Zenyatta trainer John Shirreffs summed it up well on Monday, asking, “Where else do you go?”
The answer to that question is to the breeding shed, as it seems very unlikely Zenyatta will race again after her electrifying performance on Saturday in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The showdown between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta will not be settled on the track, but instead at the ballot box.
Rachel Alexandra seemed a lock to win the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year regardless of the outcome of the Classic, but Rachel Alexandra has been on the bench for months and the brilliant performance of Zenyatta is fresh on the mind of each and every voter.
In just over two minutes on Saturday, the race for Horse of the year went from a slam dunk to possible counting chads.
I know Rachel Alexandra has the better resume, but she failed to show up on what most consider the championship day for the sport.
I went into this year’s Breeders’ Cup thinking we would have to see something magical for Rachel not to win top honors, and I bet heavily that it would not happen.
It did.
I jumped ship, I am in love with Zenyatta, Pro Ride and all.
To purchase my full card report for Aqueduct that includes analysis, selections, fair odds, and wagering recommendations for today click here.
Here is today's opening race from Aqueduct to get our day off to a good start:
AQU Race 1 Clm $16,000 (12:30 ET)
#6 Only a Vision 2/1
#4 Glitter's Forum 3/1
#5 French Song 4/1
#7 Crazy Thing 6/1
Analysis: #6 Only a Vision steps up another notch in class here seeking her fourth win in a row. The mare beat $12.5K foes last out, beating a pair that come back to face her here. The fifth place finisher in the race was Baroness, who returned to beat $7.5K claimers in her next outing on Nov. 8. The mare owns a solid pace profile throughout and looks like she should get a good pace set up here as she should be able to sit just off the front and pounce turning for home much like she has done in her recent wins. She also is proven over a wet track and there is a 50% chance of seeing some rain today.
#4 Glitter's Forum set the early fractions and weakened to finish fifth last out against $20 claimers for non winners of two races in six months. She ships in for a potent barn and she will be part of the early mix here. She seldom runs a bad one, winning 7 of her 21 career starts and landing in the money in 14 outings.
Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 9/5 or better.
EX: 4,6 / 4,5,6,7
TRI: 4,6 / 4,5,6,7 / 3,4,5,6,7
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:
AQU Race 7 Alw $46,000N1X (3:16 ET)
#4 Paracaidas 5/1
#8 Gran Appeal 3/1
#9 Dawn Chorus 6/1
#3 Crazy Catlady 7/2
Analysis: #4 Paracaidas was a good second in her debut, which was her lone go on turf and returns to the green (unless Mother Nature interferes) in her second start against winners. Last out she tracked the early pace while down along the inside and faded to finish a non threatening fifth on the main track at the Spa. The winner of the race was Acronym, who beat Alw-2 optional claimers in her next start. The third place finisher Mother Ruth beat Alw-1 foes in her next start, then ran a good second in the Poker Night Stakes on Nov. 1 here. I like her pedigree, she is by War Chant out of a Jade Hunter mare and I am hoping this race sticks to the turf.
#8 Gran Appeal made a good move around the far turn to get into the mix and finished a good second despite drifting inward and brushing with the eventual winner in the stretch. The winner Changing Skies came back to finish second against ALw-2 foes while the third place finisher Proud Lisa beat Alw-1 company on Oct. 30 at Keeneland.
Wagering
WIN: #4 to win at 7/2 or better.
EX: 4,8 / 4,5,8,9
TRI: 4,8 / 3,4,8,9 / 1,3,4,8,9
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
R2: #5 Goodness Greycious 10/1
R3: #7 Thoroughly Holy 12/1
R4: #2 Lemon Mambo 12/1
R5: #1 Sergeant Karakorum / #1a Smarty Karakorum 8/1
R5: #3 Coach Fruscio 8/1
R6: #7 First and Foremost 12/1
R6: #12 Best Decision 12/1
R8: #5 Tranquil Manner 10/1
R9: #6 Tom Kitten 8/1
Good luck today!
