Racing is reaching that fever pitch. There are some incredible races, and they are right at your finger tips. Kickback, and grab your E-Z Forms as this may be a weekend of action that you don’t want to miss!

 

Aqueduct

There will be a 60% of rain on Friday, but on Saturday you can look forward to partly sunny skies and 55 degrees. I think the moisture will be welcome for the track on Friday, and the track crew should have the oval sealed to protect the surface. On Saturday, I see a drying track that should allow the runners to really dig down deep and grab the track.

 

Race #4 – The (G-2) Ruffian Stakes – 1 mile – 2:26 p.m. ET

#6 -My Wandy’s Girl (9-5) = Irad Ortiz gets the call for Michael Hushion. Exits the 7f Barbara Fritchie at Laurel, and was a beaten favorite in the G-2 event. She is 1/1 going a mile, and she gets another 1/8th of a mile to run.

 

Race #6 – Mdn Sp Wt – 6f – 3:30 p.m. ET

#3 – Do I Amuse You (3-1) = David Cohen is the replacement pilot for Samuel Camacho. This son of Sharp Humor shows solid speed, and he was a beaten favorite last out. Joe Pesci coined this line from the movie “Goodfellas,” and I think he won’t be laughing today.  Catch him if you can! Be sure to box him with #9 – Ocala Jim (5-1).

 

Race #8 – The (G-2) Gazelle Stakes – 1 1/8 – 4:39 p.m. ET

#2 – Close Hatches (8-5) = Joel Rosario in the saddle for Bill Mott, and they exit a win in an O.C. $75,000 race at Gulfstream Park. His works are sharp, and with the speed from Walkwithapurpose, he should be able to stalk right off his flanks.

 

Race #9 – The (G-3) Bayshore Stakes – 7f – 5:14 p.m. ET

#6 – Honorable Dillon (4-1) = Joel Rosario in the driver’s seat for Eddie Kenneally, and they exit a dismal run in the G-2 Tampa Derby. But, the upside is  there is no Verrazano, Java’s War, or Falling Sky in here. This son of Tapit appears to love the 7f distance, and should be a major player in this field. Drops in class, and I am going to use him with #2- Maleeh, and #8 – Clearly Now.

 

Race #10 – The (G-1) Carter Handicap – 7f – 5:49 p.m. ET

#4 – Sahara Sky (2-1) = Joel Rosario up for Jerry Hollendorfer. 2/2 in 2013, and is 4/4 ITM going the distance. His win in the San Carlos was impressive, and his turn of foot gives me mucho confidence. I guess they are coming from the left coast for a reason…

 

Race #11 – The (G-1) Wood Memorial Stakes – 1 1/8 – 6:28 p.m. ET

This race sets up to look like a battle of two big time runners. I agree, and both are worth the price of admission. But, after all said and done. I am going to try and beat the chalk with a runner who had a troubled trip last out.

#2 – Normandy Invasion (5-1) = Javier Castellano in the irons for Chad Brown. They are winning 37% this past month as a team, and if you look closely. That last race was a very bad trip. His last effort was troubled as he was off slow, and was 7 wide at the quarter pole. He was a beaten favorite in the Risen Star, and since then he has four great works which three were bullets. Switching riders from Jose Lezcano to the money rider Castellano, and I am seeing a better race coming his way. I am going to use him with #4 – Elnaawi (12-1), and #8 – Verrazano (4-5).

 

Grab up your E-Z Forms, and start putting together your pick-four, and find the hidden nuggets of gold that sweeten your payoff. At the time of this writing, the Derby is 30 days away from post time. Now is the countdown, and this weekend will answer many questions.