Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial, 1 1/8 miles, Aqueduct, April 6, 2019
(100 Derby qualifying points for a win, 40 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth)
Winner: Tacitus, by Tapit
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Owner: Juddmonte Farms
Beyer Speed Figure: 97
Grade 1, $1 million Santa Anita Derby, 1 1/8 miles, Santa Anita, April 6, 2019
(100 Derby qualifying points for a win, 40 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth)
Winner: Roadster, by Quality Road
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
Owner: Speedway Stable LLC
Beyer Speed Figure: 98
Aqueduct | Race 7 | Post Time 4:42 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up
Here is my take on the late Pick 4 at Keeneland on Sunday, where two graded stakes – the Beaumont and Appalachian – are a part of the sequence. Below are my race-by-race thoughts and TicketMaker wagering strategy, provided rain on Sunday does not result in any of the scheduled turf races being moved to the main track. Wet weather is in Central Kentucky forecast.
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Race 6
Aqueduct | Race 8 | Post Time 4:47 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up
Race 6: Team Win (#3)
Can use her early speed to her advantage in a race where her two main rivals are deep closers.
Improved on a sloppy track last time, which is sometimes indicative of turf ability.
DRF Formulator Fact: Over the past 5 years, Todd Pletcher is 30 for 118 (25 percent, $2.69 ROI) with maidens switching to turf for the first time.
10-1 on ML
A tremendous day of racing is on tap Saturday at Santa Anita, highlighted by five graded stakes races including the G1 Santa Anita Derby and G1 Santa Anita Handicap. There would appear to be solid favorites in each of the graded stakes races and they’re likely to be rather short prices. Below are horses worth considering either as alternatives to use against the favorite or underneath in exotic wagers.
RACE 3 – SANTA ANITA OAKS
Race 6: Mind Control (#3)
Is getting some class relief out of the Gotham.
Should appreciate the slight turnback in distance to seven furlongs.
Ignoring the Breeders’ Cup, he has improved with each start and will beat this field if he steps forward again.
2-1 on ML
Santa Anita | Race 8 | Post Time 7:14 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up
