Thursday’s Picks from Aqueduct

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Sad news to report today as one of my favorite horses of all time passed away at the age of 16.

Goldikova was elected to the Hall of Fame after a brilliant campaign that included becoming the first in history to win three Breeders’ Cup races. She won the Breeders’ Cup Mile in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

She attempted a fourth Mile in 2011 but came up short in a third-place finish.

She was owned by Alain and Gerard Wertheimer and trained by Freddy Head. She ran 27 times in her career, winning 17 and earning $7,176,551. 14 of her wins were Group 1 or Grade 1 victories.

In her second career as a broodmare she produced seven foals, the best being Group 3 winner and Group 1 placed Terrakova.

We are back in action at the Big A today with an eight-race card that kicks off at 12:50 ET. The early Pick 5 could end up chalky as we have a 3-5 chalk in the opener and a 6-5 chalk in the third race.

The Late Pick 5 appears to be the better option. Don’t forget with only eight races on today’s card the Late Pick 5 starts with the fourth race this afternoon. You can stream the action from Aqueduct today 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 .  In addition, AmWager is offering up to a $500 bonus for new horseplayers.

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 (12:50 P.M. ET)

Race 1 Md $25,000

• #8 Daggerboard   6-1
• #3 Another Shot   3-5
• #4 Swinging Sticks   9-2
• #7 Scotty   10-1               

Analysis: Daggerboard makes his third career start and second on dirt here for the Cox barn. The colt was not a threat on turf in his debut at the Spa and last out checked in seventh versus $40,000 state breds on the main track here. he was wide much of the trip and the runner up Bowing Snowman came back to graduate in his next outing on for a $40,000 tag on Dec. 12. He drops a notch here and the barn is 26% winners with adding lasix for the first time. Carmouche is off to ride the Nevin firster. The 6-1 morning line seems fair although we may see a bit lighter. The colt was a $26,000 Keeneland purchase, the first foal to race out of a Harlington mare. He has enough pedigree to handle the added ground.

Another Shot chased the early pace and finished up well in a third-place finish last out in his first trip at a mile. He has moved forward with each start and does not need to move forward much off his last effort. He returns a gelding for the Breen barn. He is by palace Malice out of a Malibu Moon mare, her first foal to race. The obvious one to beat in this soft spot but his price is going to be puny. 

AQUEDUCT RACE 6 ANALYSIS (3:20 P.M. ET)

Race 6 Alw $50,000s

• #3 Make Or Break   9-2
• #8 Big Bennys Tribute   2-1
• #2 Chaysenbryn   5-2
• #5 Amos   7-2

Analysis: Make Or Break makes her first start for the Kantarmaci barn that is 24% winners (with a +ROI) first off the claim. Last out against $16,000 non-winners of two the filly was near the back of the pack early and came with a good late run to finish in the runner up spot. She caught a racing strip that was playing to inside speed. She steps up into tougher spot here but looks capable of moving forward off her last and is going to get some pace to run at here.

Big Bennys Tribute pressed the early pace, took over the lead and battled on gamely in a runner up finish last out at this level. She was stretching out to a mile for the first time in her career. Her three wins have come sprinting, but she showed last out she can handle the extra ground, earning a career top speed fig. She owns a solid pace profile throughout and fits well here although our top pick is going to end up offering a bit more value for the top spot. 

LIVE LONGSHOTS

Aqueduct

• R1: #7 Scotty   10-1
• R2: #2 Steam Engine   8-1
• R3: #9 Lady’s Boy   12-1
• R5: #8 Run Smitty Run   12-1 

Good luck today!

VegasInsider Staff

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