Top Pick Results 2019: 83-32-18-11
2019 Overall: +$6.80
Top Pick Results overall: 124-42-30-13
Race 1: 4,1,5
No Hayne No Gayne ran against much tougher last time so today should appreciate the class relief. She has faced most of these horses before and has run well against them including a win 2 starts back over Out of Orbit.
Out of Orbit has finished in the money in all 3 starts so far in 2019 and has only missed the money twice in 8 starts at Aqueduct. She has run well against this class in the past so I would be surprised if she missed the money here.
Free Kitty has run her best races since being claimed by Rudy and loves this 1 mile distance as she has never missed the board at it and has never missed the board at Aqueduct. If she breaks well Kendrick will have a shot to wire this field with her.
Race 2: 2,5,6
Mandatory Payout has 2 races under his belt and today is a first time gelding. His last race here was a solid effort breaking from the outside post so I expect to see an improvement today from a more inside post. Also Rob Altras is 60% with horses 1st off the claim.
Creative Style has run well in all 4 starts but never keeps coming up just short. Today with Reyes in the irons will be his 4th different jockey in 5 starts which I am not a huge fan of. I think he is too dangerous to toss from exotics and multi’s but trying to beat on top.
Mental Model was a badly beaten favorite in his debut and now is dropping in for a tag after being gelded. I am surprised with the pedigree on this one that they didn’t try out the turf first but has been working well since his debut so will use in multi’s.
Race 3: 2,7,5
Lemonist is coming in off a win at this distance at Gulfsteam Park and has been steadily improving since the end of 2018. I’m also a fan that he does not have a tag on him today meaning I think Pletcher has plans for this horse if he can win today.
Prioritize is coming in off the layoff for his 4 year old debut. Last time we saw him he finished 3rd in a G2 at Belmont which is more than any of the others here have done. He also gets Bravo in the irons who I am a fan of, but never seems to ride great here at Aqueduct so taking a small stand against this one.
Ninety One Assault is one of those horses who always seems to have a shot to win late in races. He gets Junior on him today which I am a fan of so I will use this one on all my multi’s.
Race 4:
This is a tough race in the early pick 5 sequence as any of these low class maidens can win here. This is a race where I would use most if not all on my multi tickets and just let it ride. Race 5: 7,4,3
Taking a shot here with Step to the Bank who is getting Lasix for the first time today and is coming in off his 3rd straight bullet work. I know he ran out of gas in his last race where he set a solid pace, but hoping the Lasix gets the job done for him.
Mott has never been the greatest with first time starters, but the pedigree on this one is intriguing enough for me to use. Sired by El Padrino who was fast should suite this one nicely for this 6-1/2 distance. Also gets Junior in the irons and Mott and Junior have always made a solid team.
Bassman Dave ran huge in his debut to finish 2nd over Step to the Bank. A repeat effort here today will make him tough so I am including on my multi’s.
Race 6: 3,9,2
Barrel of Destiny was given back to John Hertler after 3 races away from him and she has been running her best races so far in 2019. I am not a huge fan of the cutback in distance, but she has run well going short before so taking a shot here.
Merlins Muse is making her 4 year old debut today and has run well at this distance in the past. Not a fan of Cancel in the irons so can’t use her on top for a win bet, but I would not rule her out of your multi’s.
Wantagh Queen is one of those horses who starts gets her best stride too late in races, but is perfect to use underneath for exotic wagers.
Race 7: 5
Big Muddy got claimed after an impressive win here back in January and is back at the same distance for Michelle Nevin, but keeps Manny Franco in the irons which I love seeing after claims. He would be my single for the late Pick 4 and 5.
Race 8: 6,8,1
Fast Getaway just missed last time after stalking the pace in his 3 year old finale. Today making his 4 year old and has been working okay all year including a bullet on March 18th.
Shamrock Kid is going dirt to turf for Brad Cox who has been excellent at this move all year. I think this one does want to go longer, but with Carmouche in the irons very well could go gate to wire here.
Big Engine is going dirt to turf for Jason Servis and is coming off an impressive maiden win here back in February. I put this one as my third choice because the field he beat last time out has come back very weak.
Race 9:
Like Race 4, I can see this race going a lot of different ways so will only use in multi’s. I would use 4,5,7,9,11 to end my pick 4’s and Pick 5’s and just let that ride.