We interrupt another tackle football Sunday for some exciting Thoroughbred action: There are three stakes on the national simulcast calendar this afternoon, two in New York and one in California, and they comprise our three plays for the day. We expect fast dirt and firm turf in all races; let’s go.
Aqueduct, Race 5, 2;15 pm ET
$100,000 Central Park Stakes, 1 mile, Turf, 2-Year-Olds
The Central Park drew a field of a dozen juvenile turf milers. We like 4-Uncle Truly, who comes off a sharp maiden win on good turf at Woodbine. Look for this son of Uncle Mo to prevail with a forwardly placed trip, sitting just behind pacesetters early, and rolling late. We will play him to win at 4-1. The bet: Aqueduct, Race 5, $40 to win on 4-Uncle Truly.
Aqueduct, Race 7, 3:14 pm ET
$135,000 Forever Together Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Turf, Fillies & Mares 3 & Up
This is the last day of turf racing for the year in New York, so we’ll raise a toast to a long, dark winter as the eight older turf females line up for the Forever Together. The pick is 6-Chili Flag, who has been unlucky in her last few starts, her potent late kick muted by slow early fractions. We think this race will have a robust early pace, which will favor her stretch-running style. Look for Chili Flag to be flying late; we will bet her to win at 7/2. The bet: Aqueduct, Race 7, $40 to win on 6-Chili Flag.
Del Mar, Race 8, 6:58 pm ET
Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes, 7 furlongs, Dirt, 2-Year-Olds
Five go in the Bob Hope. The favorite is 5-Nysos, who will be a very short price, probably something like 1/5, coming off a very fast maiden win. He could certainly win, but we are taking a shot against him, and are doing so with 4-Stronghold, who cuts back slightly in distance after winning a Churchill Downs maiden race, at a mile distance, on October 1. We think that Stronghold, because of his running style and with that longer race under his belt, will finish strongly; the question is whether he will be close enough to Nysos, who should be in front from the start, to catch. We are betting the answer is yes, and will play Stronghold to win at 3-1 odds. The bet: Del Mar, Rce 8, $40 to win on 4-Stronghold.
That’s all for today. Until tomorrow, enjoy the racing, be safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.