AQUEDUCT – 4/8/23 (WOOD MEMORIAL DAY)
RACE 1: 6-5-1-4
#6 PATRICK THE GREAT was a good third last out chasing a hot pace while wide on the track. He has enough tactical speed to be involved early and should offer value at the windows if the public makes him the morning line price of 5-1.
RACE 2: 7-6-8-4
Turf season is now in full swing, mercifully, and #7 LADY LAOBAN is an intriguing firster from the barn of Jorge Abreu. She is kin to Lisa’s Vision, a turf sprint winner for this barn and is out of an all turf mare who scored 4 times. This is a weaker field than what she’d meet on this circuit in a few months and, thus, you have to strike while the iron is hot.
RACE 3: 3-2-6-1
The opportunity for an upset here exists with #1 CAPELLA, who is trying dirt for the second time in her brief career. She was a competitive third in the Busher last month after racing along the inside the whole way. That wasn’t exactly the place to be, so she rates to improve with the stretchout in distance and a forwardly placed trip.
RACE 4: 4-3-1-7
#4 LET IT RIDE is a second timer who ran a bang-up race on debut, missing by a head after setting a solid pace. The son of Candy Ride has come back to train forwardly for George Weaver and looks to be the one to catch today. If he can get loose early, he will be very tough to take down today.
RACE 5: 1/1A-4-2-7
There’s no turf form outside of the Chad Brown-trained entry of #1 MONETIZE IT and #1A UTILIZATION RATE. The latter is coming off a solid debut run against MSW company and is the better of the pairing on paper. If she takes any step forward off a promising debut she’ll be tough to handle.
RACE 6: 2-5-7-3
#2 GILMORE moves back to conventional dirt after consecutive tries on the Tapeta at Turfway in recent outings. He began his career on dirt with success and looks interesting from just off the pace coming out of a fast-paced stakes race at Turfway. There’s value to be had here in a race where the favorite is somewhat tough to trust.
RACE 7: 4-3-1-9
#4 EAU CLAIRE is a “fresh” face that looms the best alternative to the Christophe Clement-trained pair on the inside. This daughter of Point of Entry has been in decent form in Florida and has the tactical speed to be a major player. She looks to be a better horse than she was when we last saw her in the northeast late last year.
RACE 8: 4-5-1-2
It looks too tough to beat #4 REPO ROCKS, who is looking to extend a four-race winning streak that includes two scores over this oval. He has been fast in those outings and looks to have held his form nicely for Jamie Ness. While his move forward is a little tough to swallow, it shouldn’t be taken lightly.
RACE 9: 6-2-4-3
The move forward that #6 VERONICA GREENE took in her turf starts last year was notable, including a third place finish in a stake race to cap her season. She’s back off the layoff today and that is really the biggest concern. Her main competition has been running of late and should be formidable given the pace scenario.
RACE 10: 4-5-7-11
In an oddly spotted MSW that precedes the main event, #4 LAKESIDE GETAWAY is the one to beat cutting back in distance. She was last seen chasing a hot pace going a mile before weakening late. This trip should suit her well given the way she ran to begin her career and she’ll be a square price in a bulky field.
RACE 11: 13-5-7-11
Even from a poor outside draw, #13 HIT SHOW is the one to beat. He has enough tactical speed to get over and save ground heading to the turn, especially given how much speed is signed up here on paper. The play is to find the right horses underneath and #5 SLIP MAHONEY and #11 CLASSIC CATCH look like the right late-running candidates.
