Aqueduct Saturday: Fanklin Square Stakes Analysis

Aqueduct has two stakes races carded for the weekend. On Saturday they will run the Franklin Square for New York breds over 6 1/2 furlongs.

Inside Speed

Race tracks can be funny. Depending on maintenance or moisture there can be huge swings in how a track plays. However, sometimes you will see prevailing track profiles that exist across entire meets.

At Aqueduct’s winter meet this can very often be the case, particularly in the coldest months of winter. Since the turf course shut down, it has overwhelmingly been much better to be on the lead and inside.

If they get rain or snow and the track becomes sloppy, it occasionally will change to an outside closer profile, but Saturday does not appear to set up for those conditions so players would be wise to upgrade horses in post 1,2, and 3 who project to be forward.

Aqueduct Saturday Analysis

Morning line odds for Saturday’s card were not released at the writing of this piece. The numbers in this piece reflect the post position.

Aqueduct does couple entries in certain situations so the numbers in this piece may be incorrect when the official program numbers are released. Players should verify the numbers are correct before placing any wagers.

For morning lines odds and program number verifications check out the Equibase website as the day gets closer.

Saturday Stakes Analysis

Race 8-Franklin Square Stakes

Post: 3:50 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Franklin Square S., 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 9

#2 SHESAWILDJOKER is with a great chance based on the horse's class and inside draw. #9 THINKING IT OVER looks similar on paper to the top pick, but the outside draw puts this one at a significant disadvantage. #6 LEELOO has to be respected based on the connections. #5 MOAM will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race.

Selections: 2-9-6-5

Saturday Full Card Analysis

Aqueduct Race 1

Post: 12:20 PM ET; Purse: $32,000 Maiden Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 7

#6 WHERE'S VAL should be competitive based on the breeding rating which has it tops in this modest field. #4 WAR NOVEL merits consideration in this spot given edges in stamina & record at the distance. #2 MIDASWELLRUN gets the inside draw and has previous speed & pace numbers to suggest this one can take advantage of the good rail. #5 RAISING SAND goes out for solid connections.

Selections: 6-4-2-5

Aqueduct Race 2

Post: 12:50 PM ET; Purse: $28,000 Claiming, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

#3 BELLE TAPISSERIE is with a great chance based on the horse's class & power rating. #6 FAST LOADED is with a great chance based on the horse's record at the distance. #5 GETOFFMYBACK has to be respected based on the connections. #2 CAUSE OF ACTION is a major player based on speed figures.

Selections: 3-6-5-2

Aqueduct Race 3

Post: 1:20 PM ET; Purse: $55,000 Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 7

#3 CUSTOMEREXPERIENCE looks formidable here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class. This one would be a lock if not for the runner 2 spots to the inside.#1 MAKINGCENTS could get a perfect pace scenario today and draws the rail path. #2 BEE BIT will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race. #6 CHARGE ACCOUNT makes sense on figures, but would have to overcome three good runners to the inside.

Selections: 3-1-2-6

Aqueduct Race 4

Post: 1:48 PM ET; Purse: $55,000 Starter Optional Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

#5 TWEAQUED should be competitive today based on the horse's speed figures. #4 OFALLTHEGINJOINTS should be competitive based on the overall power rating which has it tops in the group. #2 ROOSKI looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts. #7 JACRODRA'S DEVIL should have plenty of stamina to wear down the others late.

Selections: 5-4-2-7

Aqueduct Race 5

Post: 2:18 PM ET; Purse: $28,000 Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 9

#3 JERUSALEM GATES should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & power rating. #6 BREAKING STONES is with a great chance based on the horse's connections & early pace numbers. #9 BLAME IT ON BRUTUS would likely be higher up on the selections list if not having to overcome a wide post. #2 MR. FIDGET will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race.

Selections: 3-6-9-2 (Best Bet #3 JERUSALEM GATES)

Aqueduct Race 6

Post: 2:48 PM ET; Purse: $37,000 Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 9

#4 ROMAN EMPIRE has been running top figures of late and looks dangerous here. #6 SUPER JOHN has the top power rating in the group and wouldn’t be a major shock to find the winner’s circle. #8 GREAT WORKOUT has good early pace and has used it against better. Maybe the drop in class allows this one to have something left late. #2 MANDATORY PAYOUT could be the likeliest to find an early inside position.

Selections: 4-6-8-2

Aqueduct Race 7

Post: 3:20 PM ET; Purse: $82,000 Allowance, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

#2 MY ROXY GIRL comes into the race running really solid figures. #6 KEPT WAITING has proven to be good at the 7 furlong distance and should be a major player here. #4 PRIMACY is competitive on paper and is drawn into the middle of the field which isn’t a total death sentence. #3 MADERA should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done. This one is scary if the track continues to plays like Thursday’s card.

Selections: 2-6-4-3

Aqueduct Race 8

Post: 3:50 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Franklin Square S., 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 9

Stakes analysis featured above.

Selections: 2-9-6-5

Aqueduct Race 9

Post: 4:20 PM ET; Purse: $35,000 Maiden Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 11

#1 SILVER SAMURAI has run solid numbers in the starts thus far. #5 VIBE SETTER has breeding to suggest that this one could perform well against this group which lacks any significant bloodlines. #8 MY LAST MISSION and #2 MARTINI MARGARITA both stack up well on paper. The advantage goes to the inside runner who may have the best run of the race.

Selections: 1-5-2-8

Aqueduct Weekend Action

Aqueduct will run cards on Friday and Sunday along with the stakes action on Saturday. For analysis on the other weekend cards, Betting News offers free handicapping tools and selections to help players of all levels solidify for their selections.