AQUEDUCT – 1/21/2024
RACE 1: 4-5-6-1
#4 PREDICTED is the one to beat on a class drop as the main speed for trainer Jeffrey Englehart after showing early foot last out on the mud. He’s now back on short rest and should be dangerous if left alone on the front end. The steady improvement of late is encouraging as well.
RACE 2: 4-1-2-3
#4 TO A T is a late runner who has improved since being claimed by Linda Rice. She was 4th last out in a paceless race where she made two moves losing ground mid-race. There’s not a great deal of pace in here, but jockey Jose Lezcano can keep her more involved in the opening stages.
RACE 3: 1A-4-5-6
The coupled entry from the barn of Rudy Rodriguez is formidable though #1A BUSTIN SHOUT is the better of the two. He was victorious last time out against NY breds and should get a strong pace to run at this afternoon. If he can take another forward move he’ll be impossible to take down today.
RACE 4: 2-4-3
#2 ANTONIO OF VENICE was victorious last time out against stakes company of the restricted variety. He was the offender in the year’s most infamous disqualification yet got away scot-free in a race that has yielded multiple strong subsequent performances. There’s enough pace to set things up here for this likely heavy favorite.
RACE 5: 1-4-5-6
#1 BLUE PLATE SPECIAL is the one to beat on a class drop for trainer John Toscano, Jr. after posting a strong run last out against better. This is a spot where he’ll find the sledding much easier as a heavy favorite. The quicker things go in the opening stages the better for him, especially with an inside post.
RACE 6: 2-6-7-8
#2 CROWN THAT SAINT is one of the choices here off a try against much better last time out. He now gets Lasix and adds blinkers as well. If the equipment changes add to his speed that is a benefit as well.
RACE 7: 3-4-7-9
#3 GRANDPA’S KID is a late runner who got a pace setup last time out en route to a strong third place finish. He should be a big late threat again going a shorter trip and the two races he’s run since being claimed have been vastly improved. If things heat up on the front end it is sure to help this son of Lemon Drop Kid.
RACE 8: 6-8-5-3
#6 CRYPTO MAMA is the one to catch this afternoon for trainer Rudy Rodriguez after making the pace last time out at 9 panels. She tired late, which is understandable given the stretchout, and now returns to the trip that yielded her last win. They’ll have this daughter of Cloud Computing to catch this afternoon.
RACE 9: 7-5-8-3
#7 J D FACTOR is the one to beat for Rick Dutrow, Jr. after finishing a good second behind repeat winner Otello. That one came back to win a stake race in south Florida and this colt is likely to be on the lead today. If he is left alone on the front end then they’ll have a very hard time running him down late.
