Aqueduct Picks: Ha! ... Winners Laugh on February 20

NYRA’s Aqueduct Racetrack has their Winter Meet rolling along, despite some challenging 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 ... how about that! Today, we have 9 races coming your way ... 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!

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Most Likely Winner: (Race 9: Air Show #3, 7/2):

On Friday, Straight Skinny won nicely against some tough company. One of his opponents back in late December was this gelding by Street Sense. That was a Clm25kn2L, going a mile. His next time out on the class hike, he really failed to impress (3rd-8 lengths back). In his defense, that was a tough condition (Clm35kn3L). Tom Morley then had to let him go because he was claimed by Orlando Noda, and Final Turn Racing Stable. The new barn has a small sample of 1st off-the-claim numbers, but they look promising (17%) nonetheless. I think this runner is better than Texas Basin #2 and Trash Talker #5 … both of those will be better prices. The benefit that this 4-yr-old gets is the cutback in distance, and the services of Jose Gomez. The young bug is riding well, and should be able to deliver a score.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #3

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 6: Our Man Mike #3, 5/1):

Horacio De Paz is a conditioner with a solid stable, even though his current winning percentage might not support that assertion. He has a router-turned-sprinter, that could make some noise in this OC45km2x on Sunday. This gelding by Street Boss has a pair of wins over the Aquduct MT, and one of those came last time out in an ALLW72k event back in mid-January. Ridden ably by Trevor McCarthy, I am sure some will guffaw that it was a “Golden Rail” that day. Maybe … maybe not … The speed fig was excellent, and the win is something to build on. Here is the opportunity, and it comes in the form of a class bump. Maybe we can get the odds to float towards 7/1, which would be a gift.

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

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 7F, AOC45k, 4+ NY Breds):

A tough condition at the state bred level, we have a varied group that is coming together for this 1-turn affair. Out of these 7, some could be headed to a new outfit. With so many ways to go, I am landing on another one from Horacio De Paz’s midst; this time a horse by Broken Vow. Winners Laugh #7 needed a race last time off-the-bench at “The Big A” at this level, and it showed in his performance—6th. That was back in early December, and the connections clearly thought that he needed some time off for whatever reason. His latest works look promising since mid-January, and I think Jose Lezcano is just the man for this type of riding assignment. Let’s use him on top, and roll under 3 others. Rob Atras’ Seven Lilies #5, Ray Handal’s More Grateful #4, and Linda Rice’s Tapizearance #2, all look the types that can at the very least hit the board. I am sure Atras’ entry will end up being the favorite based on his consistency. Still, I like the De Paz runner … he has some potential to be a superb price. Underlay …

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Superfecta Wheel, 7 w 2/4/5 w 2/4/5 w 2/4/5

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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 !!!