Making Money at the Track: Plays from Aqueduct
Spring is right around the corner, as post time for Aqueduct is pushed back to 1:00 ET starting today, and we are just four days away from a key Kentucky Derby prep over the Big A main track.
The 59th running of the Gotham Stakes (G3) is this Saturday, a key prep for the Wood Memorial (G1), which is April 3.
Last year’s Gotham was won by I Want Revenge, who may have gone off as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby if an injury did not derail him from the Run for the Roses.
However, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. We still have 13 days of winter racing, with plenty of opportunities to pad our bankroll before we get out the sunblock.
The Aqueduct card for Wednesday can get us off to a good start. The top pick in today’s play of the day is the aptly named Hooked On Money.
Today's Play of the Day from Aqueduct:
AQU Race 2 Clm $15,000B (1:29 ET)
#4 Hooked On Money 5/1
#5 Sezzana 7/5
#2 Im A Mosaic Rocker 4/1`
#3 Apple 6/1
Analysis: #4 Hooked On Money tracked the early pace and finished up well while down along the inside to finish in the runner up spot last out against $7.5K non winners of three. The filly was claimed out of the race by the Guiterrez barn that is showing a 0 for 3 mark first off the claim. Going back five years the barn is showing a 1 for 15 mark first off the claim. Two back this gal was pinched back at the start and made up 13 lengths to come up just a head shy of the top spot. She steps up in price but these are state breds and this looks like it might even be a softer spot. She owns a solid pace profile throughout and has landed in the exacta in four of six trips on the inner in her career.
#5 Sezzana won at this level last out in the mud as the short priced favorite. She really did not beat a very tough group in that outing and the price here is going to be on the light side. However, four of her last five speed figs are good enough to win here, so it may be tough to keep her out of the exacta.
Wagering
WIN: #4 to win at 3/1 or better.
EX: 4,5 / 2,3,4,5
TRI: 4,5 / 2,3,4,5 / 2,3,4,5,7
Today’s Pick 3 Play from Aqueduct:
Starting in Race 7: $1: 1,6 / 1,2,6 / 1,2,4,5 = $24
AQU Race 7 Clm $10,000N2L (3:55 ET)
#1 Dreamed Day, #6 Cardiologist
#1 Dreamed Day tracked the early pace, was in the mix around the far turn and weakened in the stretch to finish a well beaten sixth last out against $25K non winners of two. The third place finisher Turaath exited the race to beat $7.5K non winners of two in his next start by 16 1/4 lengths. he drops into a softer spot and note the bug Serpa lands here despite riding the Contessa runner last out.
#6 Cardiologist tracked the early pace and tired to finish sixth last out at this level while adding blinkers. The hood comes back off today, and this guy was a decent third two back on the drop in for this tag. The stretch out may suit this guy, who has not been long on dirt in his 10 race career. He has enough pedigree to handle the extra ground. He is by Lion Heart out of a Northern Jove mare.
AQU Race 8 OClm $50,000N2X (4:25 ET)
#6 Have You Ever, #1 The Prince, #2 Base Commander
#6 Have You Ever set the early fractions, opened up heading for home and could not hold off the winner late, beaten 3/4 of a length for the top spot. The gelding caught an inner surface that was favoring outside stalkers and closers. The gelding matched his career top two back when he beat Alw-1 company by six lengths in a sharp effort. The gelding owns a solid pace profile throughout and is going to be tough to beat in this spot.
#1 The Prince made a mild late rally to finish third last out at this level in his first go off a 10 month layoff. The gelding raced with the bias, which was favoring outside stalkers and closers that day. The Tony D. barn is 33% winners with horses making their second start off a +180 day layoff and gets a key jock switch here to Ramon. The jock hits at a 41% clip when riding for this outfit.
AQU Race 9 Md $15,000 (4:55 ET)
#4 Newyork's Cutie, #2 Green Arrows, #5 Conseated Lady, #1 Kim Karakorum
#4 Newyork's Cutie makes her first start since last October and sure catches a weak looking group. This gal was in a low % barn last year and this gal was tried on turf twice despite the light grass pedigree. Her sprint came in the slop at Finger Lakes. The recent works are not jumping off the page, but I do like the barn switch to Arroyo, who is having a slow meet but is capable. The barn is 15% winners overall with newcomers to the barn. There just is not much else in here to get excited about.
#2 Green Arrows rallied well for a close up third but did it over a closers track.
#5 Conseated Lady set the pace and faded on a negative drop for the Rice barn and looks like a real underlay in here.
Price Plays From Aqueduct:
These are price plays to watch today. A small win-place wager is in order or if your pockets are deep enough, use these runners in your trifecta and Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers. One or two of these could be the difference between a regular day at the track and hitting the IRS window with a signer.
R1: #9 Eleni’s Hope 15/1
R4: #3 Press Only 10/1
R6: #10 Last Mistake 15/1
R9: #4 Newyork’s Cutie 10/1
