Hammersly: How I'd play Aqueduct on Sunday, Nov. 2
For those licking their wounds after a busy two days of Breeders’ Cup involvement, the good news is the sun comes up the next day, and there likely are some wagering opportunities to be found. That may be the case here.
Success for me Sunday here likely hinges on my assessment of three key horses on the card. They’re spread out, so they not only can be used for in-race wagers but give you key horses for the various multi-race wagers.
TIZALLHEART (race 4) appears to be sitting on a win. The daughter of Lion Heart rallied well for third on turf Aug. 31 at Saratoga and set the pace and was an excellent second at this level Oct. 5 at Belmont (beaten just a neck) at 37-1. You won’t get that kind of price Sunday, and while she made the running that day, she only did so because no one else wanted the lead, and she set dawdling splits. She tacks on another furlong today, but she’s better with waiting tactics, and she can revert to that style with the likes of Palace Dreams surely much quicker and likely to set the pace.
ENCHANTRESS (race 6) won’t be much of a price in the Grade 3 Tempted, but that doesn’t matter. She still can be your free square for your pick threes and pick six. The daughter of Malibu Moon, who cost a hefty $950,000 at auction, was smashing winning her debut at Keeneland a month ago. It’s nice to see trainer Todd Pletcher not rush her by sending her to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup. She’s worked steadily since, and the one-turn mile appears ideal at this stage of the game.
DOUBLEDOWN AGAIN (race 8) could be your key to the late multi-race wagers, not to mention your key horse on top of the exacta/trifecta. The 4-year-old gelding looked super blasting some nice optional claimers here just four days ago (Oct. 29). He bided his time early and powered home to win in a romp. Not only does that show he’s sharp and that he likes it here (it was his first local try), but trainer Michelle Nevin has had much success making a quick turnaround like this (four for last 12, 33 percent, coming back in a week or less).
Those three give you a foundation, and you can hunt and peck around them to try to find a price for your multi-race wagers.