We’re back at it for another Aqueduct Friday with the typical winter time 8 race card, there could definitely be some longshots coming in but to me today’s card seemed pretty straightforward. Some good sequences and first post is at 12:50. As always be sure to follow me on twitter @cjfelts87. Good luck!
Best Bet(s): Race 4- #1, Race 6- #7, Race 8- #10
Through 22 Daily Gallop writeups Total: 201-49-36-45 (24% win, 65% ITM)
Aqueduct meet totals: 52-13-4-16, $1.60 ROI for every $2 bet ($104 wagered = $83.20 returned)
Race 1 MCL 40k state bred 4up, 1 mile
Multi Race- A: 5,6 B: 3,9
Top pick- #5 Implied Volatility
- Gets class relief from the maiden special and a jock upgrade to Lezcano. Has a nice second at this level and distance 3 back and now drops back in for a tag after facing tougher the last two tries. Has the early speed to be competitive today.
Second choice- #6 Dutchmen Forever
- Tough loss beaten a nose first off the layoff but stays at the same level stretching out and has a right to improve.
Underneath- #3 Disciplinarian, #8 Prince of New York, #9 Kid Chocolate
Race 2 CLM 35k N3L fillies and mares 4up, 6 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 3,4 B: 2,5
Top pick- #3 Sadie Lady
- Early speed type drops into a nice 35k conditional claimer and will be on the front end with Manny Franco getting the call today. Seems to be well spotted for a hot trainer in Rob Atras.
Second choice- #4 Cape Cod Diva
- Stepping up to the N3L condition after winning at the N2L condition last time when she proved the surface switch to be no problem. Reylu Gutierrez hops aboard for trainer Mark Hennig who has been having a good Aqueduct meet so far.
Underneath- #2 Dirty Bird, #5 Countable, #7 Overtime Olivia
Race 3 CLM 35k N3L 4up, 1 mile
Multi Race- A: 5,6 B: 1/1A, 4
Top pick- #6 Walkoff
- This 4 year old gelding can fire off the layoff and comes into this race with a sharp 5 furlong work. Winner at this distance and finds a nice N3L race to run into today for Todd Pletcher and Eric Cancel.
Second choice- #5 Hizaam
- Ran against starter allowance company under a sloppy track last out and now drops back to his eligible condition. Likes the mile distance and Lezcano gets the call today.
Underneath- #1/1A Entry, #4 Creative Style, #7 Bozzini
Race 4 AOC 80k n1x state bred 3yo, 1 mile
Multi Race- A: 1 B: 5,6
Top pick- #1 Chowda
- In this short field of 6 he is the horse to beat coming in with some quick works and a drop in class. In a race where only one other horse has won over fast dirt it’s hard to see him getting beat and don’t expect to get near his 2-1 ML price.
Second choice- #6 Forever Wicked
- He’s the only other horse to win over fast dirt in this field and steps up to face a weak n1x optional claiming field. May be the only horse that can pose a threat to Chowda.
Underneath- #5 Microscope
Race 5 MSW 60k state bred fillies 3yo, 6.5 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 8,9 B: 2,5
Top pick- #8 Makingcents
- This daughter of Goldencents ran well on debut and today opens at 7-2 ML even with 9% rider Jorge Vargas staying aboard. It pays to pay attention to the morning line sometimes and she comes into this race with a sharp 4 furlong gate workout.
Second choice- #9 Girl’s Wave
- Think she will benefit from the slightly added distance and should be closer to the pace after getting a bad break in her debut.
Underneath- #2 New York Supreme, #4 Helen Jacqueline, #5 Nicky Scissors
Race 6 CLM 25k N2L 4up, 6.5 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 7,8 B: 3
Top pick- #7 Our Stormin Norman
- First off the claim for trainer Mertkan Kantarmaci who has a positive ROI with first off the claim runners and is moving him right up the class ladder. Has the speed to be competitive and has consistently hit the board at this level.
Second choice- #8 Seven Plus Seven
- Won easily against maiden claimers and now takes a big drop in class after the n1x condition proved to be too much. Has a lot of speed and will be involved late.
Underneath- #3 Cause for Applause
Race 7 AOC 62k n2x 4up, 6.5 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 2,3 B: 4,6
Top pick- #2 Mr. Dougie Fresh
- Has a lot of speed and will be involved in the pace as Lezcano stays on today. Stays at the same level and cuts back from a mile to 6 and a half furlongs. 1st off the claim for Rudy Rodriguez.
Second choice- #3 Call Paul
- Jason Servis trained horse has been running well against stakes company and finds himself a nice n2x race to run in today. I’ve liked this horse since I saw him run at Saratoga 2 years ago and he has the speed to be involved today.
Underneath- #4 Identity Politics, #6 Joevia
Race 8 MCL 25k state bred fillies 3yo, 1 mile
Multi Race- A: 6,10 B: 4,5
Top pick- #10 Be Magic
- 1st off the claim for Linda Rice who has good numbers in that department as she takes a slight class drop and she also has good numbers with runners stretching out. Draws the outside and seems like the least bad of a bunch of bad horses on paper.
Second choice- #6 Stuy Town Baby
- Making a surface switch to dirt after he showed some ability going long on the turf for Mark Casse. Earned one of the best beyers in the field with that start and seems to be in good enough form to compete for a win today.
Underneath- #4 I Am Aine, #5 Shantay You Stay