Beer: Aqueduct pick five for Saturday, Jan. 7

Race 1: #6 Chico Grande is the horse to beat as he takes a class drop, and his speed plays in the opener. I don't trust him enough to single him in the pick five and will also use #3 Watch the Tie on a main ticket. Watch the Tie's best race matches up well with that of the favorite, and he was unlucky in his last race when surviving a multiple-horse duel, only to be closed down late.

Race 2: #5 Gorelli will be a short price as he makes his second attempt at this claiming level, as he has all the figures to back him up, but he has disappointed right along in races he easily could have won. Can't leave him off a serious pick-five ticket, but I'm trying to beat him with #4 Starry Messenger off the Steve Asmussen claim. Starry Messengerhas run better than it looks in all three of his main-track starts, and I like him turning back for this after being involved in a pace that fell apart going long last time.

Race 3: In the Ladies Handicap, I like Always On My Mind and will single her. She has improved right along for Todd Pletcher, exits a convincing win over the main track here in November, and may have timed things right entering this race against Wonder Gal (#4), who has never panned out and had no excuse in the Go for Wand last time, and the streaking Highway Star (#1), who may not appreciate the added distance and extra turn she faces in this spot.

Race 4: With plenty of speed signed on for this six-furlong sprint, I am going to try to get stalkers/closers home. #2 Final Chapter, #4 Bustin the Bank, #5 Global Positioning, and #7 Monster Mash will all make the play.

Race 5: My main horse here is #5 Sir Bond, who has been compromised by pace and track bias in his last two starts. His new trainer is low-profile, but he wins races and was 2-for-3 off the claim last year. For backups, I will use whichever half of the entry of #1 Rockford or #1A Saratoga Wildcat runs, along with #6 Alex the Terror.