AQUEDUCT ANALYSIS – 1/16/25
RACE 1: 5-3-2
#5 LOOKS FIRST is the one to beat off a maiden win for red-hot connections. This filly put it all together to win last time out courtesy of a soft pace and should be in position to stalk and pounce again with the main speed directly to her inside.
RACE 2: 6-4-5-1
#6 CLEAR THE AIR hasn’t been seen since August at the Spa when he won an optional claimer in handy fashion. That ended up being a key race and included subsequent stakes winner Top Gunner as the 3rd place finisher. This race looks like a great fit and he should be in position to stalk and pounce today.
RACE 3: 6-1-2/2B-7
Taking a runner from this barn is often a fool’s errand but #6 GLINT makes too much sense here. He should be rolling late and has found the right class level. The racetrack played against his style last time out but he still ran well and should be a late threat.
RACE 4: 7-5-1-6
#7 RUSSIAN REALM is the most consistent runner in this field and should be in a good spot just off the pace early. He stepped up with an improved effort last time out and arguably has another forward move in him today. The race he ran last out was better than it looks on paper when you factor in the pace.
RACE 5: 8-2-1-3
#8 HAVE YOU HEARD cuts back in distance and should be able to improve on the class drop today. He made a middle move and flattened out last time out, which often portends a desire to cut back in distance. Look for him to lay back and make one run.
RACE 6: 7-3-1-6
#7 WHATCHATALKINABOUT is clearly the one to beat off a narrow miss last time out over this oval. This guy was narrowly outfinished by Locke and Key last time out and will wallop this field. His speed is a major weapon to boot.
RACE 7: 7-4-3-8
#7 PORTOS is a late runner who has elevated his game in his last two starts. He should get some pace to run at this afternoon and can be a factor if things heat up on the front end. Both of the favorites should set the table from a pace perspective.
RACE 8: 5-2-3-4
#5 NILO’S ROSE is fresh off a maiden win and a 60+ day break. She sat just off the pace and powered clear late and now gets Lasix for her 3YO debut. This is a spot where she can flourish given the composition of this field.
RACE 9: 2-6-4-9
#2 CUPRITE debuted way back in October 2023 but faced far tougher competition and ran a bang-up race. She set a fast pace before tiring and now returns off that lengthy layoff. The fact this is her 2nd start as a newly turned 5YO is hardly a great sign, but she should have enough speed to be in the mix from the outset.
