AQUEDUCT 12/3/2022
RACE 1: 5-6-1-3
After scratches, #5 CLASSIC LEGACY is the one to beat given the improvement shown second time out for Bill Mott. The only perceivable negative is his lack of speed, but he looks better than his rivals in here.
RACE 2: 5-4-6-3
The improvement generally shown by second time starters from the barn of Linda Rice is enough to give #5 FEMA FUNDS. The runner-up from her last start has since returned to validate the Beyer speed figure and this gal was close to a pretty strong pace that afternoon.
RACE 3: 7-1A-5-6
#7 DIVA BANKER figures to get the pace setup necessary to make noise in here. She comes in off a good runner-up finish behind #1A VIRADIA when that one beat her to the punch. The outside post with two speedsters immediately to her inside makes this Ray Handal trainee very dangerous.
RACE 4: 5-6-8-1
After the way their 8th race winner performed Friday, everything from the barn of John Terranova gets an extra look including #5 CENTRAL PRIDE. He exits a runner-up effort at a mile and appears to be a strong late player here in a race that may have more speed than some might think.
RACE 5: 7-2-1/1A-4
The play of the day is #7 MILTON THE MONSTER, who has run well here at Aqueduct in the past. He has been on the wrong part of the racetrack in a number of recent outings and now figures to get an ideal pace stalking trip under the ultra aggressive Luis Saez.
RACE 6: 3-5-2-1
#3 JULIA SHINING was a head-turning debut winner at Keeneland and looks to be ready to live up to the promise of her pedigree. She’s a full-sister of Malathaat and the added ground will do her no harm. They’re all running for second if she improves even fractionally off of that debut.
RACE 7: 4-2-6-1
#4 ARCTIC ARROGANCE is the one to beat as the main speed on paper given the improvement he showed in the Sleepy Hollow. While #2 TUSKEGEE AIRMEN is likely to be favored, ‘Arctic has a massive pace edge at a trip where it really matters. Should he get clear he’ll likely get brave on the front end.
RACE 8: 7-2-3-10-8
The big worry with #7 DR B is the distance, but she was relentless in running at the eventual winner last time out. She’s given no indication on the racetrack that distance is an issue and her consistency is remarkable.
RACE 9: 7-2-3-4
#7 MIND CONTROL has a big pace edge on #2 ZANDON and will be a better price, so the former is the more interesting bet. He just might be at his best at a mile and he has held his good form for quite some time now. Trainer Todd Pletcher has done exceptionally well in this race and should have this one ready to fire.
RACE 10: 9-1-4-7
#9 GASLIGHT is back on relatively short rest off a solid effort last time out. The outside trip he endured was not ideal and he made the only real off the pace move. The distance should be no issue and he’ll be a square price.
