AQUEDUCT – 2/4/22
RACE 1: 2-5-7-3
#2 SCHERZANDO has been competitive of late and gets a massive upgrade at pilot with Dylan Davis getting aboard. The pace did not materialize for this son of Maclean’s Music last time out and should today. He will be at his best if allowed to settle and make one run this afternoon.
RACE 2: 2-5-6
#2 IT’S MANDATORY was ineffective on the slop last time out and now drops in class for trainer Jeffrey Englehart. He has tactical speed and can stay within range early in a race that’s devoid of pace. There are only 3 win candidates in this compact field.
RACE 3: 3-2-1
A big middle move made the job for #3 EASY TO BLESS that much more difficult last time out and she now figures to benefit from a more patient ride. There’s confirmed speed in here that will set up her late bid and she gets a weight break with the bug boy astride. Look for her to settle and make one run in here.
RACE 4: 4-9-6-1
The distance is the biggest worry for #4 LEFT LEANING LUCY. She was wide the entire way against much tougher last time out and that gives her a viable excuse. The pace should set up well for her here as she can get involved as a live longshot.
RACE 5: 6-10-13-12
#6 KAY TEE GAL was bet down to 7/2 on debut against tougher maiden claimers and ended up racing squarely against the grain of the surface. She now drops in class at second asking and should find this field more to her liking. Look for her to have a bit more speed with a cleaner break from the gate.
RACE 6: 5-3-8-1/1A
The last time #5 GROUP HUG raced on dirt he faced considerably tougher competition at Churchill Downs. He ran a bang-up race when victorious at 7 panels under the Twin Spires in November and that running line makes him a player here. He is still N2L eligible, though, and his inability to win is the worry.
RACE 7: 6-4-5-8
#6 CHLOE ROSE shortens up a tad in distance for trainer Gustavo Rodriguez after setting the pace and weakening late at a mile. She is better sprinting and can revert to her winning tactics today. There’s enough speed in here to setup late runners like she and #4 SUSPENDED CAMPAIGN.
RACE 8: 5-6-4-1
#5 PRIORITIZE was taken for 62.5k last time out by the high percentage stable of Rudy Rodriguez. This barn is 32% in a 65 horse sample with Aqueduct dirt routers first off of claims over the last 5 years ($2.18 ROI). The pace should help this late runner who is not far removed from trying stakes foes.
RACE 9: 6-3-10-2
As much as you might want to take a swing against #6 PHENOMENAL WOMAN, she is a very likely winner of this affair. She drops back in for a tag second off a claim by the high percentage stable of Juan Vazquez and should be in range from the start. The bug boy who’s in the irons here has proven to be quite adept riding frontrunning types.
