Horse Play of the Day from Aqueduct Track

National horse racing handicapper Michael Dempsey will attempt to pad his bankroll and yours with his daily column. He will feature at least one Pick 3 or Pick 4 play from a major track along during the week and covers major stakes races on the weekends.

Aqueduct is back in action on Thursday after a two day break, dark on Wednesday after a special holiday card on Monday.

The card holds plenty of promise as we seek to pad our bankroll. Our play of the day features a longshot as our top pick. Cleverly Regal is sitting at a generous 12/1 on the morning line.

Our Late Pick 3 play starts in the seventh race and is a $24 investment today.

Today's Play of the Day from Aqueduct:

AQU Race 5 Clm $12,500 (2:24 et)

#8 Cleverly Regal 12/1

#3 Zip of Fools 5/1

#10 Hailey Keen 7/2

#7 Waytotheleft 5/2

Analysis: #8 Cleverly Regal dueled for the early lead and faded to finish eighth against open $20K claimers last out, her first start off a six month layoff. The mare figures to be tighter second off the bench for the Conway barn that has been sending out live runners at the meet, winning with 5 of 19 starters. The mare put in a bullet work on 2/13 and the 12/1 ML looks generous.

#3 Zip of Fools caught a sloppy surface last out, prompting the early pace and drifting out while tiring to finish sixth against $10K claimers. She was claimed out of the race by Chip Dutrow, who is showing a 2 for 2 mark first off the claim and has won with 5 of 13 starters at the meeting. She fits well here as she steps up in price but don't forget these are NY breds here she faces.

Horse Wagering

WIN: #8 to win at 9/2 or better.

EX: 3,8 / 3,7,8,10

TRI: 3,8 / 3,7,8,10 / 3,6,7,8,9,10

Today’s Pick 3 Play from Aqueduct:

Starting in Race 7: $1: 3,7 / 2,3,6 / 4,8,9,10 = $24

AQU Race 7 Alw $44,000N1X (3:20 et)

#3 Karakorum Fugitive,#7 Red Cognac

#3 Karakorum Fugitive finished strongly to breaking her maiden in her debut and overcame some traffic troubles to earn her diploma in her first start. She steadied after breaking slowly and checked in traffic on the far turn. She drew off to win by 4 1/4 lengths and the effort was flattered as the runner up and fifth place finisher in the race came back to graduate in their next starts. The Jerkens barn moves them forward second time out, hitting at a 25% clip.

#7 Red Cognac was a good looking maiden winner three back but her last two starts against winners were not very pretty. She adds blinkers here and the Tony D. barn is 34% winners (with a +ROI) when adding the hood. Willing to give her another look here, and perhaps the blinkers will help get her back on track.

AQU Race 8 Hollie Hughes S. (3:49 et)

#2 Good Card, #3 Mor Chances, #6 Be Bullish

#2 Good Card returns to the NY bred ranks after a third place finish behind a couple of very good sprinters in the G3 Gravesand. The runner up in that race was True Quality, who came back to win the Paumonok and then won the G2 General George in his next two starts. The five year old earned his top career numbers in his last two starts and owns a solid pace profile throughout.