Horse Racing - Full Card Friday from Aqueduct
In the middle of winter, it seems like we should be more worried about racing being canceled in New York rather than Southern California, but Santa Anita canceled again for Thursday, and as the rains continue, horse racing might be washed out on Friday as well.
The synthetic surface has poor drainage, and the area is getting deluged with rain.
No such worries at Aqueduct, where we have an excellent nine race card on tap this afternoon, with plenty of opportunities to pad our bankroll.
The play of the day is a first level state bred allowance race, and our top pick Thousand Excuses, who is facing winners for the first time today, will be tough to beat.
The Late Pick 3 play for this afternoon is a $24 investment, and if we can get by the first leg where we are using just two runners, we should be in good shape to make a tidy profit.
Today's Play of the Day from Aqueduct:
AQU Race 6 Alw $41,000N1X (2:52 ET)
#3 Thousand Excuses 3/1
#4 Shrimp Dancer 8/5
#6 New York Red 15/1
#7 Raynick's Jet 7/2
Analysis: #3 Thousand Excuses came up the inside with good late rally to graduate in his second career start, and he did it over a surface that was a bit more favorable to speed. The eight he beat that day have all come back to run with one next out winner. The colt is making just his third career start and still appears to have some upside potential and is in good hands with the Maker barn that has been quiet at the meet (1 for 10).
#4 Shrimp Dancer earned the top last out speed fig with a third place finish in the Damon Runyon over a wet track. His three previous starts were on turf, and he made his debut in the mud, so this will likely be his first go over a fast dirt track today. Coming out of stakes his 8/5 ML may even shrink a point or two, leaving our top pick the likely better value of the duo.
Wagering
WIN: #3 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 3,4 / 3,4,6,7
TRI: 3,4 / 3,4,6,7 / 2,3,4,6,7
Today’s Pick 3 Play from Aqueduct:
Starting in Race 7: $1: 6,8 / 1,2,8 / 6,7,8,9 = $24
AQU Race 7 Clm $25,000B (3:20 ET)
#6 Dakota Dunes, #8 R Little Nugget
#6 Dakota Dunes came with a four wide run around the far turn and was up to win at this level last out in a game effort. The gelding caught an inner surface that was slightly favoring speed and the inside paths were the place to be that day. He comes in here sharp for the DiPrima barn and looks capable of winning right back.
#8 R Little Nugget had a three race win streak snapped last out in his first trip on the inner, checking in a well beaten eighth against $50K starter allowance types. The gelding was tough in NJ, winning at Monmouth Park and a pair of races at the Big M. Two back he beat $40K non winners of three and was flattered when the runner up, third and eighth place finishers all came out of the race to win next out. He owns solid early and mid pace numbers and he is better than he showed last out and the barn is going better recently than it was doing here last month.
AQU Race 8 Alw $41,000N1X (3:49 ET)
#2 Jimmy Vegas, #8 Mighty Morris, #1 Goodbyeandgoodluck / #1a Mel's Gold
#2 Jimmy Vegas had to check slightly in traffic last out at the 3/16's and finished up with some interest for third in his first start against winners. The runner up in that racer was Star of New York, who came back to beat state bred Alw-1 foes in his next outing on Jan. 1. The gelding was a good looking maiden winner two back, going gate to wire to win by 7 1/2 lengths in his second career start. He has worked quickly since his last start, popping a bullet drill on Jan. 7.
#8 Mighty Morris dueled for the early lead and battled on gamely right to the wire, beaten just a neck for the top spot while ten lengths clear of the rest of the field in the effort. His last out speed fig towers over the rest of the field here, so it is just a matter of whether he bounces off that big effort or moves forward in his third start of his current form cycle.
AQU Race 9 Md $12,500 (4:18 ET)
#7 Really Somebody, #9 St. Augustine, #8 Mind Boggling, #6 Napkins
#7 Really Somebody is back with maidens after being sent off as the favorite last out against state bred $15K non winners of two. The colt suffered a bad beat two back when he set all the fractions and was nailed at the wire versus state bred $20K maiden claimers. There is no early zip in here and even less talent, so he should be able to take this group gate to wire.
#9 St. Augustine has seven in the money finishes in ten starts without picking up his diploma. He meets a field here that seems equally inept at winning, including facing seven runners that have lost at least 14 races. He gets a decent jock switch form the frigid Bocachica to Chuckie.
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: #6 Samhoon 10/1
R2: #5 Eightohsevenmain 12/1
R3: #5 Miss Dartmouth 10/1
R4: #8 Catskill City 10/1
R5: #5 Swing Lane 15/1
R6: #6 New York Red 15/1
Good luck padding your bankroll today! Sign up HERE to start winning some cash today!
