Aqueduct | Race 4 | Post Time 1:02 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs 

Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up now

I’ll take an immediate swing at the fences on “get out day” at Del Mar by playing the early pick five. Here’s the layout:

Race 1: Trying just to get alive, Encountress (2) makes her first start for a claiming tag as a mild upset threat to the deserving favorites, One Upper (3) and Token Vow (4).

Race 2: Powder (5) is the likely favorite when making her fourth start for a different outfit from her last five starts, but this spot demands more coverage by way of Sunrise Royale (1), Venue (6), and Coco Kisses (7).

The $1 Stronach 5 on Friday paid $4,777 after late-running longshot Premium Forest was up in time to win the final leg, race 3 from Golden Gate Fields. There were 69 winning tickets.

The first four races were the 8th and 9th races from Laurel Park, race 2 from Golden Gate, and race 10 at Laurel.

The winners were Home Run Maker ($6.20), Ghoul's Night Out ($3.40), Hank the Tank ($13.60), Tri Poker ($6), and Premium Forest ($35).

The $1 parlay of the winners was $1,881.

Race 4: Filly Joel (#3)

Projects to sit a good stalking trip in a race that does not feature an abundance of early speed.

The 102 TimeformUS Speed Figure that she earned in her maiden victory is the highest in the field.

Rudy Rodriguez’s runners have been performing very well in recent weeks.

7-2 on ML

:: Get TimeformUS PPs for these races at Aqueduct

Aqueduct | Race 7 | Post Time 3:17 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs

Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up now

Just Say Mo just said no to running at all as our Pick last week embarrassed us, and I am sure her connections. Still, it was a very good week for BreezeFigs maidens with 13 of them crossing the line on top at eight tracks with a number of BreezeFigs gimmicks.

Race 1: Monteleone (#3)

Ran competitively at this level during the winter and spring before going off form.

It’s a good sign that Linda Rice brings him back in a protected spot off the claim.

DRF Formulator Fact: Over the past five years, Linda Rice is 20 for 74 (27 percent, $2.82 ROI) off 90- to 180-day layoffs in dirt sprints at NYRA.

10-1 on ML

Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, 1 1/16 miles, Churchill Downs, Nov. 2, 2018
(20 Derby qualifying points for a win, 8 for second, 4 for third, 2 for fourth – CQ; the chart on the RTTD page has incorrect point values)

Winner: Game Winner, by Candy Ride
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Owner: Gary and Mary West
Beyer Speed Figure: 93

Aqueduct | Race 8 | Post Time 3:47 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs

Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up now

Saturday is Cigar Mile Day at Aqueduct, meaning it’s the last really big day of major stakes racing in New York for several months. The Grade 1, $750,000 Cigar Mile heads a card that also includes the Grade 2 Remsen, the Grade 2 Demoiselle, and the Grade 3 Go For Wand Stakes, each worth $250,000.

It’s closing weekend of the Del Mar fall meet and the Saturday headliner is the Grade 1, $300,000 Hollywood Derby. Saturday is also opening day of the Gulfstream Park Championship meet with the popular Claiming Crown series of races, led by the $200,000 Jewel.