Aqueduct: Castellano goes 6 for 7; favorites take first seven races on the card
Favorites were the only thing hotter than Javier Castellano at Aqueduct on Saturday, as post-time choices swept the first seven races, and Castellano won with six of seven mounts.
Castellano was aboard five of the winning favorites, including a $14.60 early double of Coup de Grace ($3) and Jeter ($6.50), and a $23.20 pick 3 of Becky’s Kitten ($6.60), One Red Cat ($2.90), and Watsdachances ($4.20) in races 4, 5, and 6.
After finishing sixth aboard Queen Mercury in race 7, Castellano won the ninth and final race with North Star Boy ($15) to complete a 6-for-7 afternoon.
Castellano’s two other scheduled mounts were scratched. Both were 5-2 morning-line favorites, Clever Story in race 3, and Anjaz in the Long Island Handicap.
“Everything went the right way today,” said Castellano. “I’m very blessed. I’ve been having a wonderful year, winning the Breeders’ Cup [Juvenile Fillies with Ria Antonia] and being the leading jockey at Belmont Park in the spring and fall and at Saratoga. I am so thankful to all the trainers who put so much confidence in me, especially Chad Brown and Todd Pletcher. I hope things continue and that God gives me the strength to be strong.”
It was the 20th time a rider won six races on a card at a New York Racing Association track, either at Aqueduct, Belmont, Saratoga, or old Jamaica.