Superb card today at Aqueduct, with the Grade I Cigar Mile being the main course in a ten race card. Three additional graded stakes are part of this Saturday banquet, so let’s cut to the chase:
1st race: 1 1/8 Mile. (Turf) OC 40000n1x. THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
12-9-3
Zap Daddy was best last time out despite not having a clean break off the gate. Was claimed out of that race and worked a bullet in preparation. Irad takes over. Hierarchy has the most upside and takes a nice cutback in distance.
Off the Turf: 1A-11-13
2nd race: 1 Mile. Mdn 70k. FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD.
8-9-1
If Lion Dance repeats his debut run, in which he lost a photo to future Grade II winner Signalman, they will all be running for second. Three months on the shelf maybe is somewhat of a doubt, but his works have been solid and consistent. Kentucky Wildcat already has the experience routing in a race in which he was slightly bumped at the start.
3rd race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) Clm 25000n2L. FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
10-1-9
First out for Englehart, who excels at sending a runner first off the claim (32%). With only eight lifetime starts, maybe his ceiling hasn’t been reached yet. Saratoga Colonel beat my favorite last time out and now draws the rail, Franco stays up. Three Perfections was eased LTO and comes back relatively quickly.
Off the turf: 10-16-12
4th race: 1 1/8 Mile. ™Demoisel-G2 Demoiselle S. Grade II. Purse $250,000 FOR FILLIES TWO YEARS OLD
3-4-6
Filly Joel looked like a star last time out, if she repeats that one will be a very tough beat. Since that last effort, has worked two bullets at Aqueduct. Positive Spirit has already run at two turns, a definitive advantage on two year olds. The big longshot is Afleet Destiny, who goes from Salgado to Irad and has won at two turns already.
5th race: 6 Furlongs. (Outer Turf) ™‘Alw 66000n1x FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
12-7-2
Way Smart takes a healthy cutback, from a mile and a sixteenth to six furlongs. Should be fond of a probable speed duel up front. Something Joyful returns to the hands of Castellano, who already guided him to victory and Englehart hits at 34% when running a beaten favorite.
Off the Turf: 6-11-16
6th race: 1 Mile. ™GoFrWndH-G3 Go for Wand H. Grade III.
7-1-8
Come Dancing ran very creditably last time out and her race looks better now after Wow Cat’s performance in the BC Distaff. Johnny V. takes over. Marley’s Freedom is maybe the one to beat, but jumping from seven furlongs to a mile is a concern.
7th race: 6 Furlongs. (Outer Turf) OC 62500n2x. FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
3-6-14
Almithmaar is inexperienced on the grass, but has been facing much better horses, and Johnny V rides back. Interestingly, not an MTO. Adonis Creed won last time out in a group that compares favorably with this one. Three works posted from that last race onwards.
Off the Turf: 15-1A-11
8th race: 1 1/8 Mile. Remsen-G2 Remsen S. Grade II. Purse $250,000 FOR TWO YEAR OLDS
7-5-6
I will take a shot in this race with Tax, a 50,000 claim for Danny Gargan. Gets Lasix for the first time and has the two turn experience already. Manny Franco goes for Gargan and has three works in preparation, each new one better tan the one before. Network Effect ran nicely in the Grade III Nashua. He ran hard all race, and Chad Brown hits at 37% in he second route race.
9th race: 1 Mile. CigarMiH-G1 Cigar Mile H. Presented by NYRA Bets PRESENTED BY NYRA BETS. Grade I. Purse $750,000
5-3-1
Upcomer Copper Town seems ready to take a big step forward in the older male division. That return race was just perfect to prepare him for much more higher goals, and a Grade I certainly fits the bill. Pat On The Back is a very nice NY Bred that steps up in class for this one, and should get a pretty good set up for his late run to be effective. Mendelssohn drops to a more suitable distance, but I think he is a a better two turn horse.
10th race: 6½ Furlongs. ‘Alw 66000n1x Purse $66,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
10-11-5
Charlton Baker sends two in the finale, and Smokin Platinum is the one that I think should get a better set up. Baker hits at a 30% clip with beaten faves. Quest for Fire returns from an eight month stay on the bench and should be forwardly placed from the latch.