It's Maryland Million Day at Laurel, where it's fast and firm. The midcard pick four features races with apparent singles in the first and final legs, but perhaps there's some value to be had by going deep in the middle legs.
I’m most interested in horses that should be coming from off the pace. The one to fear is We Should Talk, who won his debut impressively in fast time, and goes out for a dangerous barn. I’ll be using him, but my top pick is Big Gemmy.
TimeformUS handicapper David Aragona highlights some contenders on Saturday's card at Belmont.
Some deep, contentious races make Saturday’s pick five at Keeneland daunting. That said, a 3-year-old filly in a tough turf sprint could prove key, while spreading in the inscrutable Grade 2 Raven Run may snag you a price.
Besides a competitive renewal of the Grade 3 Dowager (race 8), the nine-race Sunday card at Keeneland offers some interesting opportunities. My main play will focus on a first-time starter, ANTARCTIC, who has been working very well in the mornings and appears to have found a relatively soft maiden special weight race for his debut in race 7.
I’m going to keep things simple on this lovely fall Saturday in New York and look to play an early pick three starting in race 3.
TimeformUS handicapper David Aragona provides his Highlight Horse for Friday's card at Belmont Park.
Trip handicappers looking to get started on their Breeders' Cup note-taking and opinions need not wait until entries for the races are drawn. There is plenty of time to gain visual observations of horses being pointed toward the Breeders' Cup if one knows where to look: YouTube.
Keeneland's Grade 2, $250,000 Lexus Raven Run Stakes is the only graded event on Saturday's stakes schedule. Otherwise, it's state-bred day, with the Empire Showcase at Belmont; the $100,000 California Flag as the headliner at Santa Anita; and the Maryland Million program at Laurel.
TimeformUS handicapper David Aragona provides his Highlight Horse for Thursday's card at Belmont Park.
