Aqueduct Picks: Withers S. Day on February 5

NYRA’s Aqueduct Racetrack and their Winter Meet are rolling along, despite some tough weather conditions! We arrive on Withers Stakes Day with a nice slate of 9 races that are sure to be full of opportunities. The NYRA Kentucky Derby Series takes center stage, and those that are drawn-in for the Grade 3 will be after 10-4-2-1 ... more points!

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action! It is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned! If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Saturday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter ... Horseracing_USA !!!

Most Likely Winner: (Race 2: Fenway #3, 5/2):

In this tough ALLW Co. race, it might be easiest to just keep it simple … Occam’s Razor, and all that. Trainer John Terranova inherits this runner that was in Bob Baffert’s care last fall at Belmont. He was part of the contingent that came to NYRA in the wake of the beleaguered conditioner’s woes out East ... Courts, they decided … the SoCal trainer could run … for now. After some time off, Terranova has an understanding of what kind of hand he was dealt, and it is time to get down to racing. With some maturity in his corner, and Into Mischief in his bloodline, I think he is ready to take on this salty ALLW Co. group. Trevor McCarthy has ridden his mounts well over the past few weeks … he is up for the challenge.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #3

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 3: Drafted #3, 8/1):

I have waited to see when this hard-knocking gelding would land in 2022 … it is debut time. Last year, the former Middle East transplant to NYRA, ran against some tough company at both Aqueduct and Belmont. Three of those 7-contests were Grade 3s, so he clearly learned some lessons. In the Toboggan S., he clearly did not have the stamina to hang with the likes of American Power. A year on, I would expect the gelding by Field Commission to be ready to fire after a couple of good works. The presence of Jose Ortiz makes me think that a win here is possible … If only we could get a price like 8/1; not sure it is going to happen.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #3 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 1 1/8th, Withers S. (G3), $250k, 3):

The weather might not be temperate on Saturday, but what we do know is that this full field of colts will be runnin’ on, in what amounts to a nice Grade 3 for KYD148 Points. I am pretty convinced that Chad Brown’s “KS” entry, Early Voting #9, will end up being the favorite. That might not be “deserving,” but it certainly is not outlandish either. Jose Ortiz rides a second-out colt that looked sharp in his debut win. A son of Gun Runner, there is little evidence that he will not be able to stretch out to 9F. This is Brown we are speaking of, and we know he wants to be on the Derby Trail, and in the Starting Gate at Churchill come May. The price may not be to your liking … somewhere around 2/1 … but remember, these connections paid $200k for this one. I am not going to play against this runner per se, because he can win; rather, I am much more interested in trainer Bill Mott’s entry. At a much better price, Gilded Age #4 was not inexpensive either … how about $600k? By Medaglia d’Oro, this colt had 4 efforts last fall at SPA/CD/KEE/CD, and they were a mixed bag. What sparks my interest was the last one, a MSW120k going 1 1/16th on the MT. That was a nice score, and really showed this one’s development. Mott had something to build on, and after a solid work tab at Payson Park, the HOF-er’s home-away, he looks like an interesting bet in this spot. The able-bodied Kendrick Carmouche gets the call, and his ability to spring upsets in unlikely places is definitely present. Let’s use both of these in an Exacta Box, and load up for a nice score!

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Box, 4/9

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Enjoy some racing from the “Big A!” Best of luck on another run at Aqueduct! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter … Horseracing_USA !!!