Aqueduct Picks: Impressionist a blurry favorite on February 11

NYRA’s Aqueduct Racetrack and their Winter Meet continues ..., Despite some tough weather conditions, the Derby Trail is heating up there with the Gotham S. (G2), and the Wood Memorial S. (G2) slated to run in March and April, respectively. Plus, all of the other NYRA stakes competition ...

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action for this 8-race card! 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 3: Bavarian Cream #7, 3/1):

Trainer Mark Hennig is a quality conditioner with a stable that competes throughout the Mid-Atlantic and up at NYRA. His winning percentages are not quite on par with the top tier folks, but that doesn’t mean he is lacking when it comes to his stock. This time around, he has a filly by Bayern that looks to be primed for her 2nd out. On debut at Aqueduct back in mid-January, she ended up 3rd in a MSW70k for state breds. I like this angle … 1st time starters, no longer. The abilities of Jose Lezcano will be on display, and he is going to try again to get this one home for the win. Maiden broken … that is my prediction.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #7

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 8: Pineapple Man #1, 6/1):

In the finale on this Friday, I am keen to wager a significant amount on Mike Maker’s son of Gormley. This one scratched recently, and Maker decided to try this spot instead. Getting Lasix for the 1st time, and Dylan Davis for the 2nd, are all ticks to the positive. So is the fact that this will be his 3rd time out. Even though this 3-yr-old is still trying to figure out what racing is all about, I think he has already shown some excellent development and maturity. A 1-turn mile like this should suit him well, and he is definitely fit. You may not get a good price like this again, if he continues to rise.  

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #1 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 7: Dirt, 6F, AOC80k, 3 NY Breds):

A group of New York runners are coming to play in this high-level OC sprint on the MT at “The Big A.” Most of these young 3-yr-olds are MSW types that are looking to take on tougher company. One of those, Rob Atras’ Impressionist #2, will most assuredly be the favorite. The gelding by Mission Impazible was awfully strong last time @AQU on New Year’s Day. Twin Creeks Racing watched their homebred “romp” home from wire-to-wire, winning by 8+ lengths. Kendrick Carmouche gave the commands that afternoon, and will try to do it again. There is no doubt that this Barn is hot right now, but I do not want to take 8/5, or lower, in this spot. Using him makes sense when it comes to including this gelding in your exotic wagers, but I much prefer the form of Kelly Breen’s Daufuskie Island #5. Here is a colt by Goldencents, a sire that regularly produces strong sprinters, that looks to be capable of much more. The former charge of Jeremiah Englehart, has a pair of tough “BTs” under his saddle with Breen. His late-running style could be deemed an asset, and given the proper pace to run into … a powerful advantage. The burgeoning riding ability of Jose Gomez is looking sharper and sharper. He is certainly on the make … Let’s play this race with an ice-cold Exacta, and load up!

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Cold, 5 w 2

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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 !!!