Aqueduct Picks: Black Sheep Squadron's Good Skate on April 8
Aqueduct Racetrack Picks - Friday, April 8, 2022
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Race 1: 1-5-1-2
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Race 2: 5(MTO)-9-5-1-6
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Race 3: 4(MTO)-6-3-1-9
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Race 4: 1-3-4-6
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Race 5: 4-5-1-3
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Race 6: 7(MTO)-5-2-3-1
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Race 7: 7-3-1-2
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Race 8: 6-3-7-5
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**Most Likely: Khali Magic #6 (Race 8)**
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**Best Value: Auburn Hills #4 (Race 5)**
NYRA’s Aqueduct Racetrack's Spring Meet is breaking from the gate! That means grass racing returns this week ... although the weather might not be cooperating very well. In other words, we could be off-the-turf. Be sure to check the scratches and changes ...
As for the Derby Trail, it is coming to a head. After last month's Gotham S. (G2), the Wood Memorial S. (G2) is tomorrow! Plus, do not forget all of the other NYRA stakes competition too. We have 8 competitive races scheduled for today, so enjoy!
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 Friday 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 8: Khali Magic #6, 2/1):
This isn’t a terribly inventive pick, but let’s face it, this Wachtel Stable filly, trained by Chris Englehart, is going in the right direction. She is making her 4th start of the year, and the company is spot on. Her trainer has watched her progression steadily, and she was the favorite back on 13 March. Maybe she just didn’t have enough in the tank to compete with Wasp, but that should change. Jockey Dylan Davis takes over for his brother-in-law, Trevor McCarthy, and we will see if he can get this one home. I like this 4-yr-old’s talent, and breeding … Al Khali.
Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #6
Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 5: Auburn Hills #4, 4/1):
Just off-the-claim, I like the look of this gelding by Palace Malice because Michelle Giangiulio has had time since late February to make some adjustments. Sometimes a barn switch is just what a runner needs. Ten Strike Racing is a part of this investment group, and with Jose Gomez in the irons, I think this 5-yr-old is ready to fire. The 1-mile distance should not be an issue whatsoever. A change of scenery is a deal … plus, any runner from Mike Maker’s midst deserves respect.
Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #4 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)
Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 7: Dirt, 1 Mile, OC80kn1x, 3):
Since we are not sure about the weather over the next 24-hrs, it is probably best to assume that the AQU Turf Course’s ’22 debut will be on hold … at least for another day. This race serves as a nice dirt option … reasonable, well-matched field. I can already take an educated guess and surmise with a fair amount of certainty that Chad Brown’s Electability #3 will be the race time favorite. This trainer’s “numbers” are just incredibly tough to match. A high-priced son of Quality Road ($300k, KEE Nov ’19 Sale), he broke his maiden with Eric Cancel aboard on 5 March against MSW80k Co. Klaravich Stables always takes money, but there are some other viable options here too. I am pretty interested in seeing how the Ryerson Barn’s Unbridled Bomber #1 responds after running 10th in the Withers S. (G3) in early February. That contest has produced some powerful 3-yr-olds, to say the least … Early Voting, Un Ojo, and Gilded Age … I would expect the dropdown to this level would be appreciated, as Jose Lezcano takes the reins. One other entry that I think has a major opportunity is one-half of Rudy Rodriguez’s uncoupled entry … Good Skate #7. The folks at the Black Sheep Squadron Racing Stable are ready to launch, and rightly so … this gelding by American Freedom was stout on 25 Feb. when he rolled down the lane, and won going away. Building on that effort, Trevor McCarthy will try to duplicate Lezcano’s performance (and his own from 27 Jan.). If he can, it will spell a 3rd win in-a-row for the “Squadron.” Let’s use all 3 of these … going after what looks like a reasonable Trifecta Box!
Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Box, 1/3/7
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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 !!!