Aqueduct Picks: Pirate's Punch a long shot in the Stymie S. on February 26

Riders are facing up to the gate ... NYRA’s Aqueduct Racetrack has their Winter Meet streaming right along, despite some rainy and cold 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 ... Today, we have 9 races for your betting pleasure, including the "Non-G" Stymie S. ...

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 7: Risk Taking #1, 2/1, Sound Money #1A, 2/1):

Follow the sound money … Trainer Chad Brown has some impressive numbers, if you believe in that sort of thing. I would expect this coupled entry to get slammed at the windows, but even at 4/5, that might be a good deal. You will remember Risk Taking #1 from last year’s Derby Trail, when the colt impressively stood out in the Withers S. Even though he did not run well in the Wood Memorial (G2) or the Preakness S. (G1), it was a solid year for the Klaravich router. His stablemate is a class riser, that is looking to make a name for himself after running in conditioned ALLW Co. The red-lettered “KS” should find its way into the winner’s circle. Nothing like a 2-for-1 deal, if both run …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #1/1A

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

Here is a gelding, rider, and a barn that are all peaking at just the proper time. The last time we saw this 4-yr-old gelding by Big Brown, he was fading in the stretch against a similar group of runners at the ALLW-level. The result was a 3rd place finish, and even though his “win” was snatched from him, I think that performance was something to build on. Yes, he was bested by Reggae Music Man #, who he faces again this afternoon, but his ALLW Co. record is not all that impressive, to be honest. I still prefer Jeff Englehart’s entry because his outfit continues to be on fire right now. Also, I always consider it a good sign when a conditioner brings a horse back on short rest. That is what Englehart intends to do …. What a price this one will be too … hopefully, something like 6/1!

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

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 1 Mile, Stymie S., $125k, 4+):

The “feature” at “The Big A” on Saturday is this race, the well-drawn Stymie S. A BT affair going 1-mile around a single turn, it should be a great betting opportunity. Most of the public will be swayed by M/L favorite, Green Light Go #1, and rightly so … The Jerkens Barn had this 5-yr-old by Hard Spun ready to fire last time out in an OC80k in mid-January. Jockey Dylan Davis rode this Stronach Stables-owned “frontender” to a 9-length victory. That was certainly impressive, but I am not sure that field of 4 others was that challenging a group. This spot is going to be much more difficult considering the company, and I want to back a runner that has a real chance, at a good price. That is precisely why I am looking to Bill Morey’s new charge, the battle-tested Pirate’s Punch #6. Back in 2020, in the middle of the Pandemic, this son of Shanghai Bobby made some noise at Monmouth, winning the Salvator Mile (G3) in impressive fashion. Grant Forester took him all the way to Keeneland for the BC Dirt Mile (G1). His races since that stretch have been lackluster, and I really think it was time for a change. Morey takes over, after this miler was 6th most recently in the Louisiana S. (G3) at the Fair Grounds. Adding Jorge Vargas, I believe his mount will come to the north with a renewed spirit. His price will be excellent at fair odds of around 8/1 … my top selection. Let’s use a couple of other entries, so we can round out a Trifecta Wheel ticket. I do like Todd Pletcher’s class-elevating Waxman #2, and also Michelle Nevin’s state bred stakes aficionado, Our Last Buck #7. Using them makes a ton of sense … time to head to the window!

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Wheel, 6 w 1/2/7 w 1/2/7

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 !!!