I’m back and firing away at Aqueduct with 10 races today on this friday card, races 2,3,8, and 10 are all going to be off turf while the feature 9th race, the Central Park stakes, should be staying on so plan accordingly. First post is going to be at 11:50 A.M., best of luck if you’re playing along and be sure to follow me on twitter @cjfelts87.
Through 19 Daily Gallop writeups Total: 169-41-34-35 (24% win, 65% ITM)
Race 1 MSW 70k fillies and mares 3up, 6 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 2,6 B: 1,5
Top pick- #6 Lots to Like
- This FTS opens 3-1 and has been training well for Michael Matz. The other horses with experience haven’t been able to run to par so I have no problem favoring a first time starter by Speightstown.
Second choice- #2 Beauty Buzz
- Could be a threat today if she steps up today off the layoff, she finished fourth behind three next out winners and Mark Hennig has her in a nice spot today.
Underneath- #1 Blahnik, #4 Spin Control, #5 Our Ticket
Race 2 ALW 75k n1x 3up, 1 mile OFF TURF
Multi Race- A: 5,8 B: 2
Top pick- #5 Felix in Fabula
- 8-5 MTO looks pretty good on paper, last race at the n1x level hit the gate at the start but was still able to race well enough for third. Most likely will be favored and will wait to see who the rider will be but picking him as my top choice.
Second choice- #8 Everyonelovesjames
- Set the pace in an off track race 2 back at this level and was second best that day, thinking he’ll be in the mix again today as this race moves to the dirt.
Underneath- #2 Creative Style, #6 Chantry Flats, #10 Ghost Giant, #11 Quality Choice
Race 3 MSW 62k state bred fillies and mares, 6 furlongs OFF TRACK
Multi Race- A: 2,3 B: 4,10
Top pick- #3 Medellin
- Another FTS I’m landing on here, has been training well and trainer Jorge Abreu is 22% with a $3.61 ROI with his debut runners. May not get 6-1 here but will take a shot.
Second choice- #2 Ladycliff
- Also a first time starter who can hopefully get involved if she fires from the gate.
Underneath- #4 Silver Bank, #10 Bean Indiscreet
Race 4 CLM 10k fillies and mares 3up, 6.5 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 2,8 B: 3,4
Top pick- #2 Keep Your Distance
- Tough race of claimers here but ultimately I landed on this 5 year old mare. Declan Carroll will stay on as she gets back to the dirt and she did win against 16k claimers 2 back at Belmont going 6 furlongs. She has won at the distance before and 3-1 is a fair price today.
Second choice- #8 My Chelsea Charm
- She’s an interesting shipper from Charlestown. Has shown speed against tougher and she’s 2 for 2 at the distance. I like Hector Diaz to give her a good ride today and she seems to be well placed for her first start with trainer Jeffery Englehart.
Underneath- #3 Awesome Quick, #4 Cotton Candy Cutie, #7 Little Nanny
Race 5 MCL 30k 2yo fillies, 6 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 4,10 B: 6,12
Top pick- #10 Summer Belief
- She’ll drop in for a tag and switch back to dirt after flashing speed at Belmont in her debut. Chad Summers has good numbers in all the relevant categories and Luis Rodriguez stays aboard.
Second choice- #4 Super Twenty Seven
- Seems to be the post time favorite opening at 9-2 ML, positive jock switch, was competitive in her debut, and switches back to dirt.
Underneath- #6 Annoula, #8 Over Thirsty, #12 La Negrita
Race 6 CLM 12.5k 3up, 1 mile
Multi Race- A: 3,5 B: 7,8
Top pick- #5 Gypsum Johnny
- 7 year old gelding stretches out for Linda Rice, who has a positive ROI when she teams up with Lezcano. Linda Rice always does well stretching her runners out and I’d expect to see a good result today.
Second choice- #3 Tour de Force
- He has the speed to be involved and can get back into form second off the layoff. He’ll enjoy the class relief and should be up front most of the way around.
Underneath- 1/1A Entry, #7 Big Thicket, #8 Neighborhood Bully, #9 Sir Ballentine
Race 7 ALW 66k n1x state bred fillies and mares 3up, 6 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 5,10 B: 2,4
Top pick- #10 Ella’s Song
- I’ll take a chance with this 15-1 shot in a weak n1x field. She has a lot of speed and might be underrated being a Finger Lakes shipper, she’ll have pace to run into and her ability times look really good on paper.
Second choice- #5 Eye’s on You
- This is another Finger Lakes shipper but she opens at 9-2 ML, I don’t think that should be overlooked. Seems to be rounding into form for a trainer who is not familiar to the NYRA circuit.
Underneath- #2 Gilda Marie, #4 Sweet Meadow Mist, #9 Carlisle Belle
Race 8 AOC 40k n2x state bred fillies and mares 3up, 6 furlongs OFF TURF
Multi Race- A: 10,14 B: 4,13
Top pick- #14 She Takes Charge
- She has won both of her career starts sprinting and should be dangerous in here as an 8-5 MTO. 3/3 ITM at Aqueduct and she has speed to be involved all the way around.
Second choice- #10 Forgotten Hero
- I think she could be a nice overlay at 15-1 ML, has the back class winning a stakes race at Aqueduct last December and with the right setup could do the same today.
Underneath- #1 Lovely La La, #4 Sadie Lady, #5 Magic Fairy, #13 Cash Offer
Race 9 Central Park Stakes 100k 2yo, 1 1/16 miles turf
Multi Race- A: 3,10 B: 1,2
Top pick- #3 Homeland
- $500k purchase by American Pharoah showed a lot of promise in his debut and now steps right up to test stakes company. Has good closing speed and Junior Alvarado stays aboard.
Second choice- #10 Pixelate
- Tried stakes company last out and finished second by a neck, now adds distance and Lezcano stays aboard, but 8-5 seems too short a price for me to put on top.
Underneath- #1 Mo Ready, #2 City Man
Race 10 MCL 25k state bred fillies and mares 3up, 6 furlongs
Multi Race- A: 7,11 B: 12,13
Top pick- #7 Vitanza
- Bad race of maidens but I’ll put him on top because he showed some ability on an off track last out and he seems on paper to be the least bad in the field.
Second choice- #11 Paradiso
- Manny Franco will stay aboard and his past two races on dirt have been decent enough to be a contender today.
Underneath- #12 Trumpit, #13 Gray Witch