Aqueduct Turf Season Nears End with Turf Sprint Championship

Aqueduct will run one of its final major turf races of the season as the Saturday feature.

New York will continue running all winter long at the Aqueduct Race Course. However, colder temps mean the turf season will soon be over. The Turf Sprint Championship will be one of the last major turf events for the year.

Saturday Analysis from “the Big A”

Aqueduct Race 1

Post: 11:50 AM ET; Purse: $80,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6

#6 MUNNY BOLT (5-1) barring a horrible turn of racing luck, this one looks really good on paper. It’s always a little nerve-wracking when a horse with this many tangible edges isn’t the clear favorite. Watch the board to verify whether or not this one is ready. #5 INEVTABL CONECTION (8-1) is worth a look here given the class edge and form shown in the previous start. #3 GUN MAESTRO (4-1) could get a perfect pace scenario today. #2 NEVER CHANGE (3-1) makes sense but will have to prove the price is worth it for my liking.

Selections: 6-5-3-2

Aqueduct Race 2

Post: 12:20 PM ET; Purse: $74,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 14

#9 WAR CANOE (6-1) is in a great form and has speed numbers that are competitive here. This is just one of my favorite hard knocking horses. # MARVELOUS MAUDE (3-1) has to be respected based on the connections. #8 CARA’S DREAMER (4-1) is a major player based on speed figures. #3 TIMELESS JOURNEY (9-2) should be competitive today based on the horse’s advantage in overall power rating.

Selections: 9-8-3

Aqueduct Race 3

Post: 12:49 PM ET; Purse: $70,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 15

#2 CITIZEN K (5-2) should be competitive today based on the horse’s competitive speed figures & current form. #7 YARROW (2-1) merits consideration in this spot given the edge in recent class. #1 D’VINICRIS (10-1) is worth a look at the price and is competitive based on figures. #10 DEEP COVER (6-1) is another interesting longshot.

Selections: 2-7-1-10

Aqueduct Race 4

Post: 1:18 PM ET; Purse: $55,000 Starter Allowance, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 9

#9 TEXAS SWING (3-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & stamina. #5 MR. BRIGGS (8-1) is worth a look here given edges in race flow & form. #7 WICKED INDEED (6-1) is worth a look here given edges in pace numbers & power rating. #8 NO BURN (5-2) should be competitive, but is at too short of a price for me.

Selections: 9-5-7-8

Aqueduct Race 5

Post: 1:45 PM ET; Purse: $82,000 Allowance, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 11

#9 WINDFALL PROFIT (4-1) is a major player based on speed figures. #6 DANCINGWTHDAFFODLS (15-1) is a major player in today’s race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including stamina & power rating. If you get 15-1, this one could be a steal. #3 SPORT MODEL (8-1) is an intriguing mid-price horse that shouldn’t be overlooked. #4 EVVIE JETS (7-2) comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future.

Selections: 9-6-3-4

Aqueduct Race 6

Post: 2:14 PM ET; Purse: $80,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 11

#7 CHARLOTTESOMETIMES (15-1) is worth a look here given edges in class & race flow. #4 SEND FOR ME (4-1) should be competitive based on the breeding which can play a major role in these maiden races. # SPLITSECONDSONNY (7-2) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & form. #3 FROSTED WILD RIDE (20-1) is in with a great chance based on the early speed this one may show.

Selections: 7-4-3

Aqueduct Race 7

Post: 2:43 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Central Park S., 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 8

#1 GENERAL KEN (8-5) should be competitive today based on the horse’s advantages in stamina & connections. #5 GRAND SONATA (8-1) is worth a look here given edges in form & power rating. #4 TRUST DADDY (20-1) could get a perfect pace scenario today. #8 WISH ME HOME (15-1) is a major player based on speed figures.

Selections: 1-5-4-8 (Best Bet: #1)

Aqueduct Race 8

Post: 3:14 PM ET; Purse: $150,000 Discovery S., 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 6

#3 SPEAKER’S CORNER (4-5) has a great shot in the race given the advantages in speed & class. #6 MILES D (9-5) is worth a look here given edges in stamina & power rating. #5 VINDICTIVE (8-1) is a likely board hitter at a price. #2 BOURBONIC (5-1) will look to enjoy life after the Derby trail with easier company. This one’s most impressive win came over the Aqueduct dirt last winter.

Selections: 3-6-5-2

Aqueduct Race 9

Post: 3:43 PM ET; Purse: $400,000 Long Island S., 1 1/2 Miles on Turf; Entries: 8

#7 MUTAMAKINA (3-1) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts. #2 ORGLANDES (5-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & connections. #4 LA DRAGONTEA (7-2) should be competitive based on stamina & pace numbers. #6 LUCK MONEY (5-1) is worth a look here given edges in form & power rating.

Selections: 7-2-4-6

Aqueduct Race 10

Post: 4:13 PM ET; Purse: $150,000 Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship S., 6 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 15

#7 VALUE PROPOSITION (5-2) is in with a great chance based on the horse’s advantages in record at the distance & power rating. #3 ARREST ME RED (3-1) has to be respected based on the connections. #6 TURNED ASIDE (6-1) is a major player given the recent speed figures. #11 VOODOO ZIP (15-1) will likely have the stamina to be around at in final stages of the race. I like this one to dink up into the verticals.

Selections: 7-3-6-11

Fall Highweight Stakes on Sunday

The NYRA action doesn’t stop on Saturday. On Sunday, Aqueduct will run the Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap. A handicap race requires different horses to carry different amounts of weight based on their accomplishments. In theory this should level the playing field.

Topping the market on Sunday will be favored Chateau for Rob Atras who has been firing with everything. Kendrick Carmouche will be in the saddle.

He will be joined by Sir Alfred James and Wendall Fong in the field of 8 for the 8th race from Aqueduct.

Betting News Analysis

For analysis and selections for the Fall Highweight and all the other Sunday action at Aqueduct check out the Betting News free handicapping tools. These tools will give you access to insights about speed, pace, and class as well give you win percentages and expert selections for the race.

By Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.