Three Grade 3 stakes events highlight Saturday’s national stakes action – the $200,000 Red Smith at Aqueduct, the $100,000 River City Handicap at Churchill Downs, and the $100,000 Bob Hope at Del Mar.
River City Handicap
Aqueduct | Race 8 | Post Time 3:47 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up
Race 3: Wild Boar (#1)
Faced a strong field in his debut, as the top two finishers returned to place in stakes.
Ran an improved race last time despite racing wide against a strong rail bias.
Is bred to get better with added distance since his dam was best going long on the turf.
5-2 on ML
Aqueduct | Race 6 | Post Time 3:17 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up
At first glance the four main contenders in this race appear to be pretty difficult to separate. Three of them exit the same race on Sep. 27 in which Plainsman beat them all by a large margin. The winner returned to defeat a tougher group of allowance horses with a strong speed figure next time out.
CLYDE’S PRIDE
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Last race: Nov. 9, 6th
Finish: 1st by 7 1/2
Beyer: 86
First start since June and first since transferring to Hollendorfer, this maiden gelding set a fast pace and romped. Will be tough to beat next out in a California-bred allowance sprint.
SWEET CHARITY
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Nov. 9, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 1 3/4
MO GEE
Trainer: Mark Casse
Last race: Nov. 10, 11th
Finish: 2nd by neck
Beyer: 75
He was blocked behind the leaders early in the stretch before surging late along the inside to just miss when moving up to first-level allowance company.
Aqueduct | Race 8 | Post Time 3:47 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs
Given that the condition of Aqueduct's turf course on Sunday is suspect, I’m going to avoid the surface altogether. I’m planning to focus on two races on the back half of Sunday’s card in Ozone Park – specifically races 7 and 9.
