Aqueduct H.

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Originally slated for January 23, the $100,000 Aqueduct H. (G3) will finally
be decided Sunday at the Big A. In an eight-deep field of certified speed,
we’ll go with a closer in LORD LANGFUHR (Langfuhr), who enters with a
three-race win streak. The James Jerkins trainee’s latest win came over
Aqueduct’s inner dirt course in the Alex M. Robb H., an event run at Sunday’s 1
1/16-mile distance. With three wins and two seconds from five starts over the track and a record of 4-2-2-0 at
8 1/2 furlongs, Lord Langfuhr can beat the favorites at 6-1 on the morning line.

Todd Pletcher sends out TALES OF GLORY (Honour and Glory), who owns two wins
in a row over the inner dirt at Aqueduct. In the colt’s most recent outing, an
$85,000 optional claimer, he recorded a BRIS Speed rating of 108. He steps up
here and may steal it on the lead.

Listed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite, the versatile AGGADAN (Carnivalay)
must be respected. He enters with two wins in a row himself, the latest in the
Jennings H. at Pimlico. More successful sprinting, the five-year-old ran second
to 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper (Awesome Again) in the Tom Fool H. (G2)
last July, and with that back class we have to use the Richard Dutrow
trainee in the exotics.

REGION OF MERIT (Touch Gold) has a tendency to come up short as the
five-year-old has finished second six times in a row. We’ll use the chestnut in
the bottom of the gimmicks and suggest betting him to place. NEW YORK HERO
(Partner’s Hero) owns the highest Speed figure at today’s distance, recording a
113 here early last year. If the Jennifer Pedersen-trained five-year-old can
return to that form as he steps back up Sunday, he may get up for part.

Michael Brice claimed ROGUE AGENT (Anjiz) two back and returned the gelding
to the track in the Alex M. Robb, where he finished a game second while contesting the
lead throughout. He rates our longshot special. MAHZOUZ (Charismatic) steps up
here and may be outclassed, although he should be closing with our top
selection. COUNTRY BE GOLD (Summer Squall) has two starts in a row over this
track but has not shown an affinity for it. We’ll go against.