Aqueduct: DRF Plus handicapping report for November 29, 2013

Race 1

Closer Looks >>

Race 2

Closer Looks >>

Race 3

Live Longshot

VELVET CAP (#4, 12-1): Hard used in a pace duel with the 8-5 favorite at a mile last out, and two prior starts for present connections were on turf. His nose loss at today’s six furlongs four races ago ranks among this group’s best efforts. --Dave Litfin

Closer Looks >>

Race 4

Closer Looks >>

Race 5

Closer Looks >>

Race 6

Closer Looks >>

Race 7

Closer Looks >>

Race 8

Closer Looks >>

Race 9

Go For Wand Analysis

The Grade 2 Go For Wand has the kind of wide-open feel to it that makes it seem that all seven of the fillies & mares likely to start (#8 Executiveprivilege is expected to scratch after not being shipped from California by Bob Baffert) have a legitimate chance to land in the winners circle.

The ML favorite is MY PAL CHRISY (#1, 3-1) who ships up from Florida on a three-race win streak for her new connections. She is no superstar, but doesn’t need to be in this field, and her rock-solid career record of 11 wins and over $700k in earnings looks even stronger when compared to the second choice on the morning line, CENTRING (#2, 7-2) who is 2-for-14 lifetime, and enters the Go For Wand off of a monumental hang-job as a heavy favorite a month ago.

I’ll try to beat the two favorites with WILLET (#5, 8-1), who narrowly missed in this race last year after a strong effort in the Iroquois Stakes, which is restricted to NY-breds, and repeats that pattern again, having run a dead-game second to the undefeated sprinter Cluster of Stars in this year’s Iroquois. The other horse I’ll use in the race is STREET GIRL (#4, 6-1), the lone 3yo in the field, who gets a trainer change to Eddie Kenneally after taking a shot in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. I’m still not sure what her best game is, as she has run well going longer, but put forth her best career effort when a wide closing 4th in the Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga, so perhaps the one-turn mile will suit her well. I think she has ability and is still improving, and she should be a price. - Mike Beer

Closer Looks >>

Race 10

Closer Looks >>