This is horses for courses weekend. Due to the cold weather coming in after wet and then snow, all of the tracks are very hard with little cushion on top. That led to blistering times yesterday and expect more of the same until the base dries or the rains come. Be on the lookout for horses that have gotten tired in recent races on deep tracks to jump up on these tracks. Some big payoffs yesterday for the savvy bettor that searched some long shots out.
Picks for February 3, 2019:
Cold and dry but with diminishing winds so tight should be the theme.
Aqueduct Race 1
First level allowance for fillies and mares at 8f. Tons of quality here, including the very progressive 2-Pecan Pattie. The filly with the best speed figures to upset that one is 3-New Year’s Wish. A solid trier coming off two straight wins. Mick can’t see any of the others contending.
$10 W/P/S 3-New Year’s Wish
Aqueduct Race 3
NY bred older boys going 6f for a $25K tag. The speed looks to be to the outside with both 6-Blue Belt and 7-Sol the Freud in good form. Amazingly, going with 7-Sol the Freud from the low percentage connections. His last two races were very good and he got beat by a bear last out. In addition, his running style fits on this fast track.
$10 W/P/S 7-Sol the Freud
Laurel Park Race 4
Maryland bred first level allowance for fillies and mares at 6f. Mick gave you the $60+ bomb 6-No More Excuses in her last race but can’t go to the same one here. Instead, look one stall inside for 5-Grace Isabella for super hot trainer Dale Capuano and Eclipse winner Wes Hamilton. Her consistent improvement since arriving off the claim should continue and reward the connections in a race that is lacking in quality.
$10 W/P/S 5-Grace Isabella
Laurel Park Race 6
Handicap for older boys at 6 ½ f. Odd condition and an odd field. Tons of speed and tons of horses that have improved immensely since they qualified for this race. The standout is 2-Correjon who ran a career best speed figure last out. He seems to be a new animal since arriving in Jose Corrales’ barn three back. Stay with the hot hand and hope the speed shown in his last race carries for the final furlong.
$10 W/P/S 2-Correjon
And now for some quickies….
Aqueduct Race 9
Starter $50K for older boys at 6f. Deep field but the hot horse is on the rail. 1-Chateau has looked to be a different horse since making the move to Jason Servis. Look for his win streak to get to 3. Can you imagine this horse was once 0 for 15 and trained by Todd Pletcher?
Laurel Park Race 9
Maryland bred first level allowance for older boys at 6f. It’s between the favorite 6-Taco Supream and 1-Torch of Truth. 1-Torch of Truth was very good off the layoff and should improve in his second start back. A repeat of his last race may be good enough.