Hammersly: Pick four play for Aqueduct on Saturday, Nov. 15

The linchpin for this wager lies in race 7, the featured Red Smith, in which the likely favorite BIG BLUE KITTEN appears a solid single, giving you a chance to spread in the other three legs to find your price.

Race 6: WHATEVERYOUWANT (#6) was a solid second for $65,000 Oct. 9 at Belmont, and the guy who finished two lengths behind him in third, Jet Alley, came right back to win. Then this guy tried straight maidens in the mud Oct. 24 at Belmont but, after dueling, tired to third. The move back in for a tag – it’s still a hefty one at $75,000 – may be just what the doctor ordered. Oh, and he worked very nicely Nov. 8 to show he’s doing well (four furlongs in 47.80 seconds, third fastest of 51 that day).

OVERTHESPEEDLIMIT (#7) comes from the other direction, as the son of Wagon Limit ran on nicely for second in his debut Sept. 25 at Belmont for $40,000. Not only is the hike most encouraging, but that lone run looks better when you note he finished almost 10 lengths clear of third. Like his rival, he signaled his readiness with a smart recent work (four furlongs in 47.60 Nov. 10, second fastest of 40 that day).

IT’S PERFECT TOO (#4) added blinkers Oct. 17 at Belmont and showed more speed and improvement, finishing a sharp second for $40,000, beaten just a neck. Today’s class hike encourages. BERT STONE (#2) showed talent in his lone start Oct. 25 at Keeneland, stalking the pace, surging to the lead into the lane, and holding second for $30,000. He can benefit from that outing and is more than doubled in value. He was well clear of the third finisher that day, too (5 1/2 lengths).

As) 6, 7
Bs) 2, 4
Cs) None

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Race 7: Big Blue Kitten (#4) ranks among the upper tier of turf horses. He was a fine second in the Grade 1 Canadian International, and his connections pre-entered him and considered him for a swing at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf. Instead, they opted against shipping across the country and taking on some of the best turfers in the world. He faces no such foes here, and so long as the turf isn’t soft (he doesn’t care for that), he looks like a solid single. LEGENDARY (#8) gives you a back-up in case you’re either not thrilled with Big Blue Kitten or hope to knock out many tickets by beating him. Legendary has won four of his last five, including a smart performance Oct. 11 in the Grade 3 Knickerbocker at Belmont. It is worth noting his lone loss in that stretch came at the hands of Big Blue Kitten when he was third to that rival, beaten 1 1/2 lengths in a stakes Aug. 2 at Saratoga. But Legendary appears to have improved since and may well cut into, negate, or completely overcome that gap.

As) 4
Bs) 8
Cs) None

Race 8: LEROY JR. (#3) ran by far his best race over this track nearly a year ago when romping by 9 1/2 lengths for a 92 Beyer Speed Figure. He wasn’t seen again until this summer but posted a strong second on turf in his first try against winners at Saratoga and a solid fourth on turf at Belmont. He was freshened, came back to have a troubled start in a race just like this Oct. 25 at Belmont, and ran fourth. A better start can do the trick and surely returning here helps. MIGHTY ZEALOUS (#5) looked good whipping maidens June 8 at Belmont. He hasn’t run since, but trainer Linda Rice is strong off the bench. MAN OF MYSTERY (#4) likewise comes off a big maiden win, though his was just a few weeks ago at Belmont. A bullet four-furlong move Nov. 8 at Fair Hill (48 seconds, best of 31 that day) encourages. SALTINE WARRIOR (#2) has perked up late and may be ready to peak. It’s noteworthy, too, Joel Rosario takes the call, and there’s a snappy four-furlong work Nov. 9 to indicate he’s doing well (48 seconds, fourth best of 65 that day).

As) 3, 5
Bs) 2, 4
Cs) None

Race 9: The big field of maidens may mean this will be where you find your price. CONGRESS PARK (#12) was third, a nose behind today’s rival COSMIC TALE (#2) at this level on the Belmont turf Oct. 10. She can certainly move forward enough to turn the tables. Cosmic Tale, as noted, just edged Congress Park for second that day, and with her speed, she figures prominent from the start – and may stay there all the way around. TEN PENNY PRINCESS (#1) was fourth, not all that far behind the top two in that Oct. 10 outing. She looks back on track after a dull dirt stakes try at Finger Lakes, and it’s nice to see Rosario take the call. He was up for her good third on turf Aug. 15 at Saratoga. BROKEN BORDER (#5) was a bit slow into stride in her debut on turf Oct. 9 at Belmont but ran on well, and any move forward can make her scary.

STOLEN VICTORY (#3) pressed the pace before ending up a well-beaten third in a race washed off the turf here Nov. 2. She handled turf decently her race prior, and the quick turnaround encourages, as does a bullet three-furlong move Nov. 10 (35.20). HOT CITY GIRL (#6) chased the pace in her debut on turf Oct. 9 at Belmont before tiring some to finish fourth. She certainly can have a say with that run under her belt.

As) 2, 12
Bs) 1, 5
Cs) 3, 6