Another Friday at the Big A, the usual 8 races with a first post of 1:20. This looked like a tougher card than weeks prior but I’ve been hot lately so we’ll try to keep it rolling today! As always be sure to follow me on twitter @cjfelts87. Good luck!
Longshot play(s) of the day: Race 3 #7, Race 7 #2
Best Bet(s): Race 4 #5
Through 22 Daily Gallop writeups Total: 233-62-41-54 (26% win, 67% ITM)
Aqueduct meet totals: 84-26-9-23, $2.40 ROI for every $2 bet ($168 wagered = $202.30 returned)
Race 1 MCL 25k state bred 4up, 1 mile
Multi Race- A: 6,7 B: 1
Top pick- #7 The Joke’s On You
- 3-5 ML favorite so there’s really no value here but seems to have an easy spot first off the claim for Linda Rice. Stretching out to a mile which is a move Rice does particularly well with (29% in 84 starts).
Second choice- #6 Da Berg
- 5-2 ML is a nice price if you’re trying to play against, looks like the second best on paper but finished second last out as the favorite in a race that had slow fractions. Will try again but has a tough competitor drawing to his outside.
Underneath- #1 Plebe
Race 2 CLM 16k fillies and mares 4up, 6 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 2,6 B: 4,8
Top pick- #2 Cold Hearted Pearl
- You probably won’t end up getting 4-1 ML but she looks pretty good on paper shipping over from Parx. Has speed drawing from the rail and gets a nice jock upgrade to Carmouche.
Second choice- #6 Cover Photo
- Would probably have had her as my top pick but the fact that it is a cold jockey and trainer throws you off a bit. Still, put up a career best beyer as a 4 year old in her first start this year and moves a little up the class ladder first off the claim.
Underneath- #4 Radiantrithym, #8 Linda’s Ballet
Race 3 CLM 25k N2L 4up, 1 mile
Multi Race- A: 2,7 B: 5
Top pick- #7 Mine the Coin
- This isn’t a particularly strong field and this 4 year old gelding offers a nice price at 6-1 ML. Broke his maiden last out going a mile and did it well while pressing the pace. Gary Gullo is 29% with last out winners as he stays at the distance and moves on up the class ladder.
Second choice- #2 Soul Fight
- Will try to beat as the 9-5 ML favorite but he looks pretty good in this spot. Toss the last 2 races which were both in the mud and he put up a competitive beyer going this distance against tougher. Well spotted here and gets Lezcano in the irons.
Underneath- #5 Legion Storm
Race 4 MSW 68k fillies and mares 4up, 6 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 4,5 B: 3,7
Top pick- #5 Quasar
- Can improve second off the layoff as she adds blinkers. The last race was in the slop so finding a potential fast track should help too. It’s promising that Junior Alvarado stays aboard after her last effort.
Second choice- #4 Empirita
- She is very interesting to me at 8-1 ML. Last race was back in January at Mahoning Valley and that was off of a 2 year layoff. Can improve here even as she steps up into a weak maiden special field and could surprise at a nice price.
Underneath- #3 Gottahaveaholiday, #7 Jasminesque
Race 5 AOC 80k state bred 3yo, 1 mile
Multi Race- A: 5,7 B: 4
Top pick- #7 Giant Shoes
- I have no interest playing the 4-5 ML favorite so I’ll turn to the 7-2 second choice. Presser type draws the outside and can fire off the layoff. Finds a fast track as he drops down to a nice spot as trainer Brad Cox is 23% off 61-180 day layoffs and 22% stretching out. Dylan Davis stays on.
Second choice- #5 Prince of Pharoahs
- Obvious horse to beat after the Grade 3 withers proved too much, but I can’t help but feel they’ve lost some hope with him being he is a triple crown nominee. Still, the race to break his maiden was impressive and he is well spotted for Linda Rice and Jose Lezcano.
Underneath- #4 Somethingtotellyou
Race 6 CLM 8k 4up, 1 mile
Multi Race- A: 3,6 B: 8
Top pick- #3 Business Cycle
- Ran second last out to an impressive winner in Where’s Rudy, now stays at the same level and gets a nice jock upgrade to Manny Franco. Looks to be in good form and Gary Gullo has been hot this meet.
Second choice- #6 Monteleone
- Another overpriced Linda Rice runner. Drops way down from 25k claimers suggesting they’re just trying to get rid of him. Has the speed to be competitive in this spot but I’m weary of putting him on top at 9-5 ML.
Underneath-
Race 7 AOC 80k n1x fillies 3yo, 6 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 2,5 B: 4,6
Top pick- #2 Ilchester Cheetah
- You might be able to get a bit of a price on her as she ships over from Charles Town. Won her last race going 4.5 furlongs and that was in the slop, but it’s nice to see the connections making an aggressive move plus gets Jose Lezcano in the irons. Has speed drawing from the inside and will most likely be up front with the 5 and the 6 but could pull it off.
Second choice- #5 Fierce Lady
- I had a hard time putting her on top because of a short 2-1 price but she can improve second off the layoff and the drop in class will help too. Well spotted for trainer Dermot Magner and has a nice bullet workout coming into today. Eric Cancel aboard.
Underneath- #4 Leaveuwithasmile, #6 Autonomous
Race 8 MCL 40k state bred fillies 3yo, 6 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 1,3 B: 5,6
Top pick- #3 Central Exit
- Makes the most sense on paper with a bunch of first time starters. Her last race was decent at this level and Eric Cancel stays on today. 2-1 ML favorite so don’t expect a price but she is the one to beat.
Second choice- #1 Left Leaning Lucy
- Decent race on debut where she had a mild kick in the stretch and can improve off that experience. Slight jump in class with Manny Franco aboard.
Underneath- #5 Tiny Magoo, #6 Hayezhee