Friday’s Aqueduct report was handicapped Tryptophan free, as I am getting ready to head off to Thanksgiving dinner as I write this.
However, I was feeling a bit woozy this morning as my wife was doing some early Thanksgiving morning cooking to take a few dishes over to the in-laws.
As post time for the opener at the Big A approached, smoke filled the house, apparently coming from a flaming Rutabaga in the oven.
To be honest, I had to check out Wikipedia just to figure out how to spell rutabaga. On fire and smoking, it smells like a very cheap candle.
I’m guessing it tastes about the same.
The Racing Gods did look down on me on Thanksgiving Day, at least for one race.
My wife made a Thanksgiving dinner for the neighbors dog, which seems neglected and underfed. I went out to give him his dinner, and lost track of time.
I got back to the computer as they were loading in the gate for the fourth race. It looked futile that I would get a bet in, but I sneaked my wager in just before they left the gate.
Good Karma got home first ($14.40) as my top pick and longshot Really Somebody completed a recommended exacta that returned $209.00 and we knocked down the trifecta that paid $605.50 for $1.
Do something nice and I guess “good karma” really will come your way.
I’ll feed the dog again today just before the early double at Aqueduct jut to be on the safe side.
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 $16,000N1Y (12:00 ET)
#8 Raynicks Fan 4/1
#7 Champagne Brunch 7/2
#3 Crown Point 5/1
#5 Ballast 3/1
Analysis: #8 Raynicks Fan gets the call and I'll take a stab we are off the grass here as there is rain in the forecast, and the turf was already yielding yesterday. The gelding had a tough post last out, prompted the early pace and weakened late to finish third, beaten just 3/4 of a length for the top spot. That effort came against open $16K foes and he drops in here for the same tag while facing non-winners of a race in six months. The gelding did not fire over a wet track two back at the Big M but that was against tougher.
#7 Champagne Brunch is also dropping out of open company after a pair of runner up finishes behind a sharp Bon Marie. The seven-year-old gelding owns the top last out speed fig with his good late run. Two back this guy opened up a huge lead, up ten lengths before getting passed late and landing second. It will be interesting to see what Lezcano decides to do with him here, likely to get a good tracking trip just off the pace. He looks like a major threat in here and his price will probably be shorter than the 7/2 ML. He owns a win over a wet track in two tries.
Wagering
WIN: #8 to win at 3/1 or better.
EX: 7,8 / 3,5,7,8
TRI: 7,8 / 3,5,7,8 / 2,3,5,7,8
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:
AQU Race 9 Top Flight Hcp G2 (3:38 ET)
#6 Spritely 4/1
#1 Skylighter / #1a Sara Louise 6/5
#8 Justwhistledixie 5/2
#7 Porte Bonheur 8/1
Analysis: #6 Spritely was a sharp winner of the ungraded Quick Mischief last out at Belmont Park and has now landed in the money in 14 of her 15 career starts. The runner up in that race was Sea Chanter, who came back to win the restricted Sabin in her next start on Nov. 12 here. She has handled a wet track and the one turn mile looks like it will suit her just fine. She is likely going to be the third choice in here, so we should catch a fair price.
#1a Sara Louise checked in fourth in the Breeders' Cup Filly % Mare Sprint. She had to steady slightly while under a hold at the half-mile pole and did not have enough punch in the stretch. We saw dirt horses not fare too well over the two-day Breeders' Cup, so she figures to bounce back here. She won the Victory Ride (G3) over a sloppy track and a one-turn mile seems well within her scope. She is going to be ultra tough here but I am expecting to see 4/5 on the tote.
#8 Justwhistledixie is making her first start since June for the Mott barn that is 22% winners with horses coming back off a 61-180 day layoff. She reeled off five wins in a row before coming up short last out in a runner up finish in the Acorn (G1). She is bred to like a wet track and her lone off track try came in her debut where she checked in third. McLaughlin cut ties with a few barns and West Point moves her to the hall of fame trainer Mott.
Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 3/1 or better.
EX: 1,6 / 1,6,7,8
TRI: 1,6 / 1,6,7,8 / 1,4,6,7,8
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
R5: #5 Magnification 10/1
R5: #6 Sensationalist 8/1
R6: #10 You Bet I’m Ready 8/1
R6: #9 Verveitup 10/1
R7: #6 Silvercup Baby 8/1
R8: #10 Smart Trade 8/1
R9: #7 Porte Bonheur 8/1
Good luck today!
