I have to admit that after late scratches, Friday’s Aqueduct card was pretty uninteresting, and I spent much of the afternoon watching the Alabama-Auburn game.

I don’t think today’s Florida-Florida St. game will get my same attention.

There are four graded stakes at Aqueduct today, Ventura makes her last start in the Matriarch (G1) at Hollywood Park, and there is a trio of stakes on the 12 race card at Churchill Downs, the final day of their fall meeting.

We might see the early Kentucky Derby favorite in Homeboychris, the Champagne (G1) winner who skipped the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

The colt is trained by Richard Dutrow, who is on a forced “vacation” and the colt will race under the name of Dutrow’s top assistant Juan Rodriguez.

The colt will vie for favoritism with Buddy’s Saint in the $200,000 Remsen Stakes (G2).

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The feature on the card is the $300,000 Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile Handicap (G1). The race lost some luster with the defections of Quality Road and Munnings, but still drew a good field led by Vineyard Haven and Bribon.

We also get to see Stardom Bound, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner, who is making her first start since April in the $300,000 Gazelle Handicap (G1).

Who needs Tim Tebow?

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 $15,000N2L (12:00 ET)
#3 Hold the Cruiser 7/2
#6 Punt's Kitty 5/1
#4 Hello Gold 12/1
#2 Royal Valentine 3/1

Analysis: #3 Hold the Cruiser drops in for a tag for the first time here after failing at the state bred Alw-1 level five times. This is her seventh career start and she has not been on a fast main track, making four starts on turf and two on wet tracks. Three back she was beaten just a nose on the turf going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf in a game effort. She looks like she has been keeping company with tougher than she faces here and looks tough to beat for an underrated barn in Duggan.

#6 Punt's Kitty ships back form Finger Lakes where she was a god second last out against Alw-2L company. Two back she was fifth at the level in a key race in which produced three next out winners. She faces easier and drops back in with state breds here. The filly owns a solid pace profile throughout and her 5/1 ML looks more than fair.

Wagering
WIN: #3 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 3,6 / 2,3,4,6
TRI: 3,6 / 2,3,4,6 / 2,3,4,6,9

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:

AQU Race 9 Cigar Mile Handicap G1 (3:38 ET)
#1 Pyro / #1a Vineyard Haven 9/5
#3 Kodiak Kowboy 2/1
#2 Driven by Success 6/1
#4 Bribon 5/2

Analysis: #1a Vineyard Haven is coming off back to back Grade 1 wins and won those races in different styles. He wired the field in the Kings Bishop (G1) at Saratoga in the slop two back going seven furlongs. Last out the colt was off dead last and came up the inside while looking hopelessly beaten to get up and win the Frank J. DeFrancis (G1) at Laurel Park going six furlongs. The colt should be on the engine here with the stretch out to a mile and jockey Alan Garcia can’t let #2 Driven by Success get away with an easy early lead. The stretch out should pose no problem for this Godolphin runner as he won the Champagne (G1) last fall at a one turn mile.

Entrymate #1 Pyro can be excused for not firing over the Pro Ride surface in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1). Two back he made a good late rally to win the Forego (G1) at seven panels at the Spa. It is tough to figure when this guy is going to fire and he may not get a perfect pace set up here, but he is a decent back up on the ticket.

#3 Kodiak Kowboy only beat three last out when winning the Vosburgh (G1) from last to first but he did beat three solid sprinters in Fabulous Strike, Munnings, and Go Go Shoot. The colt has won 10 of 22 career starts, but has done his best running sprinting. His last go at a mile came in this race last year when he checked in fifth. The colt does have a win over the main track here, taking the Carter Handicap (G1) at seven furlongs. He should get a good trip sitting just off the pace.

#2 Driven by Success went gate to wire to win the New York bred Hudson last out in the slop at six furlongs. He draws the rail here in a race without much early zip signed up to go here. His last trip at a mile came in the Met Mile (G1) where he set the early fractions but could not hold off #4 Bribon and Smooth Air late in a third place finish. He does not seem as quick as most of these but may have the tactical edge.

Wagering
WIN: #1 to win at 8/5 or better.
EX 1 / 2,3
TRI: no play

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: #4 Hello Gold 12/1
R2: #5 Plead 8/1
R3: #3 Major Momentum 15/1
R5: #6 Capridge 15/1
R5: #7 Bishop of Nola 8/1
R7: #3 Grand Rapport 20/1
R10: #6 J L Bernstein 10/1

Good luck today!