Where did the year go?
We close out 2009 today, and have a good long weekend of horse racing action to look forward to.
And do not forget, while New Year’s Day used to be a day to sit around and watch bowl games, there are still nine bowl games this year after Jan. 1, including the BCS national championship game between Alabama and Texas, which is not until Jan. 7.
That means we are under no obligation to watch college football at all tomorrow. To be honest, I’ll be watching the NHL Winter Classic on one television, and horse racing on two others.
Many of you may be off work today, or at least probably leaving early.
There is a good nine race card on tap at the Big A for New Year’s Eve, including the last stake of the year in New York, the $65,000 Gallant Fox Handicap.
The marathon will be contested at 1 5/8 miles, and drew a full field of twelve runners.
Trainer Todd Pletcher has three runners in the race, and they make up my top three contenders, although the likely favorite is my third choice, and we could come up with a nice exacta and trifecta if I am right.
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 $20,000 (12:30 ET)
#8 World Gone Wrong
#10 Way to Karakorum
#6 Lion's Terms
#7 Hollywood Hills
Analysis: #8 World Gone Wrong was a sharp winner last out at Laurel Park versus $30K non-winners of three for the Lake barn. This filly has won 5 of her 10 career starts and has won on dirt, turf, and the fake stuff and no reason to think she won't handle the inner track here. She owns a solid pace profile throughout and the barn finds a great spot here tagged against straight three year olds for $20K. She can handle a wet track if the rains and snow come as forecast
#10 Way to Karakorum drops back in for a tag after making a mile late rally to finish third last out against Alw-1 foes. The filly has done her best running on the inner (7-2-2-1) and put in a bullet drill on Dec. 15. The barn has landed 4 of 10 starters here in the exacta and they were juicy prices: 39/1, 19/1, 22/1, and 5/1. The 39/1 bomb won and Studart was in the irons. This is a wide open race and she figures to be a big price in this spot.
Wagering
WIN: #8 to win at 2/1 or better.
EX: 8,10 / 6,7,8,10
TRI: 8,10 / 6,7,8,10 / 3,5,6,7,8,10
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:
AQU Race 8 Gallant Fox Hcp (3:44 ET)
#1 Atoned 4/1
#2 Tiger's Rock 12/1
#10 Nite Light 8/5
#3 Lord Kipling 10/1
Analysis: #1 Atoned gets the call and Pletcher runners make up the top three in here. The four year old was the beaten chalk last out in the Power Lunch, coming up 3/4 of a length behind #7 Borrowing Base. One of his best efforts in his career came in the slop three back winning the Nasty N Bold going 1 1/2 miles. There probably will be some moisture in the track today and this guy should get a good tracking trip behind what could be a lively early pace. He looks primed for a good effort here in his third start of his current form cycle.
#2 Tiger's Rock will be the highest price of the three Pletcher sends out. The three year old colt is coming off a fourth place finish on the turf against Alw-2 company going 1 1/2 miles. He handled today's distance on poly two back in his first go against winners. He has a strong off track pedigree and still appears to have some upside. He figures to be overlooked on the tote.
Wagering
WIN: #1 to win at 3/1 or better.
EX: 1,2 / 1,2,3,10
TRI: 1,2 / 1,2,3,10 / 1,2,3,9,10,11
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: #10 Way to Karakorum 20/1
R4: #9 Le Bonnie Vie 15/1
R4: #6 Raynick’s Jet 8/1
R5: #8 Neverbeendancin’ 8/1
R6: #7 West End 10/1
R7: #2 Helvi 20/1
R8: #2 Tiger’s Rock 12/1
R8: #3 Lord Kipling 10/1
R9: #9 Living Out a Dream 8/1
Good luck today!
