Custom for Carlos was a sharp winner yesterday in the $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes at Gulfstream Park, but with Munnings a late scratch due to the sloppy track, we got just $4.00 back for the win and a $11.80 exacta.
The monster payoff of the afternoon was in the $100,000 Old Hat Stakes. The upset winner was Richiegirlgonewild, who was coming off a first level allowance score at Charles Town going 4 ½ furlongs.
The Larry Rivelli trainee went gate to wire, paying $64.20 for the win.
The runner up in the race was the 48/1 longshot Joanie’s Catch, who completed a $2,057.80 exacta.
The third place finisher was Criolla Bonita, who was sent off at 85/1, with the $1 trifecta paid $18,401.80.
The even money favorite Cuff Me completed a $1 supefecta that returned $35,409.90.
Last I checked, my top pick in the race Female Drama was still running.
Sunday’s feature at the Big A is the $65,000 Ruthless Stakes for three year old fillies. The race was postponed from last Sunday when frigid weather canceled the card.
Five runners were entered last Sunday, and we get six today, with the two likely favorites Funny Feeling and Wild News the standouts in the race.
I am sticking with my original selection Funny Feeling, who is trained by Mike Maker.
She was purchased for $250,000 at the 2008 fall Keeneland sale, and showed plenty of promise with a smart looking maiden win in her debut on Nov. 19 at Churchill Downs.
She is going to be a short price in the compact field, but may end up the second choice to Wild News, who went gate to wire to break her maiden in her second career outing for trainer John Parisella.
It is not a great betting race, but if we can catch the 8/5 morning line I’ll jump in the win pool.
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 $20,000N1Y (12:30 ET)
#1 Check It Twice / #1a Fujita 3/1
#5 Leo 5/1
#4 Gone Missing 5/2
#7 Endless Circle 8/1
Analysis: #1 Check It Twice is dropping out of an open $35K claimer where the five year old made a mild late run to finish third off a 3 1/2 month break, catching an inner surface that was playing to inside speed. The runner up in the race was Brilliant Son, who beat Alw-2 optional claimers in his next start on Dec. 31. Two back at the Spa our top pick ran a good second for a $25K tag behind repeat winner Starforaday, who has won twice since and landed third in a couple of stakes in his last two starts. The barn finds a great spot here for his second start off the claim facing non-winners of a race in six months. His entrymate #1a Fujita is stakes placed and making his first start since May. Has a light work tab and a struggling jock aboard.
#5 Leo exits the same race as our top pick where he stumbled coming out of the gate and was never a threat in a eighth place finish. He was returning off a 5 1/2 month layoff and he owns back numbers that are a good fit, although those came while under the care of the Tony D. barn. Tricky read what we will see out of this guy, but he does find a softer spot.
Wagering
WIN: #1 to win at 9/5 or better.
EX: 1,5 / 1,4,5,7
TRI: 1,5 / 1,4,5,7 / 1,3,4,5,7
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:
AQU Race 8 Ruthless S. (3:49 ET)
#2 Funny Feeling 8/5
#4 Wild News 7/5
#6 Argent Affair 8/1
#1 E Z Passer 5/1
Analysis: #2 Funny Feeling was a good looking maiden winner in her debut at Churchill Downs, although it does not look like it was a very deep group she faced that day. The $250K Keeneland purchase has a nice pedigree, out of the stakes winner Hookedonthefeelin ($488K) who has dropped three other winners including stakes winner Pussycat Doll ($797K). She is in capable hands with the high % Maker barn although the trainer goes with Saez, not one of our favorite riders.
#4 Wild News went gate to wire to break her maiden last out in her second career start. The runner up #1 E Z Passer was a next out grad on Nov. 22 and lands here as well. I think our top pick is just a bit quicker early, but these two should be able to clear the rest of the field and complete a chalky exacta.
Wagering
WIN: #2 to win at 7/5 or better.
EX: 2,4 / 2,4,6
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: #7 Endless Circle 8/1
R4: #10 Rubinstein 12/1
R5: #7 Western Deed 8/1
R6: #7 Musicsetmefree 15/1
R8: #6 Argent Affair 8/1
R9: #12 Principesa Heather 10/1
Good luck today!
