While Zenyatta put in another last to first victory to stay undefeated in 15 starts, Rachel Alexandra came up short in her return to the track, perhaps putting in doubt their showdown at Oaklawn Park next month.
Zenyatta fans may have has a few anxious moments in the Santa Margarita Handicap (G1) at Santa Anita when jockey Mike Smith found traffic in front of him, but the mare found some running room down along the inside, angled back out to blow by the leader and won in hand by 1 ¼ lengths.
Just minutes earlier, Rachel Alexandra came up short in her first start of 2010, unable to match strides late with the John Shirreffs trained Zardana, who beat the reigning Horse of the Year by ¾ of a length in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes.
Rachel Alexandra did not look like the same filly who won all eight of her starts last year, three against males.
It was her first start in six months, and her training was interrupted by bad weather at Fair Grounds, so perhaps we can toss her a mulligan.
Jockey Calvin Borel said, “My little filly tried hard. She needed the race, that’s all. She needed the race more than anything.”
Trainer Steve Asmussen took the blame, stating, “I’m just disappointed she didn’t win today. It was a lack in fitness and it’s our job to have her there and I didn’t do it.”
Her disappointing effort certainly puts the showdown with Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom Invitational (G1) in doubt.
Asmussen said, “Well, if I thought she’d get beat I wouldn’t have run her today, so I’m definitely going to be cautious.”
Did Rachel Alexandra need a race or is she over the top after a tough campaign last year?
It is only 26 days until the Apple Blossom, giving Asmussen precious little time to find out.
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 (1:00 ET)
#3 Saratoga Lulaby 4/1
#4 Who Needs to Know 9/5
#1 Castle Harbour 6/1
#2 Metulla 3/1
Analysis: #3 Saratoga Lulaby gets the nod in the opener, a rather dull six hose field where none of these look very appealing. The six year old was a smart looking winner two back for this tag, but failed to fire when finding a good spot last out against $10K non winners of two in six months. He should be closer to the pace here and while he is just 1 for 11 on wet tracks, that victory was against Alw-3 optional claimers and he earned a 100 Beyer, his career best. He has lost a few steps since then, but this sure is a weak spot.
#4 Who Needs to Know held on gamely to win by a head last out for this tag. The gelding has been running consistent figs in recent starts and is two for seven on wet tracks. He fits but the price will be on the light side.
#1 Castle Harbour stretches out so he could be a threat to steal this on the front. The barn is 30% winners (with a +ROI) moving runners from sprint to route, but most of those wins came at Suffolk and Finger Lakes and he is just 1 for 22 on the stretch out here in the Big Apple going back five years.
Wagering
WIN: #3 to win at 3/1 or better.
EX: 3,4 / 1,3,4
TRI: no play
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:
AQU Race 7 Alw $16,000s (3:55 ET)
#7 Three in the Bag 7/2
#3 Reptilian Smarts 3/1
#1 Stealth Missile 9/2
#4 More Than a Reason 5/2
Analysis: #7 Three in the Bag is stepping into a tougher spot here after beating $16K non winners of a race in six months last out in his first go for Rice off the claim. The gelding was making his first start off a six month break. The eight year old loves the inner surface (13-7-2-1) and loves running on a wet track (8-5-1-0). He faces a solid group here but looks up to the task for a barn that is 36% winners (with a +ROI) with horses making their second start off a +180 day layoff.
#3 Reptilian Smarts was a sharp winner last out versus $25K claimers, his eighth career start in 13 trips on the inner. This guy reeled off six wins in a row in '08-'09, and looks back on track now as he makes his third start off the bench. The only question is the off track. The six year old has only raced on a wet track once in his 25 race career, a third place finish three back over a good track at Belmont Park versus Alw-3 optional claimers.
Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 3,7 / 1,3,4,7
TRI: 3,7 / 1,3,4,7 / 1,3,4,5,7
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: #1 Triple Latte 8/1
R4: #4 Seattle Dynasty 12/1
R5: #3 Hank the Billymax 10/1
R6: #7 Tonga 15/1
R8: #8 Laylaben 10/1
R9: #5 Penalty Due 10/1
R9: #7 Glance My Way 12/1
Good luck today!
