Another edition of Aqueduct Fridays, this week we have 9 races with some bigger fields which is a nice change of scenery at the Big A, hoping we can get a couple winners and keep that hot streak going! It looks like it will be raining all day so keep that in mind when handicapping, and there’s a first post time of 1:30. As always follow me on twitter @cjfelts87. Good luck!
Longshot play(s) of the day: Race 2 #3, Race 9 #14
Best Bet(s): Race 4 #3, Race 8 #10
Daily Gallop stats- Total: 249-68-43-58 (27% win, 67% ITM)
Aqueduct meet totals: 100-32-11-27, $2.47 ROI for every $2 bet ($200 wagered = $247.20 returned)
Race 1 MCL 25k 3yo, 1 mile
Multi Race- A: 6,8 B: 1,3
Top pick- #6 Lost in Rome
- 2nd time starter ran a decent race on debut after getting bumped at the start and still managed to close for second. Ships over from Laurel and gets a jock upgrade to Eric Cancel. May not get a fast track today but ran well enough in the slop where it wouldn’t change my pick.
Second choice- #8 Lightning Rob
- Has speed drawing from the outside and will appreciate cutting back to a one turn mile. Likes the Aqueduct surface with 2 seconds in 2 tries and could offer a nice price at 3-1 ML.
Underneath- #1 Timing, #3 Icy Dude
Race 2 CLM 16k N3L 4up, 1 mile
Multi Race- A: 1/1A, 3 B: 6,7
Top pick- #3 Somebody
- Drops back down to 16k after 25k proved to be too much, but he won at the N2L level by 7 lengths. Will have some pace to run into as bug rider Julio Correa hops on for a hot trainer in James Bond.
Second choice- #1/1A Entry
- The 1A Bears Mafia is the clear reason why the entry is the even money favorite and and he may very well be the horse to beat, but I see no value at a short price so I’ll play against. Wins at the N2L level by 10 lengths after leading the whole way and gets claimed by Linda Rice. Now stays at the same level stretching out to a mile and may see a wet track again. It’s Linda Rice stretching out first off the claim with Jose Lezcano, which is why he is even money.
Underneath- #6 Local Edition, #7 Vineyard Sound
Race 3 MSW 60k state bred 4up, 6 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 5,7 B: 1,4
Top pick- #7 Kid d’Oro
- Can improve second off the layoff for Jason Servis as Eric Cancel stays on. Will be sent to the front and the pace scenario looks good for him if he can improve. 9-5 ML favorite.
Second choice- #5 Hot Brown
- Looks to be the main speed in this race, Manny Franco stays aboard for Charlton Baker. Will have to rebound from his last effort but might benefit from a potential wet track.
Underneath- #1 Big Boy Mo, #4 Freudian Fate
Race 4 CLM 16k N2L fillies and mares 4up, 6 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 3,4 B: 6
Top pick- #3 Wisconsin Night
- This seems to be a 2 horse race and I’ll be siding with Wisconsin Night. Drops down to 16k after failing as the favorite at the 25k level, has speed and has won at the distance before. Linda Rice and Jose Lezcano have a positive ROI when they team up.
Second choice- #4 Teletype
- 8-5 ML favorite is a maiden on dirt (which should tell you how bad this field is) but she’s dropping down in class and adds blinkers- Rudy Rodriguez has a positive ROI making that move. She also has speed and will be pressing the pace right along side Wisconsin Night.
Underneath- #6 Dazzling Speed
Race 5 MSW 60k state bred fillies and mares 4up, 1 mile
Multi Race- A: 3,7 B: 1,2
Top pick- #3 Amos
- 6-5 ML favorite comes into this race second off the layoff for a hot trainer in Michael Miceli as Dylan Davis stays on today. Will have no problem facing a possible wet track again and finds a pretty weak maiden special field today.
Second choice- #7 Deep Space
- Ships over from Turfway for an underrated trainer and hopes to show improvement with the addition of blinkers. Junior Alvarado gets the mount and could benefit from the surface switch.
Underneath- #1 Flattering Eyes, #2 Spin Your Partner
Race 6 AOC 50k fillies 3 yo, 6 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 1,6 B: 2,3
Top pick- #1 The Important One
- This was a tricky race to handicap with so much speed and trying to figure out what the pace might look like but I landed on this 5-1 shot. Has speed drawing from the rail and is well spotted for trainer Wesley Ward who means business when he sends horses here- has hit the board in all 4 starts with a win. Steps up after winning on debut and Dylan Davis keeps the mount.
Second choice- #6 Rude Awakening
- 1st off the claim for Linda Rice, hesitant to put on top at a short price but stays at the same level and will be up front early on. Jose Lezcano gets the call.
Underneath- #2 Punk Rock Princess, #3 Ms. Malevolence
Race 7 CLM 35k N3L 4up, 1 mile
Multi Race- A: 1/1A, 3 B: 2,7
Top pick- 1/1A Entry
- Both parts of the entry are intriguing to me here at 7-5 ML. #1 Starting Point drops down to 35k after 50k claimers proved to be too much first off the claim; has speed as he stays at a mile. #1A Spectator Sport is also making a drop in class from the starter allowance 50k level, has been posting competitive beyers and Eric Cancel stays on.
Second choice- #3 Promo Code
- Finished second against 50k N3L claimers last out in the slop and now drops in class. May have to see a wet track again and Todd Pletcher is not great with claimers. Still, has the figures to make him dangerous against this group.
Underneath- #2 Family Biz, #7 Later Cat
Race 8 AOC 62k n2x 4up, 6.5 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 9,10 B: 6,11
Top pick- #10 Identity Politics
- This is more of a pace play than anything, in a field with a ton of speed I’m hoping he gets a good trip from Manny Franco and stalks the pace all the way through. Improving in form for Chad Brown as he gets another try at this level.
Second choice- #9 Mr. Dougie Fresh
- 1st off the claim for Rob Atras and has the speed to be involved in what looks to be a hot pace. Jockey switch to an aggressive rider and Carmouche and wouldn’t mind a wet track.
Underneath- #6 Legit, #11 Explorationist
Race 9 MCL 25k state bred 3yo, 6 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 13,14 B: 2,5
Top pick- #14 Box of Rain
- He didn’t do much against the maiden special level but now gets a drop in class and draws the outside. May benefit from a wet track with a tomlinson wet figure of 406 and gets and underrated jockey in Romero Maragh.
Second choice- #13 Brian’s Last Song
- Might get a beyer boost as a first time gelding and Pletcher’s runners tend to fire first off the layoff. Dropping in class and has the speed to be competitive.
Underneath- #2 Dawn’s Early Light, #5 Wesworld, #7 Go Rudy Go