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Horse Racing

At the Gate – Thursday

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
4 minute read
Racing returns for the first time in 2018 in the Big Apple as Mother Nature wiped out racing with snow and wind and cold. Since Christmas Eve we have raced just twice, with one of those cards canceled mid day because of the weather.

It was six consecutive racing days canceled because of snow and frigid temperatures.

We have a nine-race card on tap this afternoon with the feature the $100,000 Bay Bridge, a state bred race going 1 1/8 miles for fillies and mares that drew a field of five.

The Bay Ridge is one of a slew of stakes races that were wiped out by the canceled cards.. The race was originally slated for Dec. 29 but did not fill, and then was set to go on New Year’s Day.

The race probably should have been called the Frost Giant, as three of the five in the race are by that sire—Frost Wise, Frosty Margarita and Frostie Anne.

The Michael Dilger trainee Frost Wise is the 8-5 morning line favorite. The filly beat state bred Alw-1 foes by 16 ¼ lengths going a mile over the Big A main track. It took her six tries to break her maiden and three to pass her first allowance condition.

Frostie Anne (2-1) beat $25,000 claimers last out and for the third race in a row changes hands, going to the RRod barn via the claim box.

Frosty Margarita (10-1) is a late running mare also trained by RRod. She was second in a New York Stallion Series race and last out at Laurel Park ran second against Alw-2 optional claimers.

Completing the field are two “non-frostys”—Diamond Setter (5-1), a maiden winner against $50,000 state breds and Monteleone (3-1) who ran second at Churchill Downs against $50,000 starter allowance foes.

To purchase my Aqueduct Report for Thursday click here .

Here is the opening race from Aqueduct to get the day off to a good start:

AQU Race 1 Alw $50,000 (12:20 ET)
#2 Holland Park 4-5
#5 Power Boss 7-2
#3 Roaming Union 3-1
#4 Bourbon Boy 10-1

Analysis: Holland Park looks likely to get the day off to a chalky start. The colt chased the early pace and could not get to the winner late in a runner up finish as the beaten chalk in his debut. The McLaughlin barn is 21% winners with second out maidens. This guy has a nice pedigree, by Tapit out of the stakes winner Round Pond ($1.99 million) who has dropped two other foals to race, both winners, top earner stakes winner Long River ($757,847).

Power Boss stalked the early pace and came with a mild late run to finish in the runner up spot last out at 11-1 in his first trip on dirt. His first three trips were on turf, a pair of fifths his best finishes. He should appreciate the extra furlong.

Wagering
WIN: #2 to win at 6-5 or better.
EX: 2 / 3,5
TRI: no play

Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:

AQU Race 8 Alw $67,000N1X (3:50 ET)
#8 Polar Jet 7-2
#1 Westwood 9-5
#4 Forest Blue 8-1
#2 Tommy T 3-1

Analysis: Polar Jet has come off the bench with a pair of impressive wins versus weaker. The colt trounced $25,000 non-winners of two off the bench and then beat $50,000 starter allowance foes in his last outing. He steps up again but looks sharp enough to win right back for Rice. The colt owns a solid pace profile throughout and should get a good tracking trip sitting just off the pace.

Westwood set the early fractions and could not hold off the winner late in a runner up finish going seven furlongs at this level. He graduated two back in gate to wire fashion at this distance in his third career start and second off the bench. He draws the rail which may force the jock's hand as there is plenty of early speed in here. This guy has quite the pedigree, out of the multiple Grade 1 winner Ashado.

Wagering
WIN: #8 to win at 3-1 or better.
EX: 1,8 / 1,2,4,8
TRI: 1,8 / 1,2,4,8 / 1,2,4,6,8

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: #4 Bourbon Boy 10-1
R3: #2 Frosty Margarita 10-1
R5: #2 Eighth Commandment 8-1
R7: #4 Mighty Zealous 8-1
R8: #4 Forest Blue 8-1
R9: #1 My Pirate 12-1
R9: #8 Hong Kong Gardens 10-1

Good luck today!

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