LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Although there are plenty of stakes around the country Saturday, the Weekend Warrior finds himself in a Big A state of mind, finding attractive value plays in a trio of stakes at Aqueduct. So, let’s get to it, tackling them in order, with the Demoiselle in race 6, the Remsen in race 8, and the Cigar Mile in the 10th and final race.
Demoiselle
YOSHIDA
Trainer: Bill Mott
Last race: Nov. 19, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 65
One of a pair of first-time starters for Bill Mott in a turf route, Yoshida was at the back of the field early and had to steady just a bit on the far turn before moving outside and finishing up well to get second behind a longshot winner who received a perfect trip.
ASHLEY’S CHARMS
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Last race: Nov. 17, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 2
Beyer: 50
A sibling to Grade 2 winner Ashleyluvssugar, this Cal-bred 2-year-old filly ran well first time out in a turf route. The race was won by speed; she finished well and galloped out with run. Nice debut.
RED CLAY MAGIC
Trainer: Steve Hobby
Last race: Nov. 17, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 3
Beyer: 67
Dueled with a pair of rivals through an insane opening quarter-mile in 21.06 seconds, and after putting away the other front-runners proved no match for the winner while well clear of the rest of the field.
SILHOUETTE
Trainer: Josie Carroll
Last race: Nov. 19, 5th
Finish: 2nd by 2 1/2
Beyer: 59
After awaiting room along the rail over an outside-biased track, she closed nicely to gain second on the wire in her 6 1/2-furlong opener. The daughter of Smart Strike is bred to be a late bloomer and to run long, so she could have a bright future.
Saturday's Aqueduct card features a Pick 6 carryover of $33,789.82. Let's take a look at a few horses to consider in the sequence.
Race 5 - Notebook Stakes
6 - LA CAT WARRIOR (12 to 1 Morning Line, 8 to 1 WIN Value Line)
I won't argue with anyone that considers the Notebook Stakes, the second leg of the pick six, as a deep spread. Several horses look strong and 2-year-olds often improve significantly from start to start.
DEL MAR, Calif. – For the third time at the five-day-old meet, no one hit the pick six Friday at Del Mar, leading to carryovers in both the general pool and the new jackpot pool into Saturday’s nine-race card.
After the weakest handle of the meet on Thursday, the pick six ticked upward on Friday, with $63,404 being wagered. That produced a carryover of $33,871 in the general pool and another $7,258 in the jackpot pool.
Seven weeks ago at Santa Anita, a 2-year-old making his second start unleashed a huge move on the far turn before losing his punch and finishing fifth.
It seemed like an eternity waiting for Swinging Star to run back. Saturday at Del Mar, he finally returns in race 4, a one-mile turf race for 2-year-old maidens.
