AQUEDUCT 11/12/22
RACE 1: 1-5-3-6
#5 LOOMS BOLDLY ran a bang-up race on debut to finish second at 12-1 after setting a robust pace. He is the one to catch once again and should benefit from having experience for a top notch barn.
RACE 2: 3-5-1-2
#3 HEALING continues to drop in class after being claimed for 32k in August and failing in three straight outings. The difference here, however, is that the competition is far weaker than what he’s been facing. There should also be some pace to help set up his late bid.
RACE 3: 4-3-2-6
#4 AMUNDSON loves Aqueduct and should be a major threat from the opening bell this afternoon. He goes first off a claim by Linda Rice and should be sharp out of the gate in a heat that has other speed. Whether he can withstand any early pressure is the main question.
RACE 4: 1/1A-6-7-2
Either half of the Linda Rice-trained entry of #1 WIN FOR GOLD and #1A GOT THE GOLD can win here, even if they’ve each had some issues with camera shyness. The former is the classier of the two and exits a strong performance where he got involved in a very strong pace before tiring late. The latter is a late threat who’ll be helped if there is pace on in here.
RACE 5: 6-2-7-3
#6 FOREVER WICKED made a strong late move into the pace last time and should be a stretch threat once again. He has been in improving form for a barn whose runners have quietly had a good run this week. Look for him in the late stages.
RACE 6: 8-7-6-9
#8 NEW YORK SUPREME is new to the barn of Ray Handal after finishing a clear second in her final start for prior trainer Rudy Rodriguez. Handal is a strong 43% with dirt sprinters off 180+ day breaks ($3.41 ROI) and this mare is versatile enough to be positioned anywhere in the opening stages.
RACE 7: 6-1-4-2
#3 OUTLIER narrowly missed last time out at Keeneland should be a strong threat late this afternoon. Trainer “Lynn” Cash loves to run his horses and he’s kept this gelding active with this being his 10th start since the Kentucky Derby. His speed can keep him close and he showed a nice late kick last time out.
RACE 8: 4-5-3-6
#4 TWO THIRTY FIVE was wide much of the way last time out on a day when saving ground was beneficial. This son of Stay Thirsty now goes 2nd off a claim and figures to be in position throughout in this paceless affair. Should things really go his way, he could potentially wire this field.
RACE 9: 1-10-8-6
#1 FULIGNI is a major threat from a short layoff for Jimmy Bond after failing on turf last time out. She was bet down to 3-1 as part of an entry two back and showed speed before fading, but she was likely on the wrong part of the racetrack. This is a reasonable spot for her given the drop and her recent bullet workout.