I am not fond of filling out a W-2G on the final day of the year, so I hope you guys did not mind filling them out yesterday either.
If you used my selections in yesterday’s featured race, the Gallant Fox Handicap at Aqueduct, you cashed an exacta that paid $84.00 and a $1 trifecta that returned a hefty $726.50.
My second choice in the race was Tiger’s Rock, the longest price (at 12/1) of the three runners sent out by trainer Todd Pletcher.
Tiger’s Rock returned $25.60 for the victory, with the favorite Nite Light checking in second at 4/5.
We got Giant Chieftain home third at 30/1, which certainly helped juice up the trifecta payoff, which with a 4/5 shot in the middle, I thought was quite generous.
Let’s hope we can start off the New Year in similar fashion with today’s featured race, in which my top pick Mighty Morris is sitting at a generous 10/1 on the morning line.
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 Alw $50,000s (12:30 ET)
#6 Kidstrong Fever 3/1
#1 Tutor / #1a Moose and Squirrel 5/2
#2 Gimmeanotherwink 7/2
#3 Rapide One 6/1
Analysis: #6 Kidstrong Fever set the early fractions and held on right until midstretch and was bumped and had to check in deep stretch, weakening late to finish third and placed second via DQ. He does not look quick enough early in this spot but hopefully Jara can rate this guy and sit him just off what may be a lively early pace. He ran okay in two trips over wet tracks and might catch one here. He is a half to a couple of decent runners in Brilliant Son ($211K) and Yonegwa ($194K). The barn is 25% winners with horses coming back off a 31-60 day break.
#1 Tutor invades from Calder and makes his first start for the Dutrow barn that is 24% winners with newcomers to the barn. Last out against Alw-1 foes he dueled for the early lead, opened up a clear lad in the stretch and weakened late to finish third. He finds a great spot here facing starter allowance types. Entrymate #1a Moose and Squirrel also makes his first start for Dutrow and is coming off a couple of good runner up finishes and also fits here with his best, completing a strong entry.
Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 1,6 / 1,2,3,6
TRI: 1,6 / 1,2,3,6 / 1,2,3,5,6
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:
AQU Race 8 Alw $41,000N1X (3:44 et)
#4 Mighty Morris 10/1
#12 Jimmy Vegas 7/2
#1 Star of New York 2/1
#3 Goodbyeandgoodluck 5/1
Analysis: #4 Mighty Morris was scratched out of a $15K non-winners of two yesterday as the 2/1 favorite in favor of taking on state bred Alw-1 foes ands we get a much better price here. The gelding was off slowly last out and was not much of a threat in a fifth place finish going six furlongs in his first go off a seven month layoff. The gelding broke his maiden going a mile and figures to appreciate the extra ground here and he makes his first start for the Bush barn that is always dangerous with state breds.
#12 Jimmy Vegas will need a couple of scratches to get in off the AE list. The gelding is coming off a third place finish last out in his first go around two turns. He had to check slightly at the 3/16's and finished up well late. The gelding makes his third start of his current form cycle and is bred to love a wet track.
Wagering
WIN: #4 to win at 9/2 or better.
EX: 4,12 / 1,3,4,12
TRI: 4,12 / 1,3,4,12 / 1,2,3,4,6,12
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
R2: #4 Luminesce 8/1
R3: #2 East Breaks 8/1
R4: #6 Quoin 12/1
R5: #6 Decorated Court 8/1
R6: #9 Mind Boggling 10/1
R6: #10 Prospects Double 20/1
R7: #1 Raffie’s Deer 10/1
R8: #4 Mighty Morris 10/1
R9: #3 Wadi Suki 10/1
R9: #2 Vettriano 8/1
Good luck today!
