Aqueduct, 11-24
Race 1: Surprisingly evenly matched 1 3/8's turf opener... #5 Wine Master is solid, but tough to take favorite in a race like this. #9 Spanish Harlem is 2nd Time out for the re-born Pletcher stable, very dangerous. Longshots #1 The Shaughraun, #2 Exton, and #10 Ambassador Dan all fit with these. Race time decision on which way to go.
Race 2: Favorite #1 Dixieland Star is most likely winner. #3 On With It is former Biancone, now Linda Rice (anybody notice how Biancone's runners are doing in other stables?). #8 Ring Bernadette is eligible to improve 2nd out for Jerkens.
Race 3: Another solid looking ML Favorite, #5 Vacation for Shug, most likely winner. Both halves of the Dutrow entry (1 and 1A) can have an impact.. #9 Mr Shortcake stretches out for Pletcher, very dangerous. #4 Big Stick goes turf to dirt for McLaughlin.
Race 4: Start of the Pick 6, and a wide open maiden affair. #1 Raffies Deer, solid if unspectacular from the rail.. #11 Front Money, goes turf to dirt, figs fit... #12 Biohazzard, fastest coming in, but 12 post makes hitting board more likely than winning.
Race 5: Taking slightly negative view of Buffalo Man and Now a Victor, which leaves us with #1 Shopton Lane, stepping up in company, but very fast since Levine took over, and #3 Helsinki, jumped up 2 starts back, then didn't like Monmouth slop, can return to previous level.
Race 6: Both Jerkens horses are capable of improving stretching out for 1st time, but the top 3 are #2 Expect the End, #5 Sunday Elegance, and #7 Elusive Lady.
Race 7: Very contentious race, but going with #3 Big Truck to bounce back after slight reaction first time stretching out for Tagg. Don't trust the Delaware and Md shippers, and the only drawback for #1 Court Vision is the highweight, 122.
Race 8: #2 Midnite Lute offers no value, but play against at own peril..#5 Daaher is next fastest, but 2 huge races may take it's toll today.. #3 Sir Greeley stretches out 3rd off layoff, could be key for 2nd money. #7 Xchanger looks solid if you draw a line through his Monmouth slop non-effort.
Race 9: Fastest horse coming in is #5 Munition, but ? marks are shortening distance and 1st time Jacobson... #1 In The Spotlight bounced on short rest, yielding turf in last, can improve today. #2 Premier Perfection, layoff & first turf for Pletcher, dirt figs were solid... and I'd be remiss not to mention #10 Trickanometry, a horse I've been following for months, who is off a short-rest bounce.. certainly doesn't stand out in here, but with a little luck, could make some noise.
Pick 6 play:
R 4: 1,12
R 5: 1,3
R 6: 2,5,7
R 7: 3
R 8: 2
R 9: 1,2,5
$72 realistic pick 6 ticket (for me anyway) obviously could go a bit deeper.
Good Luck to all today!
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