Aqueduct: DRF Plus handicapping report for November 9, 2013

Race 1

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Race 2

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Race 3

Spot Play

BRED TO BOSS (#6, 12-1) had trouble two back and then moved prematurely in that last one, both at Parx; may be overlooked a bit here as he ships back to New York but he's better than he showed in those races and he may be set for his best yet as he makes his third start off the layoff. -Kenny Peck

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Race 4

Live Longshot

MR. ESPRESSO (#8, 8-1) would be ineligible for this dated “beaten” claimer had he won that photo at Monmouth in July. In tight on the turn and passed five rivals in slow-paced return at Parx. -Dave Litfin

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Race 5

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Race 6

Live Longshot

CAT POWER (#13, 15-1) can’t resist taking a shot with this one, as she’s almost certain to be a big price; thought she would go on to big things off two turn debut maiden score, but always seemed to be her own worst enemy during races. In retrospect, she did lose to some pretty good fillies. - Chuck Kuehhas

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Race 7

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Race 8

An apparent lack of pace may give ANJAZ (#2, 5-2) just the advantage she needs to finally get over the stateside hump, as she may be in a position to control the action. She was an unlucky loser last time when trapped inside at a crucial point, so racing clear on the lead should benefit her in this spot.

I wouldn’t leave her off my Pick 4 ticket, but I won’t concede the race to her either, and think she faces a serious rival in the form of AIGUE MARINE (#3, 4-1), who only needs to be ready off the bench. Being trained by one of the guys in this sport who will make you worry less about layoffs is a plus, and she flashed enough potential once arriving here at the end of last year (she ran big to be 2nd in this race as a 3yo, closing strongly from last in a paceless race) to suggest that, assuming all is right with her and she is ready off the break, she may just be better than these horses.

Horses like LEFT A MESSAGE (#5, 5-1) and STRATHNAVER (#6, 3-1) can win, and it is a positive for both of them that they have performed well over this distance in the past, but they are both deep closers and may not be suited by the flow of this race.

One horse I will include as a backup in my play is Bill Mott’s 3yo WHITE ROSE (#7, 10-1). She has to improve a bit, and 1 ½ miles is an unknown, but she didn’t run poorly in a much tougher spot last time despite a wide trip, and as a relatively lightly-raced horse is eligible to be moving forward. - Mike Beer

Spot Play

ANJAZ (#2, 5-2) is winless this year but has kept excellent company, facing some of the top-level turf mares in the country; comes off a second in the Waya Stakes, a productive race, finishing in front of the classy Mystical Star in third. – Byron King

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Race 9

Vulnerable Favorite

FORTIFY (#7, 3-1): don’t see much turf breeding here and it’s an odd spot for 3yo colt who’s done much of his running in graded stakes company on the main track; dicey proposition at underlaid odds. - Chuck Kuehhas

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