Race 5:
Gucci Factor (#5)
His lone turf start was not as bad as it seems, and he’s bred to handle this surface.
Runs his best races when racing on or near the lead, and is projected to be up close to the early pace here.
Christophe Clement gets a 100 TimeformUS Trainer Rating with horses switching from dirt to turf.
5-1 on ML
Aqueduct | Race 6 | Post Time 2:47 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs
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Last week’s Pick was not a bad shot—if the winner of the race had stayed in the barn. Nevertheless, our choices Into the Stars and Boranda did finish second and fourth, respectively, to complete a couple of gimmicks; plus, our suspicion that it could have been a key race may be correct considering the performance of the winner, which was spectacular.
The Claiming Crown always offers full fields and very competitive racing, with horses shipping in from many different venues. This usually results in several races with generous payoffs. It’s a handicapping puzzle at its best and one I look forward tackling each year.
These are a few of The Wizard’s thoughts.
RACE 2: Glass Slipper (one mile)
Race 6:
Rosie P (#12)
Is bred to handle turf, by 13% turf sire Girolamo out of a turf-winning dam who also produced two turf winners.
Only has a couple of potential pace rivals to deal with despite this large field size.
Kelly Breen gets a 94 TimeformUS Trainer Rating with turf sprinters and a 100 Rating when riding Paco Lopez.
30-1 on ML
Aqueduct | Race 3 | Post Time 1:18 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs
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NEW YORK – Saturday finds an ending of sorts at Aqueduct, but a beginning at Gulfstream Park. New York’s last Grade 1 race until April – the $750,000 Cigar Mile Handicap – is the main event on a card at Aqueduct that also includes three other graded stakes. But it’s opening day of the Championship Meet at Gulfstream, where it’s also Claiming Crown Day, and where the fields are so big, you might need a forklift to carry around the past performances.
Cigar Mile Handicap
Race 3:
Fooch (#5)
Likely favorites Switzerland and Tommy T have already had chances at short prices.
Horses have returned from Fooch's debut to run vastly improved speed figures in their next starts.
DRF Formulator Fact: Over the past five years, Wesley Ward is 21 for 50 (42 percent, $2.53 ROI) with maidens returning from layoffs of 180 days or more in sprints.
6-1 on ML
Aqueduct | Race 6 | Post Time 2:47 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs
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Blank Slate
Trainer: Chad Brown
Last race: Nov. 23, 1st
Finish: 1st by 4 3/4
Beyer: 84
Three-year-old filly returned from a long layoff to make her second start, and overpowered a field a maidens in the stretch.
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