Coming up on Saturday we have four stakes at Gulfstream Park including the $500,000 Donn Handicap (G1) which will match up the winners of two of last year’s Triple Crown races.
Preakness (G1) winner Shackleford is the 7/2 morning line favorite in the Donn and is making his first start since running a good second in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
The Dale Romans trainee is winless in five starts since taking the second jewel of the Triple Crown, landing in the bottom half of the exacta in three of his starts.
Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Ruler On Ice is winless in five starts since winning the third jewel of the Triple Crown, and is making his first start since running fifth in the Clark Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 25.
The Kelly Breen trainee is 6/1 on the morning line with Rosie Napravnik riding the gelding for the first time.
Others that figure to be in the mix include Clark runner up Mission Impazible, Discovery Handicap (G3) winner Redeemed, and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) winner Flat Out.
I will have my selections and analysis of the Donn in tomorrow’s column, and will have selections for the other stakes on the Gulfstream Park card in Saturday’s Best Plays Report.
We have a good Friday card at the Big A today, and there are a few short priced favorites I think we can beat.
To purchase my full card report for Aqueduct, which includes analysis, selections, fair odds, and wagering recommendations click here.
Here is the opening race from Aqueduct to get our day off to a good start:
AQU Race 1 Clm $16,000 (12:20 ET)
#1 Pretty Cozzy 3/1
#2 Speckledbird 2/1
#3 Tonigail 6/1
#8 Sunnybrook 5/1
Analysis: #1 Pretty Cozzy took the field gate to wire to beat $7.5K claimers last out for the hot Galluscio barn and she was claimed out of the race by the Englehart barn that is 29% winners first off the claim. Her effort last out was flattered with the runner up Say Toba Sandy coming back to beat $7.5K claimers in her next start while the third place finisher Fiona Storm coming back to beat Alw-1 state breds in his next outing. She owns a solid pace profile throughout with solid early and mid pace numbers. The mare looks capable of stepping up into this tougher spot and winning right back.
#2 Speckledbird tracked the early pace from the rail and finished evenly in a third place finish last out against Alw-1 optional claimers. She was claimed out of the race by the Asmussen barn that is 27% winners first off the claim. She has won 5 of her 15 career starts, her last win coming two back against $25K non-winners of three or a race on turf in six months.
Wagering
WIN: #1 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 1,2 / 1,2,3,8
TRI: 1,2 / 1,2,3,8 / 1,2,3,7,8
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:
AQU Race 6 Clm $25,000 (2:48 ET)
#8 Goodtime Boy 5/1
#7 Raffie's Bandit 8/1
#2 Plotter 6/5
#3 Glynisthemenace 8/1
Analysis: #8 Goodtime Boy stalked the early pace and made a mild late rally to finish third last out for this tag off a two month break. The colt caught a racing strip that was more favorable to inside speed that day. He makes his second start off the short break and for the Schettino barn that took over from the Martin barn.
#7 Raffie's Bandit came up short late in a third place finish at Philly against $25K non-winners of two in his first start against winners. He broke his maiden two back at Penn by nine lengths for a $12.5K tag. That was a decent field he faced last out, with the fifth place finisher Zuerstgold coming back to beat $25K starter allowance foes in his next start at Philly on Jan. 17. Worth tossing in the mix here if we catch most of the 8/1 ML.
Wagering
WIN: #8 to win at 3/1 or better.
EX: 7,8 / 2,3,7,8
TRI: 7,8 / 2,3,7,8 / 1,2,3,7,8
Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.
Aqueduct
R2: #1 House of Toilsome 15/1
R3: #3 McKinley Square 10/1
R4: #8 Haystack Needle 8/1
R4: #7 Tatao’s Widcat 8/1
R6: #7 Raffie’s Bandit 8/1
R6: #3 Glynisthemenace 8/1
R8: #2 Indy Scent 12/1
R9: #9 Caps Lady 8/1
R9: #5 Star Vesta 8/1
Good luck today!
