AQUEDUCT – 10/9/22
RACE 1: 4-2-6-3
#4 STORM THE EMPIRE raced forwardly along the rail last time out on a day when losing ground was advantageous on the Saratoga main track. This gelding can move forward at second asking for trainer Jeffrey Englehart and has the speed to be a factor from the outset.
RACE 2: 3-7-5-9
Saving ground may be a massive edge on the inner turf currently and #3 BOX N SCORE should hug the inside much of the way here. He ran a better race than it looks two starts back against a tougher N3L field at the Spa and now figures to be a fair price in a competitive field.
RACE 3: 1-5-2
#1 NEST is the proverbial ‘free square’ in the early Pick 5 as she seeks a third straight graded stake score. Trainer Todd Pletcher is opting to give her a run before the BC Distaff in order to keep rust from accumulating. She was very good in two Spa starts and should be tough to handle here.
RACE 4: 7-2-4-6
The first leg of the Pick 6 with a carryover became more difficult with the scratch of the morning line fave, so #7 MATT DOYLE becomes the interesting entrant. He goes 2nd off a layoff for Rudy Rodriguez and showed potential last year for a lesser barn. The outside post will enable him to stalk and pounce in the late stages.
RACE 5: 2-1/1A-12-11
#2 ON PALM SUNDAY is the one to catch from the inside and should be dangerous if left alone on the front end. He set a white hot pace last time out before getting tired late, and now faces a tougher field. The inside paths on the inner turf course felt like they were stronger throughout Saturday’s card.
RACE 6: 3-7-1-2
#3 INFLATION NATION ran better than his Beyer Speed Figure for his last start suggests. The 1-2 finishers from that affair were 2 lengths clear of the third place runner and that is significant sprinting on the lawn. He has the ability to sit just off the pace and should be in a good spot given the amount of speed here.
RACE 7: 1-7-3-6
The new likeliest Pick 6 single is #1 SWEET MYSTERY, who was a very good second last time out behind runaway winner Truancy. An also ran from that affair has since scored on the cutback in distance and this gal should get a great stalking trip from the rail. Her steady improvement in each passing start is encouraging to boot.
RACE 8: 4-10-8-9
#4 KING CAUSE is interesting coming in off a solid runner-up effort against tough competition at Kentucky Downs. He has speed and a cozy inside post from which he should be able to race close to the rail. His past success at Aqueduct is encouraging and he looks to be training well for this engagement.
RACE 9: 6-7-8-13
#6 ROBYN AND ELI drops in class for trainer Chad Brown, who is interestingly 4 for his last 5 with turf sprinting maidens dropping in for tags ($5.40 ROI). This filly has been a massive disappointment given the way she started her career, but she should win this race with anything close to her best prior outings.
