AQUEDUCT 09/24/22
RACE 1: 6-1-5-8
#6 EXCURSIONNISTE has run a number of races that would win this heat. He rallied well to be third most recently and should be a strong late player once again. There’s enough pace in here to set the table and he is a deserving favorite this afternoon.
RACE 2: 5-6-7-1
#5 CORKMAN has been in good form of late and now drops back in for a tag for trainer Orlando Noda. This barn had a surprisingly quiet Saratoga meet but already has a win at this stand. The pace should set up well for this nicely bred veteran and he will be heard from in the closing stages.
RACE 3: 5-2-3
#5 KALIFORNIA QUEEN is better than her rivals in this compact field. She was three-time graded stkae placed in 2021 before going to the sidelines and now returns off a layoff for Chad Brown. This barn is 29% in NY with graded stake turfers off 180+ day breaks ($2.52 ROI).
RACE 4: 7-3-6-4
When last seen, #7 MUST BE LOVE was last against much tougher competition at Saratoga on the Travers Stakes undercard. He now lands in a far more realistic spot for trainer Gustavo Rodriguez and figures to be in a stalk and pounce position from the start. You’ll get some value here as well.
RACE 5: 4-1-6-7
#4 LET HER INSPIRE U shortens up in distance for trainer Todd Pletcher and fits well in this affair. She is talented and her improvement has been steady since the beginning of her career and still has plenty of upside. The pace in this race should definitely work out in her favor as well.
RACE 6: 1-2-4-6
#1 BAT FLIP is moving to turf for trainer Todd Pletcher and should improve on the surface switch. He is by Good Magic, who does not have a turf debut winner, but his dam is a turf winner and she is a half to Grade I placed turfer Money Multiplier. There’s reason to believe this guy will improve on the lawn.
RACE 7: 4-7-6-3
#4 LEDDY goes first off a claim by a high percentage barn that is off to a hot start at the meet. He has reportedly trained well since his last start and should be involved in the pace this afternoon. If he improves off his last start, he’ll be particularly tough to handle in this affair.
RACE 8: 7-4-3-2
#7 CAUSIN’ MAYHEM switches surfaces for trainer Todd Pletcher after contesting a hot early tempo in the Queen’s Plate last time out. He is quick enough to reach the front in this affair and will be a square price to boot. His debut effort at Gulfstream included subsequent turf winners Riot House and Analogy, so he has kept respectable company.
RACE 9: 2-7-4-8
#2 BEST IDEA is a late runner who comes in with good recent form and a strong worktab. There’s more than enough pace in here to set up his late bid and he should get a nice trip just off of the frontrunners. All signs point to him being a strong player in the closing stages.
RACE 10: 5-2-6-3
There’s no glory in picking the chalk, but #5 CITY MAN is clearly the one to beat off of two straight top notch efforts against graded stakes foes. He was victorious two back and wound up skipping the NY bred event at the Spa for a try in the Bernard Baruch. This is the right spot class-wise at this stage of his career and his recent form is simply too good for these.
RACE 11: 5-3-9-4
#5 CAPITAL GAL was hopelessly wide off the far turn last time out when saving ground was essential. She should improve on the drop in class and should be more forwardly placed given how rank she was early in her last start.
ROYAL AQUEDUCT TOP PICK STATS: 38-7-11-9 $42.50
