I wrote the other day that I was on the lookout for the one Eclipse voter that cast their ballot for Icon Project over Zenyatta for Older Female, preventing the mare from having a unanimous vote.
It turns out, the name of that voter is Duke Dosik, who works for The Daily Racing Form.
The NTRA released this statement this week:
The three presenting organizations of the Eclipse Awards-the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form (DRF) and the National Turf Writers Association (NTWA)-announced today that voting in the 2009 Older Female category will be officially revised to correct an error made by one of the voters.
The error caused Zenyatta to win the Older Female category by a count of 231-1, rather than by a unanimous, 232-0 margin. The voter in question, Duke Dosik of Daily Racing Form, assured Eclipse Awards officials that he fully intended to vote for Zenyatta in the Older Female category, but he inadvertently voted for Icon Project in the category while Zenyatta was not listed among his top three finalists.
Elsewhere on his ballot, Dosik had listed Zenyatta as his selection for Horse of the Year.
“There is no way I meant to do anything but put Zenyatta on top,” said Dosik.
The revised voting tabulation means that both Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra (Champion Three-Year-Old Filly) won 2009 Eclipse Awards by unanimous, 232-0 vote counts.
I was prepared to name Dosik the ‘Steve Bartman of Horse Racing”, but I guess we will have to let him off the hook.
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 $25,000N2L (12:30 ET)
#5 Offensive Attack 6/1
#7 Honest Wildcat 5/2
#1 Temore 5/1
#2 Ramblingamblinman 3/1
Analysis: #5 Offensive Attack stumbled and was bumped coming out of the gate and weakened to finish sixth after stalking the early pace. The gelding drops in for a tag and is making his second start off a six-month layoff for the Bush barn that is 25% winners with horses making their second start off a +180 day layoff. The gelding earned a big number breaking his maiden two back last July at Belmont Park in a gate to wire score. He figures to be in the mix early with a better break and should be fitter second off the bench.
#7 Honest Wildcat drops in for a tag for the first time in his career after going 0 for 8 at the Alw-1 level. Last out he tries two turns, setting the early fractions in the mud and fading to finish a well beaten eighth. He has done his best running sprinting and was in the mix a few times versus tougher, finishing third or fourth four times. The cut back suits and Migs sticks for Hennig.
Wagering
WIN: #5 to win at 3/1 or better.
EX: 5,7 / 1,2,5,7
TRI: 5,7 / 1,2,5,7 / 1,2,5,6,7
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:
AQU Race 3 Paumonok Stakes (1:26 ET)
#2 Wall Street Wonder 4/1
#3 Driven by Success 1/1
#5 Mt. Glittermore 5/1
#1 Laysh Laysh Laysh 7/2
Analysis: #2 Wall Street Wonder was a good looking winner versus Alw-1 foes last out off a two month break, earning a career top speed fig in just his second start on conventional dirt. The effort was flattered when the runner up and fifth place finisher both came back to win their next starts. This colt was competitive in stakes company on the left coast, landing in the money three times and was third in a stake at the Spa last August as well. The switch to dirt might be key, and he came back with a bullet work on Jan. 14.
#3 Driven by Success dueled for the early lead in the Cigar Mile (G1) and faded to finish sixth and cuts back in class and distance. The gelding went gate to wire to win the NY bred Hudson two back in the slop at Belmont Park. The gelding owns the edge in early and mid pace numbers and while he is back at his best distance, he is only 1 for 5 on the inner in his career. The price is going to be on the light side and our top pick likely is going to offer better value for the top spot.
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Gulfstream Park:
GP Race 9 The Holy Bull Stakes (G3) (5:08 ET)
#6 Winslow Homer 6/1
#8 Aikenite 4/1
#9 Jackson Bend 5/2
#2 Homeboykris 5/1
Analysis: #6 Winslow Homer appears to be the value of the race, the promising colt making his stakes debut here for the Tony Dutrow barn. The colt was a smart looking maiden winner at the Spa in his second career start, and was flattered when the runner up and fourth place finisher exited that race to graduate in their next starts. Then the colt trounced Alw-1 company at Philly over a muddy track, rolling to a 12 ½ length victory. The colt was a $310,000 Keeneland purchase, by Unbridled’s Song out of the Sumer Squall mare Summer Raven (2 for 7, $169K), and this is her first foal to race. He still appears to have a ton of upside potential and with her last start coming at Philly, he may not get much respect at the windows.
#8 Aikenite makes his three year old debut here, his last start a fifth place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The colt had to steady behind the eventual winner a furlong out and ended up 2 ½ lengths behind the winner Vale of York. Two back this colt was a solid second in the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland. He is back on conventional dirt here and was a decent third in the Hopeful (G1) last September going seven furlongs in his last start on conventional dirt. The colt has worked quickly for his return and the Pletcher barn has been on fire both at Gulfstream Park and at Aqueduct.
Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 7/2 or better.
EX: 6,8 / 2,6,8,9
TRI: 6,8 / 2,6,8,9 / 2,5,6,8,9
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
R4: #6 Lloydobler 15/1
R5: #6 Spring Elusion 8/1
R6: #7 Mr. Serious 8/1
R7: #8 Structual Change 10/1
R7: #6 L.C. Bulgari 12/1
R8: #6 Dr. D.F.C. 15/1
R9: #9 Griffen Avenue 12/1
Good luck today!
