Horse Racing Picks from Aqueduct

Before we find a few winners on a huge Saturday of racing which features the return of Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra, along with three major Kentucky Derby preps, there is money to be made on a Friday afternoon at Aqueduct.

The play of the day for Friday features Been a Pleasure, a 10/1 longshot who may appreciate the return to the New York bred ranks.

I am hoping the three year old colt can get trainer Tim Ritvo his first win at the meet. The conditioner is 0 for 25 at the current meeting.

The Late Pick 3 for today is a $16 investment, and the key to the three race sequence is the eighth race.

Magic Tiger is going to be very tough to beat, and I think we have a shot with Citizen’s Arrest, who is the second choice in the compact field of six.

I’m using both, and hoping we can snag a longshot in the finale with Kristen Elizabeth, who is adding blinkers and lasix and ridden by Maylan Studart, who celebrated a birthday on Wednesday, and celebrated it by winning the opening race at Aqueduct on Thursday.

Today's Play of the Day from Aqueduct:

AQU Race 6 Clm $16,000 (3:25 ET)

#4 Been a Pleasure: The colt is dropping out of an open $16K claimer and facing state breds here off a fourth place finish. He did not have enough punch in the stretch last out after coming with a wide bid, and in this spot he should see some pace in front of him, and I am hoping he shows more finish. He has a decent off track pedigree and figures to be a decent price. The barn has been frigid at the meet (0 for 25).

#1 My Forest Baby: Pletcher sends out this even money runner, who raced wide last out in a sixth place finish in his first go against winners. He was a good looking maiden winner in his debut. Drops into a much easier spot here and with the rail draw, I would not be surprised to see Cohen send him early, and the colt has enough early zip to be an early factor against this group.

Wagering

WIN: #4 to win at 9/2 or better.

EX: 1,4 / 1,2,4,6

TRI: 1,4 / 1,2,4,6 / 1,2,4,6,7

Today’s Pick 3 Play from Aqueduct:

Starting in Race 7: $1: 7,8 / 1,2 / 2,4,8,10 = $16

AQU Race 7 Clm $12,500B (3:55 ET)

#8 Rocketing Returns, #7 Turaath

#8 Rocketing Returns made a mild late rally to finish fifth last out against $25K non winners of three. The runner up Half Note was a next out winner versus $25K non winners of three on March 4. The gelding owns back numbers that are a good fit and has a solid off track pedigree.

#7 Turaath was the beaten chalk last out, drifting out in the stretch to while weakening to finish third. Two back this guy beat $7.5K no winners of two by 16 1/4 lengths. Today is makes his first start for the Barrera barn that is 2 for 11 (with a +ROI) first off the claim.

AQU Race 8 OClm $75,000N1X (4:25 ET)

#2 Citizen's Arrest, #1 Magic Tiger

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#2 Citizen’s Arrest got the worst of it trip wide against the ML fav in here last out and may be able to turn the tables. The colt had to check slightly while down along the inside heading down the backstretch and turning for home found himself behind a wall of horses. When clear he came up short, but with a cleaner trip and a jock switch to Ramon, the colt has a good shot here.