AQUEDUCT – 1/19/2024
RACE 1: 3-5-4-1
#3 WEATHER DELAY is a firster by Curlin, whose progeny hit at a 13% clip on debut. The dam here was a multiple Grade I winner and this filly appears to be training well, including a recent gate drill a week ago. She need not be much to contend for top honors today and that’s important to note.
RACE 2: 1-4-5-3
#1 KILLY START is dangerous back quickly off a claim by trainer Gary Contessa after rallying to be second against lesser last week. This daughter of Upstart was out of the gate poorly in that January 11 event and made a big wide move into a slow pace. There’s no reason to take #4 I’M BUZZY over this runner.
RACE 3: 6-5-3-2
#6 BELLS TOLLING has yet to try a dry racetrack, and may not get one here either. She is, however, interesting at a square price with blinkers going on and Lasix added. Her last race was largely ruined by a slow break and the shades going on should keep her more involved early.
RACE 4: 7-4-6-2
There is no doubt that #7 RUN FOR YOUR HONEY will have to run a faster race to contend here. She is, however, very likely to benefit from the pace scenario in this affair given there are no fewer than three speedsters signed up. She beat up on a weak field last time out, but a couple of runners from there have already returned to bump up their Beyer speed figures.
RACE 5: 4-1-6-5
The subject of the most infamous DQ of the decade, #4 BRICK AMBUSH, is the one to beat here coming out of the NY Stallion Series event before Christmas. He will get Lasix today for the first time in a spot where his price will likely drift below even money. The speed he possesses and the lack of it in this field is also noteworthy.
RACE 6: 5-4-3-7
#5 PERPETUAL PRAISE is the one to catch today returning off a layoff for Ray Handal and got involved in a hot pace in that last start. She was against the grain of the track that afternoon given the inside was not the place to be. If she is able to get loose today on a racetrack that plays like yesterday’s then she will be very tough.
RACE 7: 2-1-7-3
#2 SUE ELLEN MISHKIN goes second off a layoff and is the one to catch today for Linda Rice. She has done her best work here at Aqueduct and has held her form well of late, even with the barn switches. If able to get loose then she is very likely to stay on the distance.
RACE 8: 6-4-8-7
#6 NO SURRENDER probably took the worst of it in the common race amongst a number of these on New Year’s Day. He was in tight around the turn and lost position before attempting to re-rally and now returns to a distance that suits him better. The price will be decent enough here and the jockey change is significant.
