AQUEDUCT – 12/15/22
RACE 1: 2-5-1-6
#2 TEKILA looked to have broken her maiden here nearly two years ago before a questionable DQ and is now in as winnable a spot as she’ll ever find. The move to the 30k level should do her no harm given the increased speed she showed last time out and the lack of talent in this bunch.
RACE 2: 5-6-1-4
#5 BANKERS DAUGHTER is back downstate after a start at Finger Lakes for Ralph D’Alessandro. That was a win and she now steps up in class for a barn that has annually done well when wintering at the Big A. This gal has speed and should be prominent from the outset.
RACE 3: 5-3-2-7
#5 BREADMAN drops in class for trainer Randi Persaud third off the claim after facing much tougher last time out. This late running son of Constitution retains Javier Castellano and will be a late player here. Given the connections you’ll get a fair price here.
RACE 4: 7-8-5-6
#7 PARDON MOI is a second time starter who showed some speed on debut while racing on the inside. She should improve with experience and faces a field largely made up of first time starters. What those firsters have to offer is unclear given this time of year.
RACE 5: 7-4-1-6
#7 FORTUNE’S NEPHEW is a second timer who was bet down to 8/5 favoritism on debut back in May. He goes out for a barn that has had a nice resurgence since racing shifted to Saratoga and is the main speed on paper. Look for him to blitz these from the start.
RACE 6: 7-2-1-5
#7 TWO THIRTY FIVE goes third off a claim for trainer Linda Rice after posting two solid efforts since being taken for 40k. He’s back at that level today and should control this race with an ideal outside post. The price will be paltry, but he is a safe Pick 5 single.
RACE 7: 8-9-7-11
#8 CARAMOCHA would have benefited if this field stayed intact as a good bit of pace has been taken out of it. She should be heard from late in this affair and comes in with good recent form. Her dull effort last out has to do with being inside much of the way on a day when being off the rail was beneficial.
RACE 8: 1A-10-9-7
#1A OPPORTUNITY SET did everything but win on debut when 4-1 against a solid MSW field. He set the pace before being collared late in the game and figures to improve at second asking. The presence of stablemate #1 SYSTEMIC CHANGE only makes this pairing a likelier winner.
