With just five entered and three likely to run, Saturday’s $150,000 Stuyvesant Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct was scrapped, and we have a nine race card with no stake on the menu.

That is okay, as there is a good card on tap, with plenty of live longshots and vulnerable favorites.

I assumed we were going to be off the turf on Friday, with a 90% chance of rain and two inches of rain in the forecast, but lo and behold, the track was fast and the turf labeled good.

I know I complain about the weather too much, but with all these fancy instruments they are using, how are the weathermen wrong so often?

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Over the past year or so, it seems like they are wrong more than they are right.

If Al Roker and his buddies had to predict the weather for money, they would be living out of a cardboard box.

It is Florida Million Day at Calder, so let’s take a stab at two of the stakes:

Race 10 $150,000 Bonnie Heath Turf Cup Handicap: Soldier’s Dancer was the even money favorite in this race last year, but stumbled badly coming out of the gate, dumping jockey Manuel Cruz. The gelding is back this year, and again is going to be a short price off a sharp win at Philadelphia Park in his most recent outing.

I’ll try to beat him for the top spot with Pickapocket, who looks primed for a good effort here in his second start off a six-month layoff. Last out against allowance foes the gelding came with a good late rally to finish in the runner up spot.

The gelding has not tasted victory since April of ’08, but gets a major jock upgrade to Leparoux, and the barn has been on fire at the meeting, hitting with six of his first ten starters.

Race 11 $200,000 Carl G. Rose Classic Handicap: The “other” Bird is the likely favorite. He’s not Summer Bird or Mine That Bird, but It’s a Bird has accumulated over $1 million in earnings, thanks mainly to wins in the Lone Star Park Handicap (G3) and the Sunshine Millions Classic. The six year old was fourth in this race last year.

He comes into the race off a disappointing seventh place finish in the Meadowlands Cup (G2) and we’ll have to try to beat him at a short price.

I’ll look at Pound Foolish, who is coming off a sixth place finish in the Calder Derby (G3). The gelding pressed the early pace and weakened to finish sixth but was only beaten 1 ¾ lengths and is better on dirt.

There is not much early speed in here and he should get a good trip up front or sitting just off the pace. His 8/1 morning line looks fair enough to give him a look at pulling off the upset.

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 $10,000N2L (12:30 ET)

#8 Charing Cross   10/1

#2 Bold Vindication   3/1

#4 Galan Fete   2/1

#5 Triple Glory   7/2

Analysis: #8 Charing Cross set the early fractions while down along the inside and weakened to finish third last out going seven furlongs. The gelding caught a main track at Belmont Park where the rail was dead and most of the winners were coming from the outer paths. The gelding owns solid early and mid pace numbers and there is not much early zip in here. The low % barn and seven-pound bug should assure we get a fair price on this gelding, who has run okay on wet tracks with three runner up finishes in five trips on off going. There is more rain in the forecast today, but judging from yesterday where there were originally two inches forecast and the track was fast for the opener, who really knows. The weathermen don't.

#2 Bold Vindication tracked the early pace and clipped heels and stumbled when caught in tight quarters, losing all chance of being in the hunt. The colt switches to the main track and cuts back to six furlongs on the quick turnaround. Blinkers are added to the mix along with a class drop. The barn is 39% winners (with a +ROI) when adding the hood and this colt is bred top and bottom to handle a wet track.

Wagering

WIN: #8 to win at 9/2 or better.

EX: 3,8 / 3,4,5,8

TRI: 3,8 / 3,4,5,8 / 3,4,65,6,8

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:

AQU Race 8 Alw $44,000N1X (4:45 ET)

#5 Fortissi More   4/1

#6 Dos Hombres   5/1

#2 Marscaponi   20/1

#8 Mr. Hooker   6/1

Analysis: #5 Fortissi More is back in with state breds here after missing by a nose last out against Alw-1 company at Philly over turf labeled as good. His last go against NY breds came at the Spa four back where he set the early fractions and weakened late to finish fourth while beaten just a half length for the top spot. He broke his maiden over the turf here last November. I'm assuming we are going to be on the turf and this gelding catches what looks like a very weak group of NY breds in this spot.

#6 Dos Hombres came up the inside and finished well to beat $25K non winners of threat Belmont Park off a two month break, his third win on turf. The gelding has won 2 of his last 3 and comes in here looking sharper than most of these.

Wagering

WIN: #5 to win at 3/1 or better.

EX: 5,6 / 2,5,6,8

TRI: 5,6 / 2,5,6,8 / 1,2,5,6,8

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

R1: #8 Charing Cross   10/1

R3: #4 Mannington   8/1

R4: #7 Capridge   12/1

R4: #1 Holy Ego   8/1

R5: #2 Gold Shamrock   12/1

R6: #5 Deflationary Fears   8/1

R7: #2 Been a Pleasure   8/1

R8: #2 Marscaponi   20/1

Good luck today!