Another solid card in store at Aqueduct, with the $100,000 La Verdad Stakes being the centerpiece of the card, honoring a great New York Bred filly, the 2015 Eclipse Award winner for female sprinter of the year. Fittingly, the race is for NY Breds filly and mare sprinters. Let’s get to the races:
1st race: 1 Mile. ‘MC 25000 Purse $33,000 FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
Got the Gist (#3) – This is a very bad bunch, so you need to think a lil bit out of the box to try to come up with a winner. This filly went to the sidelines for more than a year and returned three weeks ago. She showed speed and understandably got tired late. She should be fitter now and I don’t see much early zip in here, so I expect her to be on the lead. Eric Cancel rides back for Armando de la Cerda.
Causin Trouble (#7) – This filly just has four lifetime races, and she has shown some improvement with every new start. Furthermore, trainer Duggan takes the shades off, and he hits at a 27% clip doing that. Jockey Hernandez retains the mount after riding her three weeks ago, a positive sign.
Youmakemeblush (#1) – From that rail post Reyes will be looking to be forwardly placed to try to avoid ttrouble on the turn. However, she has been a constant money burner, being 3-1 or less in each or her last four races, with no wins to show yet.
2nd race: 1 Mile. Alw 50000s Purse $55,000 (UP TO $9,570 NYSBFOA) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
Playwright (#4) – Two things catch my attention with this horse: he has a nice progression over his last three starts and he hasn’t faced this condition yet, while others have failed repeatedly. Furthermore, his three wins have come at this distance.
Monteleone (#5) – Has two straight wins in groups that compare favorably to this one, and Linda Rice shines when sending a horse to route after two sprints (42%). His question mark is how well he can run at the eight-furlong trip, one he has not traveled yet.
Trustworthy (#1) – He has been the favorite in his last two races, and has failed to deliver. His races hasn’t been bad, but he needs to step up to clear that hurdle. Manny Franco chooses him over my favorite, something to think about.
3rd race: 1 Mile. ™‘Mdn 60k Purse $60,000 FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
Cornetta’s Choice (#6) – She has had two bad starts in two lifetime races. Now she is facing strictly state breds and the mile distance should help her to relax a bit more and come running late. José Lezcano takes over for trainer Jason Egan, and she has been working fine in the mornings.
Delta Gamma (#7) – Solid run in her vow race, and trainer Linda Rice is better second time out. That combo of Rice and Alvarado hits at a 27% clip, and she has more ground now to work with. Very dangerous.
Bee’snbee’s (#2) – Showed improvement second time out with Diaz Jr., who repeats at the saddle. On her debut race, she faced then stakes winner Forgotten Hero, so she has faced some good fillies.
4th race: 6½ Furlongs. ™‘Mdn 60k Purse $60,000 FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
Dreamers and Me (#7) – Just four races on her resume, which is a positive sign in this kind of races, in which there are many horses with plenty of starts already. That last race was against open company and now returns to face only state breds. Cohen stays up for trainer Bruce Levine.
Mrs. Orb (#8) – She is better at a sprint distance like this one. It is true that she is 0 for 8 already, and in her last four she has been 3-1 or less, but her rivals do not show much quality. Jose Lezcano takes over for Miceli, who hits at a 36% clip with a beaten favorite.
Sonic Force (#3) – Of the first time starts, this is the one that is working the best, and he has been on preparation steadily since October. The mile trip should not be any problem for her, and Chris de Carlo likes to win for nice prices. Watch out!
5th race: 6½ Furlongs. OC 62500n2x Purse $75,000 (UP TO $13,050 NYSBFOA) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
Preservationist (#6) – It’s obvious this is a very talented individual, the question mark is how good he is coming into his return race. He has been on the shelf since February, but has been working great at Belmont, steadily since October and two bullets included. James Jerkens puts Junior Alvarado on his back, and he should be watching the speed duel develop and come running late.
Eye Luv Lulu (#4) – Extremely consistent NY Bred who also comes from a bit of a freshening. He should be on the engine from the start, and he is definitely taking a class drop from where he was running when last seen.
Almithmaar (#1) – Those optional claimers in which he has been competing are races just as tough as this one. Don’t fall asleep with this guy, he has the quality to win against these. That last race should be crossed out of his PPs, as he clearly hated the grass.
6th race: 5½ Furlongs. ‘Mdn 60k Purse $60,000 FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
Castle Casanova (#3) – Intriguing race, with lots of first time starters, so I will go with the one that seems to be working better. A bullet from 115 workers is nothing to take lightly, so this one is ready to fire in his vow race.
Hushion (#9) – Has shown plenty of early speed in his three races, now gets back to five and a half furlongs, a distance more suitable to his strengths. He has faced La Fuerza, a stakes winner, in two of these races, so maybe this means a drop in class.
Smooth Tales (#2) – Went for 14 times the stud fee in the yearling sale, and has the Linda Rice and Manny Franco team on board. If he can manage a good trip from that uncomfortable two post, he can be heard off late.
7th race: 6 Furlongs. Alw 70000n1x Purse $70,000 (UP TO $12,180 NYSBFOA) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
Wegotoldyougotsold (#1) – Three wins in a row for this very nice gelding, and each time in a group which was better than the one before. This is the same case, but the race should set up nicely for him. Rajiv Maragh keeps the mount and he has maintain his good form in his works.
Fully Vested (#8) – Of the speed horses in here, I like this one the most. It is true that he has not shown the ability to come from near the lead, but he has come from inside posts lately, and that eight hole should allow him to settle better. Watch out.
The Caretaker (#3) – That last race was disappointing, but before that, he has races that are good enough to give him a good chance against these. Do not be surprised if this horse improves that last effort and scores at a price.
8th race: 7 Furlongs. LaVerdadB100K La Verdad S. Purse $100,000 FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
Satisfy (#9) – Extremely nice filly, with five wins in seven lifetime races. Take a cut back in distance to a trip, which I think is more suitable for her, despite the fact that she just won at a mile. Junior Alvarado and Bill Mott form a formidable partnership and she will come flying in the stretch.
Pauseforthecause (#10) – She has drawn an inside post in her last two races, now she will start from the outside post, which will allow her to sit right off the lead and start her run from the three sixteenth pole on. Rajiv Maragh just guided her to an easy win, and repeats on her saddle.
Kathryn the Wise (#3) – She has been disappointing in her two races after a very prolonged stay on the bench. However, for today, she is maybe the speed of the speed and can be long gone if no one chases her. Manny Franco elects to ride her instead of Sunset Ridge.
9th race: 1„ Mile. Clm 16000n2L Purse $28,000 FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
Metaphorical (#3) – The light bulb angle is in effect with this horse, which won his last race as he pleased. After that, he has worked three times in preparation for this next commitment, and he should be sitting of the early lead and pounce from mid race on.
Bobby G (#6) – Now in his second start in the hands of Jeremiah Englehart, he has worked him three times since that last race. For the first time, Englehart has trained him for the dirt; let’s see if he can wake him up from his lethargic stage.
Simma Cum Laude (#2) – Horse that works great in the mornings, but does not run that well in the afternoons. He broke his maiden in Parx last time out (light bulb again?), so don’t be surprised to see a repeat of that.