My five day bout with the Swine Flu is just about over, and except for a weird craving for bacon, I seem to be making a rapid recovery.

We turned a profit with my top picks in each of the first four days of the inner meeting last week, coming up in the red on Sunday ending our little streak.

For the week I had 12 winners on top in 40 races (minus off turf races), for a +46.6% +ROI for the week.

For a guy with a 101 temperature most of the week, I’ll take it.

I finally ran out of steam Saturday afternoon after I finished Sunday’s Aqueduct report, parking myself on the couch for most of the next 48 hours.

I did manage to lift my head up high enough off the couch to punch in a few bets using the laptop, so no need to feel sorry for me.

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In addition, I really picked a good weekend to be unable to get off the couch.

The Cincinnati, Alabama, and Texas games on Saturday, and the Redskins-Saints game on Sunday kept me entertained in between races.

I’m nearly completely recovered for Wednesday’s card at the Big A. We have some work to do over the next five days.

After Sunday, racing in New York takes a 12 day holiday break.

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 $35,000 (12:30 ET)
#5 Dragon Fi
#6 Jade's Revenge
#1 Regents Ridge / #1a Ferentz
#2 Mr. Unstoppable

Analysis: #5 Dragon Fi was caught out wide and finished with some interest in a fifth place finish for this tag, beaten 2 3/4 lengths for the top spot. The five year old caught a main track that was playing to inside speed that day. Now he comes back with blinkers added as he makes his first start for the Imperio barn that is 18% winners first off the claim. He has done most of his work sprinting and nine of his starts have come on turf. His lone go on the inner was a fifth place finish versus tougher last December, earning a fig that would put him in the mix in this spot. I'm hoping he is overlooked on the tote and he has a decent enough off track pedigree.

#6 Jade's Revenge was not a threat last out in a seventh place finish in the Fayette (G2). The six year old was beaten just a nose and a head two back facing $60K claimers on the poly at Keeneland. He finds an easier spot here for the Motion barn and he has a win and a third in two trips over wet tracks. The only real knock on this guy is what is going to be a light price.

Wagering
WIN: #5 to win at 9/2 or better.
EX: 5,6 / 1,2,5,6
TRI: 5,6 / 1,2,5,6 / 1,2,5,6,7

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:

AQU Race 8 Snit S. (3:44 ET)
#9 Saxet Heights 12/1
#1 Love's Blush 7/2
#3 Love Cove 6/1
#5 Talike Me 15/1

Analysis: #9 Saxet Heights is a Charles Town invader for the Runco barn. The four year old filly took the My Sister Pearl Stakes in her last outing going nine furlongs in the mud around the tight turns at the WV track. The runner up in the race was Beware of the Bop, who came back to beat allowance foes in her next outing at Chuck Town on Dec. 5. She comes into this race in the sharpest form of her career and she has won 3 of 4 on wet tracks and figures to get another one today. I like the fact the barn lands Garcia and the 12/1 ML looks more than fair.

#1 Love's Blush is coming off a smart looking win against Maryland breds in the All Brandy last out at Laurel Park in the slop. Dunks is in to ride for the sharp Jenkins barn and this three year old filly has shown she loves a wet track in her last two outings. She owns solid late pace numbers and should be roiling late.

Wagering
WIN: #9 to win at 6/1 or better.
EX: 1,9 / 1,3,5,9
TRI: 1,9 / 1,3,5,9 / 1,3,5,8,9

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

R1: #5 Dragon Fi 10/1
R5: #6 Remorse 10/1
R6: #6 Pay the fare 10/1
R7: #10 Heather’s Angel 8/1
R8: #9 Saxet Heights 12/1
R8: #5 Talike Me 15/1

Good luck today!