AQUEDUCT – 9/17/22
RACE 1: 6-5-9-8
#6 SOUFFLE looms a heavy favorite in the opener off a narrow miss on debut. This daughter of Candy Ride is kin to stakes winner Derrynane and should improve with experience for the high percentage barn of Christophe Clement.
RACE 2: 2-6-1-4
Perhaps #2 BRONX BOMBER can get loose in this affair. He goes first off a claim by George Weaver and exits an improved run when beaten at 2-1 at the Spa. He made the lead that day and faces fewer potential pace rivals this time around.
RACE 3: 1-9-2-10
#1 INDEMNIFY was very impressive on debut then really didn’t take a step forward in his next start. He now faces a soft field all things considered and draws an ideal inside post from which he can save ground.
RACE 4: 1-8-6-5
#1 KUMAR is going to be thrilled to be back downstate, as he has previously done his best work at Belmont and Aqueduct. He chased a forced pace on the inside last time out and now faces a drastically weaker field as a legitimate threat from just off the pace.
RACE 5: 7-3-4-5
#7 B C GLORY DAYS is a potential upsetter off an improved run last time out. This is an enormous jockey change as his prior rider is completely incompetent. He was inside much of the way last time out on a day when being off the rail was ideal. He can stalk and pounce today at a price.
RACE 6: 6-2-3-7
#6 ROYAL POPPY had enough trouble on debut to be given a second look today at a price. She was out of the gate poorly then rushed into contention in that unveiling before understandably tiring late. If she can get to the front early she will be dangerous given none of the experienced runners showed much early foot on debut.
RACE 7: 4-1-6
#4 TOSKANA BELLE is a German invader for trainer Andreas Wohler and this filly was a game winner of the German Oaks last time out. She has upside given that her last was her first off a layoff and she took a clear step forward on the class jump. The distance is truly right in her wheelhouse as well.
RACE 8: 9-3-1-6
#9 KLICKITAT was claimed back in May and now returns off a break for trainer Linda Rice. She certainly didn’t claim this veteran with an eye on shelving him for 120+ days, but he lands in a favorably spot pace-wise and should be a major threat late.
RACE 9: 7-1A-5
Until we see him once more, it’s safe to assume #7 EXPRESSMAN is a superstar in waiting based on his debut. He was incredibly impressive on debut winning in wire-to-wire fashion on a track that played well to speed. He will meet more early challenges today but should rate comfortably in this spot.
RACE 10: 1-3-6
#1 CLASSIC CAUSEWAY is the one to catch as he tries to stretch it out to 12 panels for trainer Kenny McPeek. He has set fast paces in the first two legs of this series and now gets to slow things down at a marathon distance. That makes him a threat to go the distance under a rider who is exceptionally good with frontrunning types on turf.
RACE 11: 8-1-4-9
#8 ROYAL DANCER is clearly the one to beat on a major drop in class. She nearly took down a stakes race last time out for restricted NY breds but was overhauled late by a massive longshot. She drops back into the maiden ranks and should be tough to handle going the proper trip for her.
ROYAL AQUEDUCT TOP PICK STATS: 19-3-5-7 $17.80
