Aqueduct | Race 8 | Post Time 3:55 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

Aqueduct | Race 2 | Post Time 1:21 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

Nice to see our Pick last week, Conquest Day, lose support as the 9-to5 morning line favorite to one of our gimmick plays, Ikeisgreat. That’s because Conquest Day pummeled his field at Tampa and paid $6, while even-money Ikethegreat completed a nice $25 trifecta for half a buck. Overall it was a fairly quiet week on the BreezeFigs front with five additional newly-turned sophomores breaking their maidens at Aqueduct, Gulfstream (two), Laurel (BreezeFigs exacta), Parx and another at Tampa Bay.

You could say there isn’t a lot to choose from on the North American stakes-handicapping front this Saturday, Jan. 11, but that’d be saying too little.

Santa Anita and Gulfstream both have a pair of Grade 3’s, but even the three grass races among this quartet of stakes failed to attract full fields, and somehow the Las Cienegas drew only five entrants.

I’m not close to loving any of these three selections and none will be any sort of price to write home about, but hopefully a modest profit can be cooked up from meager ingredients.

Tropical Turf

Aqueduct | Race 5 | Post Time 2:55 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

Each week in this space, the top Beyer performances by maiden winners will be featured and analyzed.

Afternoon Heat

Jan. 5, 2nd race, Santa Anita, MdSpWt55k

Beyer: 82
6 1/2f, 1:16.79
ch. c. 4, Unusual Heat-Meredith Bee, by El Corredor
Owner: Robert J. Vanderdussen
Trainer: Steve Knapp
Breeder: Liberty Road Stables (Cal.)

BOOGALUTE

Trainer: Mike Puype

Last race: Jan. 1, 7th

Finish: 3^rd by 3 1/4

Beyer: 76

Recently improved with blinkers and speed, had no shot when hopped as gates opened. Broke last, evenly thereafter. Follow in upcoming dirt route, will be realistically placed.

Grade 3, $100,500 Sham Stakes, one mile, Santa Anita, Jan. 4, 2020
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Authentic, by Into Mischief
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Drayden Van Dyke
Owners: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Fred Hertrich III, John D. Fielding, and Golconda Stables
Beyer Speed Figure: 90

Jan. 4

Gulfstream
Kitten’s Joy (race 7)

Aqueduct | Race 7 | Post Time 3:25 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up