Aqueduct is back in business today after a four day hiatus.
There was no racing on Wednesday and Thursday of this week, giving me entirely too much time on my hands.
My wife did not notice exactly how much free time I had, so I got in plenty of wagering from Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs, and brushed up on my poker skills.
That box of Christmas lights sitting by the steps waiting to go up in the attic will have to wait until the Big A’s next dark day.
The local dog track here in Florida opened up a poker room on Wednesday, and I fully expect there to be a steady stream of fish swimming by to make donations, and I hope to get my fair share.
Which reminds me of the old poker saying, “Please don’t tap on the aquarium”
I just hope that not all of those fish are floating on their backs by the time I get up there.
With a full racing menu over the next few days, I probably won’t make it to the poker table until late Sunday afternoon, after the last race at the Big A.
Saturday’s action includes the Sunshine Million races from Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita.
I’ll try to find a few winners among the six stakes races for California and Florida breds, and I’ll post them here in tomorrow’s column.
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 $25,000B (12:30 ET)
#5 Iberian Gate 6/1
#1 Sunday in Malibu 8/5
#7 Ravenous 3/1
#2 Indian Rush 8/1
Analysis: #5 Iberian Gate was a game winner last out against $10K non winners of three over a wet track here and was claimed out of the race by the Englehart barn that is 29% winners (with a +ROI) first off the claim. The filly steps up from $10K to $25K but she is still facing non winners of three, so these really are not much tougher than she beat last out. She appears to have a tactical advantage as she owns solid early and mid pace numbers and the two likely favorites are going to be coming from out of it. Speed held up very well here last week.
#1 Sunday in Malibu ships in from Laurel Park for the Trombetta barn. Last out for a $35K tag she came up the inside to take over the lead but could not go with the top pair late and had to settle for third. The filly owns a solid pace profile throughout and her last pair of speed figs are tops in here. Her main knock is going to be the price, likely to drift down from the 8/5 ML.
Wagering
WIN: #5 to win at 7/2 or better.
EX: 1,5 / 1,2,5,7
TRI: 1,5 / 1,2,5,7 / 1,2,5,6,7
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:
AQU Race 8 OClm $25,000N2X (3:49 ET)
#7 King David J 5/1
#6 Gold Vendetta 7/2
#3 William Thomas 2/1
#1 Al's Lark / #1a Al's Deputy 3/1
Analysis: #7 King David J is one of seven runners that are exiting the same race, which was won by our second choice at 29/1. Our top pick was making his first start off a 11 month break and seems the most likely of those coming out of the race to move forward. The gelding checked in fifth, tracking the early pace from the outside and weakening in the final furlong. The racing strip was playing to inside speed that day. The Rice barn is 41% winners (with a +ROI) with horses making their second start off a +180 day layoff.
#6 Gold Vendetta raced against the bias in his score, coming widest in the stretch to run them down and won by 2 3/4 lengths under the bugette Davis. The gelding was making his first start for the Ronen barn, who took this guy for just $12.5K two back. Five runners went gate to wire on Jan. 2 and this guy just rolled from the outside to run by the field. The low profile barn has been sending out live runners at the meet (11-3-1-2), but we won't see anything close to the 29/1 this guy went off at last out.
Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 7/2 or better.
EX: 6,7 / 1,3,6,7
TRI: 6,7 / 1,3,6,7 / 1,3,6,7,8
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: #2 Indian Rush 8/1
R4: #6 Arctic Queen 10/1
R5: #1 Mr. Serious 8/1
R5: #5 Trusting Heart 12/1
R7: #6 Hedge Fund 8/1
R7: #1 Hubbard 15/1
R9: #11 Carmen Camacho 10/1
Good luck today!
