Race 1

For a five-horse race it presents some interesting handicapping challenges. Two horses will get most of the action. Phocea at least has shown some success at the mile distance and has a win on the main. She’s been knocking at the door and might get in today. Frostie Annie has been making a living sprinting, but she should have it all her own way on the front and if she doesn’t blow her brains out she may be able to get the distance. Morethanjusthello had a little trouble at the start last out and has spent a lot of her career with better. No surprise if she wins.  6-3-2  

Race 2

Patton Proud was claimed last out for twice today’s price and looks fastest if he runs his best. Bluegrass Chat should be the speed here. He bled in his last, but he’s been given plenty of recovery time and has had success at the 7 furlong distance. Hunt’s Road hasn’t been out since June but Englehart picked a fairly easy spot for his return. More attractive at the odds. 7-5-2  Secondary (1)

Race 3

Another five-horse special. I think you might look for a price since none of the runners is without chances. I’ll look at Princessofthieves at 15-1 ML. She’s got the best last race figure, and she has a win in her lone start on the main. She should be prompting the pace. Riot Worthy has been routing, but has been successful on the main and at the distance. She’s in good condition and certainly would be no surprise. Picco Uno has only one bad lifetime race. She’s the one to beat, but at 4/5 I’m looking to find some value.  1-5-2  Secondary (3, 4)

Race 4

Adirondack Dream ran his best race at this price level two back and switches trainers to the veteran Harold James Bond. Lost all chance when starting awkwardly in his last, and with a clean break he should be a factor. Algorix makes his second start, gets Lasix, and makes a big drop from MSW to claimers. Cournyer was claimed by high percentage claiming trainer Chris Englehart last out, gets first Lasix and takes the shades off. 4-5-8  Secondary (1, 7)

Race 5

Archumybaby made a big leap when moved to the inner and if she continues with current form she could be the value. No Hayne No Gain should be the speed and looks good for Asmussen. Clearly will be tough to beat. Three Eighty Eight is one for one on the main and has the figures to compete in this group.  3-4-2  Secondary (5)

Race 6

Mr Buff looks like one of the speed factors here and he is coming off a good effort with equivalent horses. Dynamax Prime has had issues going wide, but finished close to Mr. Buff last out. Gets first Lasix and that may lead to enough improvement to put him over the top. Toga Challenger jumps up to the one turn mile in his third lifetime start. His first two have been good efforts, and given he has been sprinting  should be the best of the speed. Might be tough to catch.  7-5-1  Secondary (3)

Race 7

Manipulated’s last win came on the AQU main. He was claimed by Jacobson three back and he is placing him at the same level from which he was claimed. He’s got the best last race figure as well. Dr. Shane is an interesting horse. He’s made a few changes since his last out – blinkers come off and he made the ultimate equipment change becoming a gelding. Off his best he’s competitive. Kohlhase should be the speed here and will have to be caught in the stretch.  8-3-4  Secondary (2, 7)

Race 8

Isabelle has been running well with state-bred stakes horses and won a restricted stakes by 12 last out. However, her success has been on the inner and that makes her suspect. Still, if she runs her best she’s the one to beat. Winter comes off two wins in restricted stakes at LRL and hasn’t run a bad race since last September. Mo’ Green ships in from GP where she had been mostly routing, but she certainly has the talent to compete here.   4-6-5

Race 9

Really made a big improvement when dropped to the maiden claiming level and with a repeat performance could be the one. Our Verde is another that ran well with maiden claimers, jumped up to MSW at a mile, and drops back with claimers and a sprint. Looks promising. Miss Pearl drops out of MSW for this run and could be the value.  1-4-8

We’re back on the main, but we still haven’t started getting full fields. Today’s card is full of lower level starter allowances dressed up as stakes races, with mostly small fields. Let’s hope things improve from here.

Race 1

The first is a $16K starter with a mildly competitive six horse field. The top three choices certainly figure the best. I’ll put the longest of the three, Reckless Humor, on top based on the fact that she’s been with better for quite a while – her qualifying race was back last July at Saratoga. She’s had one start over the main, finishing second, but she causes some concern since she’s never successfully negotiated the mile, although it is a one turn mile and she is the best speed. Maddizaskar should go favorite, and is looking for her first win with new trainer David Jacobson. She’s a little more solid at a mile, but 6/5 holds little appeal. Family of Roses has had minor success on the main – 3 seconds in 6 starts – and off her best is competitive here. 5-6-1  Secondary (2)

Race 2

Palladian Bridge is listed at 10-1 on the ML in this $20K starter sprint. She was in great form on the inner, and has a third in her lone start on the main. She excels at the sprint distance and should be in a close position for the stretch run. She’s competitive off her best. Bow Town Cat is a versatile sort, with success on the turf or dirt, and success at the sprint or route. She’s certainly not head and shoulders faster than others in here, and at the odds she looks like a a poor bet. Ring Knocker has 3 seconds in 3 starts on the main, and should pick up the pieces if the race breaks down. However, I’m not sure you can draw a line through any of the starters. 4-1-5  Secondary (2, 6)

Race 3

In this $40K starter at 7 furlongs it looks like the ML favorite, Story to Tell, has the best chance to win. She is the clear leader on pace figures, but she is a little inconsistent in finishing races. Foreset and Eye Luv Lulu both have reasonable chances if the favorite doesn’t finish. 3-1-5

Race 4

Praetaro last raced for the $25K starter price last September, winning that race easily. He’ll be coming from off the pace, and unless the leaders get away easy he should be moving best in the lane. Do Share has been in top form on the inner, has good speed and   has a decent third in his one start on the main. Still, he hasn’t been the mile and unless the track favors speed, he’ll have to be at the top of his game to keep the top choice at bay. Bluegrass Prevails gets the nod over Saratoga Wildcat for the show.  6-3-2

Race 5

In one of the fuller fields of the day, I’m going to give the nod to the best of the speed, Gambler’s Ghost.  He comes of a win at $25K for new trainer Gary Gullo and has been able to string good efforts together. Has to be in the picture in the end. Bass River Road  has a pair of wins in seven starts on the main, and has won half his starts at this sprint distance. Formal Summation has been consistent at the low claiming levels, and at 12-1 ML may be worth some play in the exotics.  7-4-1  Secondary (9)

Race 6

Chorus Line has the top figures in the filed and since breaking her maiden for $20K has been racing with much better, Not much value, but looks tough to beat. Mama Joyce is working on a three race win streak and has been active at the claiming box. Contessa is not renowned first off the claim, but this horse looks live. Tahoe Tigress  goes first time for Jeremiah Englehart. The horse has had good success on the main and at the 7 furlong distance. Could be the value.  3-5-1  Secondary (4)

Race 7

In another starter sprint for horses that have started for a bottom price, I’m looking for a price, so I’ll go with Midnight Champagne, 10-1 on the ML. Her last race was a big improvement over the three before that, and she’s shown that she can take a field gate to wire. It’s been a long while since she ran at the level that qualified her for this race, and her three wins in a row in 2016 would beat anything in the field today. Worth some consideration. Da Wildcat Girl hasn’t run a bad race since the fall and has been very well handled by Edward Barker. She’s 3 of 6 on the main and will have to win this race from off the pace. Call Her Karma ships up from GP, and comes off a nice second in a restricted stakes. I’m a little wary of GP shippers and she is 0 for 8 at the distance, but she fits the conditions well and seems to be in good shape.  3-4-1  Secondary (5)

Race 8

In the feature race of the day at one lap around the main oval, again the favorites look strong, although it’s hard to make any horse a quick toss. Stormin Monarcho may be 0 for 4 on the main, but he does have two seconds and a third, and has been running very well of late. He’s won 2 of 3 since switching trainers to RuRod and looks to be the one to catch. Fox Rules is another one with front-running ability and hasn’t finished worse than second in his last 7 races. Figures are very consistent. Hard Study is only making his sixth start for Todd Fletcher. Rapidly improving horses that started late can turn out to be any sort, so if the odds are right he may be worth using.  4-5-3  Secondary (1, 6)

Race 9

This may be the most competitive race of the day, with ten starters and no real stickout. The last time Riverdate was on the main he peeled away from the field for a ten length win at today’s distance. He’s raced against much better since then and has more than held his own and has proven he can clear the field from the rail. Main speed in a race without a ton of front runners. Becker’s Galaxy has been competitive in state-bred stakes with better price horses than this group and has a win and a second in two starts over the main. Very consistently in the money at this distance. Battle Midway has had good success at this distance on the main, and ran a bang up race again NW1X horses in February. Will have to rely on his closing kick if he expects to get a piece. 1-7-5  Secondary (2, 9)

Race 1

• 2  Street Heat

• 6  Charming Indy

• 7  Ballivor

• Secondary (1)

Race 2

• 7  Noneedtoflatterme

• 2  Bunyaan

• 5  Mister Hayes

Race 3

• 2  Zealous Scholar

• 4  Ingrid

• 3  Overnegotiate

Race 4

• 4  High End Lady

• 2  Jeanjeannie

• 6  Tannery Row

• Secondary (3, 5)

Race 5

• 3  Point Hope

• 1  Readthebyline

• 6  Big Discovery

• Secondary (7)

Race 6

• 10  Honor and Pleasure

• 9  Control Group

• 1  Undercover Agent

• Secondary (4)

Race 7

• 8  Driving Me Crazy

• 5  New York’s Zip

• 4  Two Times Book

• Secondary (1)

Race 8

• 5  Smile Big

• 6  Say Cin Cin

• 1  Perina’s Pride

Race 9

• 2  Lady’s First

• 8  Melodramatic Miss

• 5  You Lucky Dog

• 1/1A  My Jelly Bean/U Do That

• Secondary (7, 10)

Race 1

• 2  Kissing Cassie

• 1  Woundwithhereyes

• 6  Keeper of the Bees

• Secondary (3)

Race 2

• 3  The Undersheriff

• 6  Smart Russian

• 1  Schout Bay

Race 3

• 4  Sounds Delicious

• 3  Tiz Rae Anne

• 5  Bluegrass Flag

Race 4

• 10  Omato

• 1  T R Royal

• 2  Balac

• Secondary (11)

Race 5

• 4  Papa Shot

• 3  Cause I’m Alex

• 1  James Lane

• Secondary (2)

Race 6

• 5  Draxhall Woods

• 4  Saratoga Wildcat

• 1  Marble Falls

• Secondary (6)

Race 7

• 6  Dogtown

• 1  Planet Trailblazer

• 3  Bene

• Secondary (5, 7)

Race 8

• 4  Candid Desire

• 5  Loki’s Vengeance

• 1/1A  Eye Luv Lulu/Drama King

• Secondary (2, 6)

Race 9

• 10  Ben and Jiggy’s

• 12  This Bird Can Sing

• 11  Posse in the Raw

• Secondary (1, 3, 5, 9)

Doesn’t look like Aqueduct’s best card. Perhaps the best opportunities occur late.

Race 1

• 6  Mo Focused

• 1  Cournoyer

• 2  Flux Capacitor

• Secondary (4)

Race 2

• 4  Indycott

• 1  River Date

• 2  Kid Cruz

• Secondary (5)

Race 3

• 2  Miss Meteor

• 4  Morethanjusthello

• 1  Laskeside Sunset

Race 4

• 2  Perina’s Drive

• 4  Madison Blues

• 3  Rahy’s Bandit

• Secondary (6)

Race 5 

• 3  Play Me a Memory

• 5  Bee Noteworthy

• 4  Midnight Champagne

Race 6

• 2  Ristotheoccasion

• 4  Rich ‘n’ Tuck

• 3  Gentrify

• Secondary (6)

Race 7

• 4  No Texting

• 3  Taoiseach

• 6  Groupthink

• Secondary (1)

Race 8

• 3  Clairvoyant Lady

• 4  Luna Rising

• 1  Banty’s Girl

• Secondary (5, 6)

Race 9

• 2  Casigordo

• 7  Source Control

• 1  We Were Kings

Race 1

• 5  To the Victor

• 3  Marriage Fever

• 7  Derby Glass

• Secondary (2, 4)

Race 2

• 5  Downtown at Noon

• 9  Holiday Disguise

• 10  Miss Sizzle

• Secondary (3, 4)

Race 3

• 5  Never Gone South

• 2  Classy Class

• 3  Life in Shambles

Race 4

• 2  Cat’s Landing

• 3  Alerta

• 6  Chosen One Elijah

Race 5

• 4  Curious Cal

• 1  Portfolio Manager

• 7  Do Share

• Secondary (3)

Race 6

• 2  Cinderela El Croma

• 4  Breeze Burner

• 5  Two Charley’s

• Secondary (7)

Race 7

• 2  Stormin Monarcho

• 3  Mr. Palmer

• 7  Testosterstone

• Secondary (5, 6, 8)

Race 8

• 5  Hot City Girl

• 2  Disco Chick

• 3  Clothes Fall Off

• Secondary (7)

Race 9

• 8  Lynnie B

• 5  Bracken Belle

• 6  Sicilia Connie

• Secondary (3, 4)

Race 1

• 4  Melodramatic Miss

• 7  Paris Moon

• 5  Secret Eden

Race 2

• 5  Verdant Pastures

• 3  Cha Cha Heels

• 1  Peaches and Spice

• Secondary (2, 4)

Race 3

• 5  Glenrichment

• 2  Archimedes

• 3  Robbins

• Secondary (1)

Race 4

• 2  Jemmabelle

• 4  Sabrina Ballerina

• 5  Hold on Momma

• Secondary (7)

Race 5

• 1A  He’s Cheeky

• 3  Emotion

• 8  Bunyaan

Race 6

• 5  Dad’z Laugh

• 3  Mewannarose

• 6  Rockford

Race 7

• 7  Nobody Move

• 2  Lord Commander

• 5  In Equality

• Secondary (6)

Race 8

• 2  Flick of an Eye

• 1  Doukas

• 6  Storm Petrel

• Secondary (5)

Race 9

• 6  Bustin It

• 1/1A  Crafty Concorde/Readyheartandsoul

• 7  Bluegrass Prevails

• Secondary (2, 10)

Race 10

• 8  Bear She Goes

• 6  Promise Me Tiz

• 7  My Ekati Cat

• Secondary (3, 5)

Race 1

• 3  Tasunke Witco

• 7  Risetotheoccasion

• 1  Gambler’s Ghost

• Secondary (5, 6)

Race 2

• 4  Royal Ridge

• 8  Balac

• 3  Southern Gentlemen

Race 3

• 6  Genre

• 3  Highway Star

• 4  Isabelle

• Secondary (2)

Race 4

• 7  This Bird Can Sing

• 5  Fair Regis

• 3  Quincy Girl

• Secondary (6)

Race 5

• 3  Mr. Curiosity

• 6  Detifoss

• 2  Too Wild to Repent

Race 6

• 7  Going Strong

• 2  Bene

• 3  Shuffle Up

• Secondary (4, 5)

Race 7

• 1/1A  Story to Tell/Still Krz

• 5  Vorticity

• 3  Furyofthenorsemen

• Secondary (2, 4)

Race 8

• 4  El Areeb

• 8  So Conflated

• 6  True Timber

• Secondary (1, 9)

Race 9

• 1  Smart Russian

• 8  Dan the Man

• 2  Storm the Shore

• Secondary (9)

Race 1

• 5  Resilient One

• 1  Morethanjusthello

• 2  Nordic Bird

Race 2

• 7  Awesome News

• 2  Tahoe Tigress

• 5  Katie Ice

• Secondary (1)

Race 3

• 1  Congaree Drive

• 4  Summer of Joy

• 2  Shesmyheartandsoul

• Secondary (3)

Race 4

• 5  Miss Emily’s Smile

• 4  Jeanne’s Speight

• 2  Bigkat and Camille

• Secondary (7)

Race 5

• 4  Risetotheoccasion

• 3  Patton Proud

• 2  Skill Not Luck

• Secondary (6)

Race 6  

• 1  Cosi Bella

• 3  Liam’s World

• 9  Ouro Verde

• Secondary (4)

Race 7

• 6  Pax in Terra

• 5  Bellamy Way

• 2  Pretentious

• Secondary (1)

Race 8

• 4  Tribecca

• 1  Millica

• 7  Blue Belt

• Secondary (3, 6)

Race 9

• 9  Quasney’s Angel

• 11  Moneybrook

• 6  Dean’s Ticket

• Secondary (4)

Race 1

• 4  All About Ashley

• 5  No Texting

• 3  Onecats Chance

• Secondary (2)

Race 2

• 3  Expect Wonderful

• 5  Downtown  At Noon

• 1  Zealous Scholar

Race 3

• 3  Papa Shot

• 6  Vincento

• 2  The J Y

• Secondary (4)

Race 4

• 5  Benny Big Boy

• 7  Crawfish Shorts

• 1  Flux Capacitor

• Secondary (3)

Race 5

• 1  Alright Alright

• 4  Do Share

• 7 Divine Interventio

• Secondary (5, 6)

Race 6

• 6  Thirtydaysinjune

• 1  Majestic Lassie

• 4  Quanique

Race 7 

• 7  I’m In

• 5  Pursuer

• 9  No Entiendo

• Secondary (3)

Race 8

• 9  Bride Street

• 5  Full House

• 3  Yorkiepoo Princess

• Secondary (4, 7, 8, 10)

Race 9

• 11  New York Burden

• 6  City Trapper

• 12 Anna Theresa

• Secondary (2, 7)