AQUEDUCT – 4/1/2021
RACE 1: 1-3-5
#1 MISSPOTOFGOLD opened up a clear lead off the far turn last time out at 40-1 and looked on her way to an upset win before weakening late. She is now the one to catch in a weak field and should once again be a good price.
RACE 2: 5-4-2
#5 GHOST STALKER was wide last time out and had a rival come out into him on the far turn. He ended up racing evenly late but now faces weaker on a fairer surface for a barn that has been on a nice run of late.
RACE 3: 4-1/1A-6-2
#4 MO GOTCHA was buried inside late last time out at Laurel after getting steadied on the far turn. He can be more alert early today with the blinkers going on and he has previously run well at Aqueduct.
RACE 4: 2-5-6
Trainer Bill Mott is giving up on #2 BARISTA VIXEN, who nearly won a 50k starter allowance event here in late February. She is a surefire multi-way shake at the claim box on the drop and should win handily with anything similar to her last two.
RACE 5: 3-7-8
#3 WHICHWAYTOMALIBU actually ran a big race last time to break his maiden and now merits serious consideration in his first try against winners. This barn is 12% with dirt starters exiting maiden wins ($3.18 ROI) and should be in an ideal stalking spot in a race short on confirmed early speed.
RACE 6: 1/1A-6-3
The Mertkan Kantarmaci-trained entry of #1 INDIAN COUNSELOR and #1A DUST DEVIL is formidable in that both can handle the added ground and have forward running styles. The latter was an unlucky loser last time out racing against the grain of the track and the objective here became easier with Grit and Glory scratching.
RACE 7: 6-2-1
The distance is seemingly the biggest question with #6 INVALUABLE, as she is likely better going shorter. With that said, she is the controlling speed and enters in razor sharp form for veteran Pat Reynolds. The outside post is ideal in that Manny Franco can either go to the lead or stalk and pounce.
RACE 8: 2-1-7
Keep an eye on how Whichwaytomalibu performs in Race 5 given that #2 A VOW OF BEAUTY looks like a virtual cinch in the nightcap. He loses the shades while picking up Irad Ortiz, Jr. off a strong effort when squarely against the track profile. This should be his best dirt effort to date making the 3rd start of his form cycle.
AQUEDUCT STATS: 238-59-41-30 $362.70
