Mr. Ed’s Best Bets for Aqueduct on Saturday, December 2
THE RETURN OF MR. ED: After a holiday week off for good behavior (had a profitable day on 11/16), I’m rested and ready to return to handicapping. While away, the only things I picked were the meat off a leftover turkey leg and another NFL winner (this Sunday’s selection is at the end of the column).
Following a brief virtual visit to Del Mar, Mr. Ed returns to the friendlier East Coast confines of the BIG A for a juicy 10-race card, featuring more than $1 million in purses, capped by an all-stakes late Pick 4. If you join me in playing Aqueduct until the New Year, when I will again concentrate on the annual championship meet at Gulfstream, here are three riders worth following: (1) Jose Garcia, who has earned his spot on the NY circuit; (2) Young Maddie Oliver, a sharp gal who will retain her apprentice status until late January; and (3) My main man, Manny Franco, who has proven he can ride with NY’s finest.
As for conditioners, the remarkable Dick Dutrow, who after serving a ten-year suspension, has quickly built a strong new barn, and Danny Gargan, a long-time Mr. Ed fav, are both worth a second look anytime their steeds are entered.
TODAY AT THE BIG A: The final two contests, Race 9 — G2 The Remsen, an early test for 2024 Kentucky Derby aspirants, and Race 10 — The Grade 2 Cigar Mile, a prestigious handicap for three-year-olds and up which has drawn a field competitive of 12, are standouts. First race post time is 11:50 a.m. ET/8:50 PT. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s selections:
Race 3 (12:52 p.m. ET/9:52 a.m. PT)
Mr. Ed likes #2 WINIT (5-2 morning line) in this pricy optional claimer. The gelded son of Tapit returned to track following a lengthy layoff, with solid Place effort. Trained by John Kimmel, who excels with fresh horses. He takes the blinkers off and rehires Kendrick Carmouche to ride. Wager: $10 to Win it, and box in $2 Exactas with 3,5,8. ($22)
Race 4 (1:19 p.m. ET/10:19 a.m. PT)
My pick is #3 DRINKING SOLO (7-2 morning line) with Manny Franco for hot Robert Falcone barn. Woke up a month ago as the betting choice in a sprint when he dueled to the finish line. I can swallow the stretch out to a mile. Wager: $10 to Win and Place. ($20)
Race 7 (2:45 p.m. ET/11:45 a.m. PT) — G2 Demoiselle Stakes for two-year-old fillies
Mr. Ed’s LONGSHOT OF THE DAY is #8 RINGY DINGY (8-1 morning line) for skillful trainer Danny Gargan, who retains smilin’ Katie Davis to ride. Coming off back-to-back wins, this gal looks well-suited to stretching out. Wager: $5 to Win, Place and Show. ($15)
Race 8 (3:17 p.m. ET/12:17 p.m. PT) — G2 Go for Wand Stakes for fillies
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF DAY is #7 GOOD SAM (5-2 morning line). The powerful team of Chad Brown and Irad Ortiz Jr. are pointing toward a perfect 4 for 4 over the Big A surface as they stretch this gal out to a mile. She’s never finished worse than second in five tries and appears ready to wire the field. Wager: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 9 (3:45 p.m. ET/12:45 p.m. PT) — The G2 Remsen Stakes for 2-year-olds
I like the expensive son of Good Magic, #3 DORNOCH (5-2 morning line) to continue down the Derby trail for trainer Danny Gargan and rider Luis Saez. The well-traveled, front-running youngster is poised to his fire best effort yet in major stakes. Knock, Knock, he’ll be there in Winner’s Circle. Wager: $10 to Win and box in $2 Exactas with 4,7,8. ($22)
Race 10 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — G2 $500K The Cigar Mile Handicap
Mr. Ed will bet on #10 ACCRETIVE (4-1 morning line) for the Chad Brown-Irad Ortiz Jr. team in a deep field of star performers. Choice sports a 7-3-2-1 record. Trainer scores at a 28% return after 31-60 days away. Wager: $10 to Win and Box with 2,3,5,11 in $2 Exactas. ($26)
TOTAL WAGERS: $125
WHO DOES MR. ED (8-2*) LIKE ON SUNDAY?
Kansas City Chiefs -5.5 over Green Bay Packers
*against the spread
