Aqueduct Saturday: Gotham Stamps Another Derby Ticket

The Gotham Stakes from Aqueduct will end the Saturday Card. The race is one of four Kentucky Derby prep races to be run across the country on Saturday.

Gotham Stakes

Aqueduct Race 10

Post: 5:27 PM ET; Purse: $300,000 Gotham S., 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 10

• #10 ROCKEFELLER (4-1) should be able to ration out the speed well in this spot to get the mile. I like the runners this one has faced in previous starts.
• #5 DEAN'S LIST (7-2) is in great form and is proven over the mile distance
• #4 FROMANOTHAMUTHA (6-1) has some of the best speed figures in the group and with the inside-most draw of any of my selections, may have a tactical advantage.
• #9 MORELLO (3-1) has the early speed to get to the front. If the track is playing to that style this one could be tough.

Selections: 10-5-4-9

Saturday Undercard Analysis

Aqueduct Race 1

Post: 12:50 PM ET; Purse: $80,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

• #4 EVERESTING (10-1) goes out for a solid barn and has hit the board at this distance. I like an upset here but will be hesitant to play too heavily if this one isn’t taking money on the day.
• #5 SCHERZANDO (8-1) could get a perfect pace scenario today.
• #7 DISCO PHAROAH (8-5) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done.
• #1 SINFUL DANCER (2-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed figures.

Selections: 4-5-7-1

Aqueduct Race 2

Post: 1:20 PM ET; Purse: $80,000 Maiden Special Weight, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 6

• #4 LONG TERM (1-1) looks formidable here given the edge in a number of key categories including form & class.
• #2 DON THE JEWELER (5-2) is probably the next likeliest, but definitely a cut below the favorite.
• #5 IMPROPER (6-1) is a major player based on speed figures.
• #6 ELECTABILITY (5-1) has to be respected based on the connections.

Selections: 4-2-5-6

Aqueduct Race 3

Post: 1:52 PM ET; Purse: $200,000 Tom Fool H., 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 5

• #5 CHATEAU (4-5) is a horse that I have always really liked. He looks formidable here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
• #3 OFFICIATING (3-1) has proven that he can run in this type of spot, but has a long way to go to overcome the favorite.
• #1 REPO ROCKS (4-1) has really improved since switching to the Morley barn.
• #4 PRIME FACTOR (5-1) is a distance specialist and at points of the career was billed as something really special.

Selections: 5-3-1-4

Aqueduct Race 4

Post: 2:23 PM ET; Purse: $28,000 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 9

• #9 BREAKING STONES (5-2) is a major player in today's race based on several key handicapping factors including stamina & power rating.
• #1 VICTORY BUILT (2-1) is a major player based on speed figures.
• #2 BRUNATE (6-1) merits consideration in this spot given the recent form.
• #3 MATTY'S MARAUDER (5-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's recent class & pace numbers.

Selections: 9-1-2-3

Aqueduct Race 5

Post: 2:52 PM ET; Purse: $70,000 Maiden Special Weight, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 7

• #3 CHAPEL ROAD (3-1) should be competitive based on the breeding which is well suited for conditions of this race.
• #6 STATE PLANNING (5-2) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & race flow.
• #5 SENSIBLECONCLUSION (3-1) has a great shot in the race given the form & class.
• #4 DOUBLE MAKER (6-1) is an outside with a real chance to outrun the odds.

Selections: 3-6-5-4

Aqueduct Race 6

Post: 3:23 PM ET; Purse: $70,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #5 HOT ROD RUMBLE (2-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & pace numbers.
• #8 KAZMIKE (8-1) is undervalued at this price. I don’t know if he’ll win, but at 8-1 I’m willing to risk it. You have to be right a lot less with these types of opinions.
• #3 BEACH BOY AL (5-2) has some foundation and is well bred for the spot.
• #6 URAGANO (5-1) is one that I will want to watch the tote on. If there is signal that this one is performing well, I’ll include.

Selections: 5-8-3-6

Aqueduct Race 7

Post: 3:54 PM ET; Purse: $44,000 Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #2 DIRECT ORDER (3-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.
• #5 CHRIS AND DAVE (7-2) is worth a look here given edges in class & power rating.
• #1 GLORY ROAD (5-2) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done.
• #8 KUMAR (7-2) is another competitive runner in a group that lacks a stand out.

Selections: 2-5-1-8

Aqueduct Race 8

Post: 4:27 PM ET; Purse: $82,000 Allowance, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #6 TRASH TALKER (5-2) barring a horrible turn of racing luck, this one looks like about as much of a lock as they come. If he wasn’t against a coupled entry I believe he would be favored.
• #1A CASTLE CHAOS (2-1) will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race.
• #7 AMERICAN GENTLEMAN (9-2) is a reasonable player if you can get past the top 2 on the board.
• #3 KAZ'S BEACH (8-1) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.

Selections: 6-1A-7-3 (Best Bet #6 TRASH TALKER)

Aqueduct Race 9

Post: 4:57 PM ET; Purse: $250,000 Busher Invitational S., 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 6

• #5 MAGIC CIRCLE (3-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's stamina & record at the distance.
• #6 RADIO DAYS (7-5) is in with a great chance based on the horse's race flow & power rating.
• #2 STERLING SILVER (6-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & pace numbers.
• #1 SHOTGUN HOTTIE (12-1) has to be respected today edging the field in several key handicapping factors including class & power rating.

Selections: 5-6-2-1

Aqueduct Race 10

Post: 5:27 PM ET; Purse: $300,000 Gotham S., 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 10

• Gotham Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 10-5-4-9

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