Saturday’s Picks from Aqueduct and Del Mar

Rain washed off the turf races yesterday at Aqueduct as I expected it would, but we still fared pretty well with three winners on top on the nine race card including a nice overlay on Halo City. The main track only entrant won the eighth race and paid $20.80.

There are a couple of hours this afternoon where we have chance of some rain, but I am hoping we are back on the grass today. The feature is the $150,000 Artie Schiller at a mile on the inner turf and drew a really strong field with 10 going to the post if we stay on turf.


It was messy at Churchill Downs yesterday as well, so for today’s Best Plays I thought it would be best to head out to sunny Del Mar. I passed on the feature which drew a small field of five but we have a couple of maiden races where it looks as if we can catch a couple of decent prices.

My Best Plays Report for Saturday includes my eight strongest plays from Belmont Park and Keeneland.

“America’s Day at the Races” is on FS2 from 11:30 to 12:00 ET and 4:00 to 6:00 this afternoon with the action from Aqueduct. TVG is offering new players up to a $300 Risk Free wager. In addition, Twin Spires is offering a $200 Risk Free wager.

To purchase my Aqueduct and Best Plays Reports for Saturday click here .

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

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

Race 1 Md $12,500

  • #6 Dream Bigger 5-2
  • #3 Binkster 3-1
  • #1 Summer Bourbon 2-1
  • #4 Gran Casique 9-2

Analysis: Dream Bigger dueled for the early lead and tired to finish sixth last out against state bred $25,000 claimers. The colt was claimed out of the race, landing with the Kantarmaci barn that is 23% winners first off the claim. Two of his three wins have come over the main track here and he looks like a good fit here jammed in for a $16,000 tag. He ran pretty well in his lone trip over a wet track which we may see this afternoon.

Binkster exits the same race as our top pick. He chased the early pace, got to the front briefly and weakened to finish fourth. He was claimed as well, going today for the Handal barn that is 18% winners first off the claim. His last win came at Monmouth Park four back where he beat Alw-1 optional claimers. He has run well on off tracks and has three wins over the Big A main track in his career.

AQUEDUCT 7 ANALYSIS (2:43 P.M. ET)

Race 7 OClm $45,000N2X

  • #1 Honey Money 5-2
  • #6 Ruvies in Time 6-1
  • #2 Breakfastatbonnies 9-5
  • #5 Beautiful Karen 3-1

Analysis: Honey Money tracked the early pace and weakened to finish fourth last out at this level at Belmont Park. The winner The Important One came back to win the state bred Iroquois in her next outing on Oct. 30 at Belmont Park. Two back over a wet track at the Spa our top pick was a good third behind another repeat winner in Miss Jimmy who won the state bred Arctic Queen and then ran second in the Iroquois. That was yet another repeat winner three back she ran second in her first try at this level. She is better than her last and Ortiz sticks for Potts.

Ruvies in Time is back with state breds after getting beaten by double digit lengths against open Alw-1 foes in her last two starts. She has run into some toughies including Bella Sophia tow back, she is now a graded stakes winner and four back she was fourth behind Aunt Kat who is now stakes placed. She won at this level back in February over the main track here, then won the Videogenic. The return to the NY ranks may pick her up but she probably needs a fast track as she has not run well on off tracks in her career and there is a chance of some afternoon showers.

DEL MAR 6 ANALYSIS (3:00 P.M. PT)

Race 6 Md Sp Wt

  • #8 Bron and Brow 6-1
  • #5 Sir London 5-2
  • #7 Wesleyan 5-1
  • #2 Air Combat 4-1
  • #1 Pec Tacular

Analysis: Bron and Brow debuts for the Miller barn that is 11% winners with first timers. To win this colt just needs to beat three debut runners from the Baffert barn, piece of cake right? This colt is by Gormley out of a Changintheweather mare that has dropped two foals to race, both winners including stakes winner Emily's Lollipop ($56,720). Solid works and we should end up getting a fair price on this guy.

Sir London put in a good effort in his debut where he was sent off at 9-2 in a field of eight, running second while no match for a gate to wire debut runner sent out by Baffert. He was off a beat slow and was 3 1/2 clear of the rest of the field in the effort. The Callaghan barn is 25% winners with second out maidens. He is out of a Seeking the Gold mare that has dropped four other runners, all winners.

LIVE LONGSHOTS

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their Pick 4 and Pick 5 wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win wager. 

Aqueduct

  • R2: #3 Beau Brown 10-1
  • R4: #10 No Payne 8-1
  • R4: #12 Freedom Machine 8-1
  • R6: #5 Pipito 8-1
  • R8: #1 Naughty Prince 8-1
  • R9: #4 March to the Arch 8-1
  • R9: #7 En Wye Cee 8-1

Good luck today!