defeat last time; softer flow predicted. With the Angels owns five wins and two seconds from seven starts; guaranteed underlay. My Magic Wand, a four-time winner from six starts, looms another short-priced contender. Goodnightandgodbless could impact at fat ticket if pace meltdown ensues.