AQUEDUCT 2/5/23
RACE 1: 5-1A-2-3
#5 BALPOOL is a second time starter who showed some life on debut and will improve with experience. The outside post will facilitate a pace stalking trip and the competitive nature of this field will lead to her being a nice price.
RACE 2: 3-1/1A-2-4
It may have been the slop, but #3 TEKILA finally put it all together to win last time out. She is back against winners and should be a pace factor today at the very least. Why not land here in a race where the experienced runners lack appeal?
RACE 3: 4-5-1-3
#4 GIRL TROUBLE has been very sharp in three straight outings for trainer Butch Reid and will be tough to beat if those efforts are duplicated. She has speed but can also stalk the pace in the opening stages.
RACE 4: 1-5-6-7
#1 SYNTHESIS is the stronger half of the entry trained by David Jacobson. He is in form at the moment and fits nicely here class-wise. The pace will have to materialize a bit for him to make noise late though.
RACE 5: 7-6-1-3
#7 DARK STORM is a major player here second off a layoff dropping in class for trainer Mertkan Kantarmaci. He fits well here and was against the grain of the racetrack in his last start. The tactical speed he possesses is a weapon in this field.
RACE 6: 3-2-6-7
#4 JOHN’S PROTÉGÉ is interesting off a claim for trainer Chris Englehart. He worked sharply since his last start and wound up chasing the pace before tiring that afternoon. The move up in class is encouraging off the claim and this gelding will be a square price.
RACE 7: 3-6-2-4
#3 WINIT has had a hard time getting out of the gate in recent starts but is clearly the one to beat today. The distance might be beyond the scope of the morning line favorite, which gives this son of Tapit an edge. He excels at a mile or more.
RACE 8: 6-5-4-7
#6 WINNERS LAUGH drops in for a tag for the first time and trainer Horacio DePaz is 5 for his last 17 with dirt starters racing for tags for the first time ($2.56 ROI). This gelding is quick enough to be involved early and should be in a better early position with a cleaner break from the gate.
RACE 9: 7-5-2-6
#7 WRITER’S REGRET was a good second last out while wide on the course on a day where saving ground was essential. He can improve here second off a layoff and the price here will be appealing.
RACE 10: 1-2-7-4
#1 VALLELUJAH was a good second last time out against similar foes and was wide on the course. Saving ground was helpful that day and this filly should be in a good spot saving ground today.
