Sunday is the final day of racing in New York until after Christmas, which leaves me with nearly two weeks to get my Christmas shopping done.

I am going to attempt to hit the mall on Monday morning, and by Tuesday, I’ll be knee deep in past performances for Tampa Bay Downs, Fair Grounds, Turfway Park, and perhaps even a few night tracks like Charles Town and Delta Downs.

That should keep us busy the next two weeks until racing resumes in New York on Dec. 26.

Our first trip to Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday turned out profitable. We knocked down the recommended exacta in the $65,000 Lightning City Stakes.

My second choice Taletobetold went gate to wire ($16.80) with my fourth choice Easy Ashley completing a $68.00 exacta.

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I did not make as much as I had hoped on the race. I wagered into my account where I get a healthy rebate, only to forget that as a resident of Florida I cannot wager on Tampa Bay Downs through them.

I had a few wagers using my secondary account, but the error still cost me.

It’s just one more reason the simplicity of wagering offshore, where there are virtually no restrictions, is still the simple and often the best way to go.

Had I done that yesterday my bankroll would be much healthier.

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 12/1
#6 Mr. Unstoppable 7/2
#1 Regents Ridge / #1a Ferentz 3/1
#3 Crafty Bear 2/1

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 gets overlooked on the tote and he has a decent enough off track pedigree if the rains come early in the card.

#6 Mr. Unstoppable was a sharp winner last out against $25K claimers and was claimed out of the race by the Schosberg barn that is showing a 1 for 13 first off the claim. The five year old has been claimed five times since February and looks capable of handling the step up in class here.

Wagering
WIN: #5 to win at 9/2 or better.
EX: 5,6 / 1,3,5,6
TRI: 5,6 / 1,3,5,6 / 1,2,3,5,6

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:

U>AQU Race 8 Alw $45,000N1X (3:44 ET)
#6 Indian Delight 7/2
#4 La Concerto 8/5
#3 Lion's Terms 6/1
#1 Kissa Melissa / #1a Spina 5/2

Analysis: #6 Indian Delight stalked the early pace, made a three wide move at the top of the stretch to get into the mix and ran out of gas late, checking in fifth in her first go off a four-month layoff. The winner of the race was Life At Ten, who came back to win the Snit Stakes on yesterday's card here. She figures to move forward second off the bench and she owns back numbers that are a good fit including popping a 99 Beyer four back at the Spa in the mud. Her top two career speed figs have come on wet tracks.

#4 La Concerto rolled over state bred Alw-2 optional claimers in her last outing. The third place finisher Ouchy Night came back to beat Alw-2 optional claimers in her next start on Nov. 26. The filly has won 5 of her 11 career starts, twice over wet tracks. She owns the edge in early and mid pace numbers and looks like a legit threat to win here at a light price.

Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 3/1 or better.
EX: 4,6 / 1,3,4,6
TRI: 4,6 / 1,3,4,6 / 1,3,4,6,8

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: #5 Dragon Fi 12/1
R3: #7 Maggie’s Miracle 15/1
R4: #8 Bold Vindication 8/1
R5 #7 Natural Speed 12/1
R5: #10 The Vin Man 10/1
R6 #10 Shealinator 8/1
R7: #10 Extinguish 8/1
R9: #10 Rises the Phoenix 8/1

Good luck today!