AQUEDUCT ANALYSIS – 1/4/2025
RACE 1: 5-2-4-6
#5 NOTMYSTEPPINGSTONE has a pace edge today in search of her first career win in start #3. She should be well clear of this bunch early based on prior performances and now gets Lasix in her first start as a 3YO. If no one tries to run with her early, that will only make her that much tougher to beat in the closing stages.
RACE 2: 1-6-3-2
#1 ABADIN goes first off a claim by trainer Tom Morley after being taken for 25k. The fact that this barn is moving him up in class to be protected from the tag is a positive and shows confidence. The rail draw is not ideal, but this gelding has the requisite speed to be involved from the start.
RACE 3: 4-1-3-2
#4 WINIT has made a nice career for himself in an inferior barn and now goes first off a claim by Rob Atras. He was a good second last out with a strong move from off the pace and should be in position turning for home once again. If he can get out of the gate cleanly, which is always an adventure with this son of Tapit, he’ll be a major player.
RACE 4: 4-6-7-3
#4 ALCALA is in NY for trainer John Kirby off a series of solid efforts against comparable foes in the mid-Atlantic. This barn is 13% in NY over the last five years, good for a $2.66 ROI, so there’s reason to believe she can handle the ship to the Big Apple. If she has the same tactical speed as she’s shown of late that will help as well.
RACE 5: 4-3-8-1
The improvement shown second time out from #4 TAP IT EASY is notable. He now adds blinkers in search of sealing the deal late after coming up just short last time out. Another forward move would make him impossible to beat and these connections will keep the price from drifting down terribly much lower.
RACE 6: 1-6-8-4
#1 MAGNI was a distant second last time out behind a runaway winner and now bids for his first win in career start #4. He has some tactical speed, which will help his cause, and gets a heady pilot aboard who’ll put him in the game early. He needn’t improve from a speed figure perspective in order to get top honors here.
RACE 7: 8-4-5-7
#8 GRANADILLA can upset the heavy favorite here as she looks for a second straight win. This gal sat back off a hot pace and gathered them in late to get the job done at 5/2 last time out. She has the tactical speed to stay within range again as one of the choices today and this barn has been red-hot now for months.
RACE 8: 7-6-8-5
#7 STUDLYDORIGHT figures to get a massive pace setup today as he shortens up in distance off a try in the Remsen. He was a non-threat last time out as he wound up 4th at 4-1 and now returns to the trip that yielded his Nashua victory two starts back. This distane figures to suit him best and the scratch of #8 MCAFEE makes the job a bit easier.
RACE 9: 10-6-8-9
Back to the well with #10 PERFECT FLIGHT, who was 4th last out against a much tougher field in an open 12.5k claimer. He now gets apprentice Christopher Elliott in a spot where he can stalk the pace and pounce when ready. The outside post is ideal too as Elliott has shown some aggression that has helped his mounts of late.
