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Horse Racing

At the Gate – Sunday

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read
Coal Front got the job done in Saturday’s Mr. Prospector (G3) at Gulfstream Park and as I thought he got hammered down from his 7-2 generous morning line and returned just $5.20.
 
With the short price in mind I made him my second choice with Heartwood getting the call, but that colt could only manage third and we missed out on the exacta.
 
At Aqueduct we fared a little better as Name Changer won as my top pick in the Queen’s County returning $8.40 but we missed out on the exacta with 15-1 Monogahela completing a $97.00 payoff.
 
We had a really tough beat at Gulfstream Park in the fourth race. My top pick Souper Jaguar was sent off at 22-1 in his debut and came up just a head short of getting to my fourth choice Skole, who went off at 10-1.
 
The $2 exacta paid $343.20 and had the photo gone the other way the payoff would have been pretty close to the same windfall. That was a tough one.
 
They both went off at win odds higher than my fair odds line, so hopefully a few of you guys cashed a ticket or two. Souper Jaguar paid $18.20 to place.
 
My Best Plays Report for Sunday includes my nine strongest plays from Aqueduct and Gulfstream Park.
 
Now is the perfect time to purchase my Monthly Package for just $99.95. It gives you a month of Aqueduct daily and my Best Plays Report each Saturday and Sunday.
 
To purchase my Aqueduct and Best Plays Reports for Sunday click here.
 
Here is the opener from Aqueduct to get the day off to a good start:
 
AQU Race 1 Clm $12,500 (12:20 ET)
#4 Havana Affair   5-1
#3 Arewehavingfunyet   3-5
#1 Not About the Nail   6-1
#6 Caribbean Girl   7-2
 
Analysis: Havana Affair dueled for the early lead and weakened to finish fourth last out against $16,000 foes. The winner Daria's Angel came back to beat $50,000 starter allowance foes in her next outing on Dec. 20. It looks as if she might be able to get clear early and if she does she has a shot of turning the tables on the chalk in here.
 
Arewehavingfunyet made a good late rally to finish in the runner up spot last out in the same race our top picks exits. She has earned three competitive numbers since Contessa claimed her for $12,500 four back. She has three wins in nine trips over the Big A main track in her career. She looks tough but may be up against it if she is laying back again here.
 
Wagering
WIN: #4 to win at 7-2 or better.
EX: 3,4 / 1,3,4
TRI: no play
 
Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:
 
AQU Race 8 The Gravesand (3:47 ET)
#5 Gold for the King   9-5
#3 Runaway Lute   8-1
#2 Recruiting Ready   6-1
#1 Life in Shambles   5-2
 
Analysis: Gold for the King prompted the early pace and drew off to win a NY Stallion Series race by nine lengths in his second start off a three-month break. his guy has now won four of his five trips over the main track here with a second. The gelding owns a solid pace profile throughout and has the ability to go gate to wire or sit off the pace and there is plenty of early zip signed up to go.
 
Runaway Lute was the beaten chalk in the Fall Highweight (G3) where he weakened to finish fifth. The colt won the state bred Hudson two back off a 3 1/2-month break. His career top came three back where he beat state bred Alw-2 optional claimers. He is better than he showed last out and his previous three efforts put him in the mix here. Looks as if he is going to be a decent price in this spot.
 
Wagering
WIN: #5 to win at 8-5 or better.
EX: 3,5 / 2,3,5
TRI: no play
 
Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Gulfstream Park:
 
GP Race 8 Md Sp Wt (3:34 ET)
#7 Bail Out   7-2
#9 Preacher Power   9-2
#2 Teryn It Up   4-1
#3 Clear for Action   8-1
 
Analysis: Bail Out returns off a tow month break after a tough loss at Keeneland last out where he was beaten a nose. The colt was a game second three back at Churchill Downs and has been better on firmer ground which he should get today. The Shug trainee is out of a stakes placed Mr. Prospector mare that has dropped four winners and two have won on turf and three are stakes winners, top earner Reload ($567,504).
 
Preacher Power stalked the early pace and finished gamely beaten just a head in his last outing at Keeneland. That was his first outing since April where he was third and he ran a game second here back in February. The gelding is out of the stakes winner heavenly Landing ($313,115) her first foal to race. He should be tighter second off the bench here.
 
Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 3-1 or better.
EX: 7,9 / 2,3,7,9
TRI: 7,9 / 2,3,7,9 / 2,3,4,7,9
 
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
R4: #5 Midnight Crossing   10-1
R5: #1 Mohican   10-1
R6: #6 Trumpit   10-1
R7: #6 Eagle Pass   10-1
R8: #3 Runaway Lute   8-1
 
Good luck today!

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