Aqueduct: DRF Plus handicapping report for April 19, 2014

Race 1

Closer Looks >>

Race 2

Closer Looks >>

Race 3

Closer Looks >>

Race 4

Spot Play

OGHMA (#1, 3-1): Claimed from a tough-trip third in the mud three weeks ago, and now switches back to turf, where his last start was a wide journey from post 11 on this course last fall – without Lasix. --Dave Litfin

Closer Looks >>

Race 5

Closer Looks >>

Race 6

Live Longshot

CANARSIE KID (#3, 20-1) is worth a shot if he's anywhere near his 20-1 ML on the strength of a couple of really nice works, and a barn which wins at a high rate with firsters; using in all slots. -Kenny Peck

Closer Looks >>

Race 7

Spot Play

With lots of speed signed on it seems likely this one will set up for a closer, and QUICK MONEY (#10, 5-1) may have the best late kick of them all; capable of paying quick dividends in his first start off the claim. -Kenny Peck

Closer Looks >>

Race 8

Distaff Handicap by Mike Beer

The six-furlong Distaff Handicap (Grade 2) brings together an interesting mix of female sprinters, and features the return of KAUAI KATIE, who hasn’t been seen since disappointing as a heavy favorite in Saratoga’s Grade 1 Prioress last July. Taking away the two times they tried to stretch her out in distance (both in Grade 1 company), Kauai Katie has won 6-of-7 career starts in much the best fashion, and it must be assumed that something went wrong with her in that flat Prioress effort, which led to the long layoff. If she returns at her best, a pretty big “if”, she may simply be better than her competition here.

One thing the Distaff in not lacking for is pace. With speedy New York-bred LA VERDAD drawn to the rail, MUNNINGS SISTER, a gate-to-wire winner over 5.5 furlongs at Gulfstream in her 5yo debut, and pace setter in the Grade 3 Las Flores at Santa Anita last out in post 4, and Kauai Katie outside of them, there is the potential for a battle up front, and that may have players looking for the closer. The one most may land on is MY PAL CHRISY, a consistent if unspectacular 6yo mare trained by the always dangerous Marty Wolfson. My Pal Chrisy will be looking for her first graded stakes win as she makes her 47th career start, and maybe this is the right spot with the right pace set up, but I am not thrilled with her as a win candidate in this Distaff, especially if her off-the-pace profile leads to a short price.

The horse I’ll try to get home is BRIDGEHAMPTON, a lightly raced Bernardini filly trained by Mike Hushion. After letting go of a clear stretch lead in the Grade 3 Victory Ride last summer, Bridgehampton went to the sidelines, and didn’t return to the races until March 23rd, where she defeated allowance foes in virtual wire-to-wire fashion. I like that she has that effort under her belt, as she seemed to be a little fresh returning from that long layoff while pulling her rider up to the lead despite strong restraint, before finally just going on with it and rolling clear. She weakened a bit late, which I’ll take as a good sign for her fitness level, and hope that she can be more relaxed here with that race taking some of the edge off.

Bridgehampton is listed at 10/1 on the morning line, a more than fair price on her, and is worth a win bet at a couple of points lower. I’ll also play her in the exacta with Kauai Katie.

Closer Looks >>

Race 9

Closer Looks >>