In the aftermath of Rachel Alexandra’s Eclipse Award on Monday night for Horse of the Year, and the hoopla surrounding her potential date with Zenyatta, I have to ask a question.

Will somebody, anyone, please show Gio Ponti some love?

Gio Ponti became the first horse since John Henry in 1981 to win the Eclipse Award for both Older Male and Turf Male.

The son of Tale of the Cat won four Grade 1 races in 2009, lost another in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic by 1 3/4 lengths in boggy conditions to an improbable longshot, and ran second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic behind Zenyatta.

If the turf had been firmer at Belmont Park, and Zenyatta had found some trouble along with way in the Classic, Gio Ponti could have ended 2009 with six Grade 1 victories.

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Perhaps Rachel Alexandra would have still won Horse of the Year honors, but at least the colt would have received more recognition.

The colt had a tremendous year, and it has really been lost in the shuffle because of the raging debate between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta.

Gio Ponti will return to the track in 2010, with his main target early in the year being the $10 million Dubai World Cup in March.

A victory in the world’s richest race would certainly give him a head start over the ladies in this year’s race.

A note to the knucklehead that voted for Icon Project, preventing Zenyatta from winning the Older Female Eclipse Award in a unanimous vote: You need to come out and explain yourself. We are going to find out who you are.

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 $30,000 (12:30 ET)
#6 Samhoon 10/1
#8 Base Commander 5/2
#2 My Golden Opinion 5/1
#3 Saint Daimon 3/1

Analysis: #6 Samhoon is dropping out of a Alw-3 optional claimer where he stalked the early pace, bothered a couple of foes and weakened in the stretch to finish fifth. The six year old was coming off a two month break and now makes his second start for the Jacobson barn that is 20% winners second off the claim. The six year old has done his best running going long but he did pop his career top going a one turn mile and he has some tactical speed and gets in light with the bug Serpa. Worth a look if we see most of the 10/1 ML.

#8 Base Commander won back to back for a $30K and $35K tag two and three back and then was in a bit tough last out facing Alw-3 foes, exiting the same race as our top pick. The six year old owns a solid pace profile throughout and has not missed picking up a check since last July. The Pletcher barn has been on fire at the inner meeting, hitting at a 42% clip.

Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 9/2 or better.
EX: 6,8 / 2,3,6,8
TRI: 6,8 / 2,3,6,8 / 1,2,3,6,8

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:

AQU Race 8 Alw $41,000N1X (3:49 ET)
#2 Jimmy Vegas 3/1
#8 Mighty Morris 2/1
#1 Goodbyeandgoodluck / #1a Mel's Gold 9/2
#4 Whirlwind Poppy 4/1

Analysis: #2 Jimmy Vegas had to check slightly in traffic last out at the 3/16's and finished up with some interest for third in his first start against winners. The runner up in that racer was Star of New York, who came back to beat state bred Alw-1 foes in his next outing on Jan. 1. The gelding was a good looking maiden winner two back, going gate to wire to win by 7 1/2 lengths in his second career start. He has worked quickly since his last start, popping a bullet drill on Jan. 7.

#8 Mighty Morris dueled for the early lead and battled on gamely right to the wire, beaten just a neck for the top spot while ten lengths clear of the rest of the field in the effort. His last out speed fig towers over the rest of the field here, so it is just a matter of whether he bounces off that big effort or moves forward in his third start of his current form cycle.

Wagering
WIN: #2 to win at 2/1 or better.
EX: 2,8 / 1,2,4,8
TRI: 2,8 / 1,2,4,8 / 1,2,4,5,8

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: #6 Samhoon 10/1
R2: #5 Eightohsevenmain 12/1
R3: #5 Miss Dartmouth 10/1
R4: #8 Catskill City 10/1
R5: #5 Swing Lane 15/1
R6: #6 New York Red 15/1

Good luck today!