Thursday’s Picks from Aqueduct

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

14 minute read

The horse racing industry has been able to continue despite the pandemic, although the majority of tracks are racing without fans in attendance.

Horseplayers looking to head out to the track will get an opportunity next week as Tampa Bay Downs announced that fans would be allowed at the racetrack.

The meeting opens on Wednesday. Nov. 25 and runs until May 2. The highlight of the meeting each year is the Tampa Bay Derby (G1), a major prep for the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Fans will be required to wear masks both inside and outside the facility, unless they are eating or drinking.

Various measures have been established to ensure social distancing, including:

• The creation of more outdoor, private spaces for small groups
• A limited number of benches on the apron of the Grandstand, with increased spacing
• Computer-generated, socially distanced Grandstand seating
• A reduction in box seating, from eight to six seats per box 

This year’s Kentucky Derby is back in its usual spot on the first Saturday of May, and with the pandemic worsening, the officials at Churchill Downs must be nervous with the prospect of holding the Derby and Kentucky Oaks without fans again this year.

With just 163 days until the Run for the Roses, we have to hope that we start getting a handle on this virus and a vaccine is made widely available by this spring.

As convenient as it is to play the ponies from home, I think we are all anxious to get back out to the racetrack. After being cooped up mostly at home for the past nine months, I just may have to make the trip to Tampa soon.

You can catch the action from Aqueduct today from 11:30 to 5:30 ET on FS2. In addition, you can stream the action on YouTube or by using the TVG App. The horse betting company based in the U.S. is offering a 50% deposit match up to $250 .

To purchase my Aqueduct Report for Thursday click here .

Now is the perfect time to purchase my Monthly Package. It gives you a month of Aqueduct Reports daily and my Best Plays Report each Saturday and Sunday.

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

AQUEDUCT RACE 1 ANALYSIS (11:50 A.M. ET)

Race 1 Clm $14,000N3L

• #1 King of Ranch   8-1
• #2 Economic Policy   1-1
• #4 Bozzini   6-1
• #5 Local Counsel   4-1

Analysis: King of Ranch makes his first start on dirt after his first 13 trips came on turf. He faded to finish seventh last out against restricted $12,500 foes at Monmouth Park over good ground. Two back he set the early fractions and weakened to finish third. He draws the rail and there is no early speed in here. he has worked pretty well on dirt. The RRod barn is 11% winners moving runners from turf to dirt. Worth a look if he goes off near his 8-1 morning line.

Economic Policy stalked the early pace, came with a wide bid to take over the lead and drew clear late to beat $16,000 non-winners of two last out in his first start against winners. He broke his maiden two back at Monmouth Park in a race taken off the turf when dropped in for $16,000. His last pair of speed figs are tops in here and he looks very capable of stepping up a condition here to the non-winners of three level and wining right back. He has had no takers at the claim box in his last two and Brown looks like he is trying to get rid of him running him back here for $14,000. The price is going to be very much on the light side.  

AQUEDUCT RACE 8 ANALYSIS (3:17 P.M. ET)

Race 8 Alw $50,000s

Analysis: Come Storming is cutting back from nine furlongs here where last out the filly tracked the early pace came with a four wide bid and did not have enough punch left late in a third place finish, beaten 1 3/4 lengths for the top spot as the beaten favorite. The filly was claimed out of the race by the Maker barn that this 17% winners first off the claim. She was sixth two back behind repeat winner Robin Sparkles at this level and third in her two prior starts. The cut back in distance here should suit her and the barn does good work with recent claims. She picks up Vargas and the 8-1 morning line looks fair enough.

Princess Fawzia prompted the early pace and finished evenly in a third place finish last out going seven furlongs on turf at this level The winner Robin Sparkles came back to beat open Alw-1 company in her next outing on Nov. 7 here. She ran second at this level going a mile or longer in her three previous starts, coming out on the wrong ends of photos in two of those outings. Rice is 24% winners moving runners from sprint to route. Johnny V. sticks and she has enough tactical speed to overcome the tough post. 

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: #1 King of Ranch   8-1
• R6: #12 Home for Christmas   8-1
• R6: #7 Mon Cherie   10-1
• R8: #10 Come Storming   8-1
• R9: #2 Bourbon Currency   8-1 

Good luck today!

VegasInsider Staff

More from VegasInsider Staff