Hold That Prospect went gate to wire to win Saturday’s Correction Handicap as my top pick, returning a paltry $3.60 for the win.
Just minutes later, racing at Aqueduct was done for the day, frigid temperatures knocking out the remainder of the card.
Luckily, we had the six races making up the Sunshine Millions to fall back on.
Both of the races in yesterday’s column panned out well.
This One’s For Phil prevailed over Pashito the Che in one of the best stretch duels of the year, winning the Sprint at Gulfstream Park and returning $4.00.
Pashito the Che was game in defeat, beaten just a nose, and completed a $9.40 exacta.
Later at Santa Anita, Bold Chieftain got home as my top pick in the Classic, returning $12.20 for the win.
My third choice Palladio, who was 30/1 on the morning line and bet down to 7/1, completed a nice exacta payoff of $73.60, which was a good way to end the day.
The cancelation at the Big A certainly caught me by surprise, but we should be back in action on Sunday. The forecast calls for a high of 31 degrees with winds at 10 to 15 mph.
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 $7,500 (12:30 ET)
#1 Yukon Gold Rush 4/1
#5 Midwatch 2/1
#8 Newfy 3/1
#3 Cool N Collective 4/1
Analysis: #1 Yukon Gold Rush drops out of a $10K claimer in the mud in his first trip on the inner. The gelding tracked the early pace, was passed by foes on each side and looked done, then came back in the stretch and nearly caught the winner, missing by a half length in a good effort. The third and seventh place finishers came out of that race to win next out. He should get a good tracking trip sitting just off the pace and looks capable of beating this group.
#5 Midwatch has won 3 of his last 4 starts, the lone loss a runner up finish two back behind repeat winner Bon Marie, who came back to beat $16K claimers on Dec. 2, then beat $10K starter allowance foes on Jan. 8. The 11 year old makes his first start for the Autrey barn that is 19% winners first off the claim. The gelding owns a good edge in early and mid pace numbers and may prove tough to catch, but the old timer is going to be a light price.
Wagering
WIN: #1 to win at 3/1 or better.
EX: 1,5 /1,3,5,8
TRI: 1,5 / 1,3,5,8 / 1,3,5,7,8
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:
AQU Race 8 Coyote Lakes S. (3:49 ET)
#4 Jade's Revenge 4/1
#7 Tiger's Rock 2/1
#1 Nite Light 8/5
#2 Precursor 10/1
Analysis: #4 Jade's Revenge was off poorly last out and finished up evenly for a third place finish at Laurel Park versus optional claimers. The field was tough, the winner Ah Day a multiple stakes winner and the runner up Understatement came back to win the Evening Attire Stakes in his next outing on Jan. 16. The seven year old has won at the distance, taking the Ft. Harrod at Keeneland over poly back in '08. He looks primed for a good effort, but one of his worst career starts came in his lone start on the inner. The Pletcher duo figure to get pounded at the windows leaving this guy as a possible overlay.
#7 Tiger's Rock won the Gallant Fox last out at nearly 12/1 over his 4/5 stablemate. It was his first go in a stake and just his sixth career outing. He is picking up six pounds off the win while #1 Nite Light sheds two pounds, but he just looks like he has more upside.
Wagering
WIN: #4 to win at 7/2 or better.
EX: 4,7 / 1,2,4,7
TRI: 4,7 / 1,2,4,7 / 1,2,3,4,7
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: #4 Dreamnote 10/1
R5: #7 Client Eight 8/1
R6: #8 Wynot Siyue 15/1
R6: #4 Thunder Reigns 10/1
R8: #2 Precursor 10/1
R9: #11 Cottage Industry 8/1
R9: #5 Kristen Elizabeth 8/1
Good luck today!