Aqueduct Picks: American Monarch dignified favorite on March 27

HOF trainer Bill Mott has American Monarch headed to the post in a key race today ... see what his chances are like, and for that matter, all of our free picks below!

Aqueduct Picks - Sunday, March 27, 2022

Race 1: 3-2-8-9
Race 2: 5-4-1-3
Race 3: 7-6-4-2
Race 4: 5-3-2-7
Race 5: 3-8-4-2
Race 6: 8-5-3-7
Race 7: 8-2-6-5
Race 8: 6-5-3-2
Race 9: 6-4-1/1A-3
**Most Likely: American Monarch #8 (Race 7)**
**Best Value: Front Porch #7 (Race 3)**

NYRA’s Aqueduct Racetrack has their Winter Meet wrapping up today, and they made it through another cold blast, despite battling tough weather conditions.

As for the Derby Trail, it is heating up, now that the Gotham S. (G2) now complete. That means that the Wood Memorial S. (G2) is just around the corner. We have 9 races scheduled, anchored by the "Non-G" East View Stakes!

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 Sunday 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 !!!

Horse Racing Picks

Most Likely Winner: (Race 7: American Monarch #8, 9/5):

HOF trainer Bill Mott has had quite a globetrotting weekend … He sends this accomplished ALLW Co. competitor into a tougher spot when Sunday dawns. I think he can handle the pressure, especially looking over his form. Once a turf horse in the late summer, his conditioner switched him to the dirt at Aqueduct, and he has steadily improved when it comes to sprinting. His speed fig last out on 12 Feb. was spectacular, a career best, and moving into this OC62.5n2x makes a ton of sense. If Jose Lezcano can stay focused throughout the race, then maybe this one can get the job done for owner Mike Rutherford. Will be one to back to the hilt, in my opinion …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #8

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 3: Front Porch #7, 7/2):

Here is a NY Bred that is looking to close out the Winter Meet with a win against other maidens. His debut at AQU yielded a fairly typical result for trainer George Weaver. He ended up a respectable 4th behind Rcaptivating, a runner that bested 3 co-favorites. Weaver is great when it comes to tinkering, and I think this son of up-and-coming sire Cupid, might have what it takes to get to the winner’s circle. I would not leave this one off any ticket, in other words …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #7 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 7F, East View S. $100k, 3F NY Breds):

The final “stakes” of the Meet is this one … the East View $100k. A six-pack of 3-yr-old fillies will try to individually assert themselves over the 7F distance. I am pretty interested to see what price HOF trainer Bill Mott’s entry will be when post time rolls around. Yo Cuz #5 has quite a dossier, and the Dream Maker Racing Stable has watched their filly by Laoban get better and better. She is cutting back a touch after winning her 2nd race in-a-row last month at “The Big A.” That $100k “Non-G” saw her take it coast-to-coast with Jose Ortiz in the irons. He is supposed to be aboard again on Sunday, but I am having a hard time seeing it, especially after he catches the “red-eye” from Dubai. If there is a runner that can take this one on, then maybe it is Charlie Baker’s Stone Creator #3. This filly by Creative Cause was 2nd behind Mott’s ace last time out, and she is looking for some payback. With some strong works, perhaps Kendrick Carmouche can flip the script. He always said that “clean faces, win races,” and that is probably what it is going to take … a perfect trip on the engine. One other entry that is worth a look, hails from the midst of Ray Handal’s fine local establishment. A young trainer (reasonably so …) that keeps getting better and better, I like his philosophy and conditioning standards. Salsa a Parte #6 broke her maiden on debut back on 19 Feb., winning by a neck with Jalon Samuel aboard. At odds of 10/1, that was a surprise, and the good news is, the 3rd Place horse out of that race has already come back to win. Samuel gets aboard again, and maybe with the right trip, she can be there in the end to overturn the NY applecart. This should be a fun one to wager and watch, as the Winter Meet lowers the curtain once again.

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Box, 3/5/6

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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 !!!