Mr. Ed’s Aqueduct Picks:
MR ED’S AQUEDUCT PICKS: The best racing card in America today is at Santa Anita Park with its rich California Crown Stakes festival. I’m leaving that to other punters. So what’s Mr. Ed doing hanging out at dark, damp and dreary Aqueduct? Over the past two dozen years or so I have had the pleasure of visiting Santa Anita, arguably the most beautiful racing facility in the country, on several occasions — ALWAYS with the same results: I return home tapped out. I can’t recall ever cashing a single ticket there. For that reason, the first thing I do when I open the Daily Racing Form, no matter online, at the track or in a Las Vegas racebook, is tear out the Santa Anita pages and toss them in the trash.
Mr. Ed may not pick as many winners here on VSiN.com as he, or you, would like, but a few scores sure as Hell beats a goose egg. Thank goodness the Breeders’ Cup (Nov. 1 and 2) is at Del Mar, but that’s another story. As for today, good luck to all those playing Santa Anita and elsewhere. Today’s card at the friendly confines of Aqueduct features four classy graded stakes and several other challenging contests beginning at 12:05 p.m. ET/9:05 a.m. PT. Here are Mr. Ed’s Aqueduct picks.
Mr. Ed’s Aqueduct Picks for Saturday, September 28
Race 3 (1:07 p.m. ET/10:07 a.m. PT) — $45K CLAIMING for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #9 BACKSTRETCH ROSE (3-1 morning line) for trainer Gary Contessa and new pilot Junior Alvarado. Daughter of Army Mule gets class hike off claim and cuts back from mile. Bullet work indicates Rose is ready.
AQUEDUCT PICK: $5 to Win & Place. ($10)
Race 4 (1:38 p.m. ET/10:38 a.m. PT) — G2 $400K WOODWARD STAKES for 3YOs & up going 1 ⅛-mile
I’ll take a shot with veteran #3 TAPIT TRICE (5-2 morning line) for tip-top connections of Todd Pletcher and new rider Dylan Davis. G1-tested millionaire gets class relief and shortens up. Look for him early.
AQUEDUCT PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (2:09 p.m. ET/ 11:09 a.m. PT) — $85K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING NY-bred 3YOs & up going a mile
Mr. Ed likes three: #2 MIGHTY ATLAS (6-1 morning line) in second back off rest; #5 BOURBON CHASE (2-1) with Irad Ortiz Jr. in irons, and #8 LEFTMEBEHIND (8-1)for Barclay Tagg and smiling Katie Davis.
AQUEDUCT PICK: $5 Pick 3. ($30)
Race 6 (2:40 p.m. ET/11:40 a.m. PT) — G1 $500K TURF CLASSIC for 3YOs going 1 1-2-mile
Winner of past two Classics, only female entered #4 WAR LIKE GODDESS (8-5 morning line) goes for hat trick. Alvarado rides again for Mott. Loves track.
AQUEDUCT PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 7 (3:11 p.m. ET/12:11 p.m. PT) — $70K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 2YOs going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s longshot #8 REVENITE (8-1 morning line) for popular conditioner Danny Gargan. Lots to like: second start, price drop, new rider (Santana), bullet work, adds blinkers, cuts back in distance and moves to dirt. Enough said.
AQUEDUCT PICK: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 8 (3:43 p.m. ET/12:43 p.m. PT) — $75K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred 2YO fillies and mares going 6 furlongs on turf
I like #11 VEHEMENTE (9-2 morning line) for Joe Sharp’s barn, who adds blinkers and moves to grass after a pair of dull dirt efforts at Saratoga. Top rider Irad Ortiz Jr. climbs aboard. My kinda gal.
AQUEDUCT PICK: $10 Win & Place. ($20)
Race 9 (4:14 p.m. ET/1:14 p.m. PT) — G3 $250K VOSBURGH STAKES for 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
My choice is Chilean invader #6 MUFASA (3-1 morning line) for conditioner Ignacio Correas, who replaces Jose Ortiz with brother Irad for ride. Steps up off score, sports bullet work.
AQUEDUCT PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 10 (4:45 p.m. ET/1:45 p.m. PT) — $95K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on turf
Mr. Ed likes #5 TIDAL FORCES (4-1 morning line) for excellent trainer Fernando Abreu. Tactical speed should serve gelding well off solid work. A storm surge.
AQUEDUCT PICK: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Races 11&12 (5:17 p.m. ET/2:17 p.m. PT) — G2 $200 PILGRIM STAKES for 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile on turf and $35K MAIDEN CLAIMER
I’ll close out the card with Daily Doubles playing a pair of maidens, #1 NOBLE CONFESSOR and #2 FLYING MOHAWK (both at 6-1 morning line) with three other maidens, #7 YINGLE BELLS (15-1), #9 RAMESSES (6-1) and #12 GUILE (9-2).
AQUEDUCT PICK: $5 Daily Doubles of 1,2/7,9,12. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $180
SPOT PLAYS
Churchill Downs
Race 8 G3 $400K Ack Ack
#3 CAGLIOSTRO (7-2)
Race 10 G2 $500K Lukas Classic
#8 WARRIOR JOHNNY (5-1)
NFL (1-2 ats) PICK: HOU -7.5
