Friday’s Picks from Aqueduct

For the month of March, Aqueduct will be running on a Friday through Sunday schedule, and hopefully running just three days a week will help boost field size which was not great over the last couple of weeks.

We kick off today’s card with just five runners but every other race today has at least seven betting interests.

We have a big Saturday coming up with three Road to the Kentucky Derby points races on tap. Each of the three races offer up 50-20-10-5 points with the winners virtually assuring themselves a spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday of May.

The $300,000 Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct drew a field of eight including the Chad Brown trained Highly Motivated, winner of the Nyquist on Nov. 8 in his last outing. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert ships in Freedom Fighter from the left coast. The colt was second in the San Vicente (G2) in his last outing.

At Tampa Bay Downs we have the $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2), the marquee event of their meeting. A dozen will line up including Sam F. Davis (G3) winner Candy Man Rocket.

At Santa Anita a field of seven will line up in the $300,000 San Felipe (G2). Baffert will saddle Life Is Good, winner of the Sham (G3) and Medina Spirit, who won the Robert B. Lewis (G3).

I will have my analysis and selections for all three Derby points races in Saturday’s Best Plays Report. Between the three tracks there are 14 stakes including the $400,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) and $400,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1).

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 Friday 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 which include the major Kentucky Derby preps.

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

AQUEDUCT RACE 1 ANALYSIS (1:20 P.M. ET)

Race 1 Md Sp Wt

  • #3 My Brother Neil   1-1
  • #1 Rumdum Byda Sea   10-1
  • #5 Full Moon Fever   4-5
  • #2 Cox's Ledge   8-1

Analysis: My Brother Neil dueled for the early lead and could not match strides late with the winner in a runner up finish last out over a wet track that was playing to outside stalkers and closers. The colt was third in his debut over a fast track and then third in the mud two back in his first trip at a mile. He needs to get an extra furlong here but only has to outrun four foes here and it looks as if he should be able to shake loose early. He is by Exaggerator out of a Giant Oak mare, her first foal to race.

Rumdum Byda Sea was sixth in the mud in his debut at 46-1 and then was outrun last out over a wet track in his second career start again at big odds. This guy does have enough pedigree to handle nine furlongs, by Bellamy Road out of a Sea Hero mare that has dropped seven winners, five of which have earned more than $200K. This guy appears to give us the best shot of breaking up a chalky exacta to start off the day. 

AQUEDUCT RACE 6 ANALYSIS (3:52 P.M. ET)

Race 6 Alw $12,500s

  • #2 Miss Mi Mi   6-1
  • #7 Malibu Mischief   6-5
  • #8 Lovely Lady Lexi   9-2
  • #5 Dublinornothin   6-1

Analysis: Miss Mi Mi stalked the early pace, came with a five wide move and lost ground in the stretch in a fifth-place finish last out against $50,000 starter allowance foes. She caught a racing strip that was kind to inside speed that day. The runner up Freedom Passage came back to beat $25,000 starter allowance foes at Philly in her next outing while the third-place finisher Adhwaa came back to beat $50,000 starter allowance company on Feb. 26. She makes her first start here for the Miceli barn that is 23% winners (with a +ROI) with newcomers to the barn. She looks well spotted finding a $12,500 starter allowance heat here.

Malibu Mischief was claimed last July for $12,500 and she reeled off four wins in a row by a combined 22 1/4 lengths. She then was a decent third in the Willa On the Move and tired to finish fifth last out in the What a Summer, those last two outings coming at Laurel Park. She finds a good spot but does she have anything left in the tank? The price is going to end up light on this gal. 

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 Rumdum Byda Sea   10-1
  • R3: #5 Tapizearance   8-1
  • R3: #4 Mission Wrapitup   12-1
  • R4: #9 Lady’s Boy   8-1
  • R5: #4 Colormepazzi   8-1
  • R7: #1 Violent Trick   12-1
  • R7: #3 Gracetown   8-1
  • R8: #8 Captivating Cara   8-1 

Good luck today!

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