We have three plays today, a pair of stakes races at Aqueduct, and one at Santa Anita. We expect fast dirt and firm turf in all three races, so let’s go.
Aqueduct, Race 4, 2:18 pm ET
$100,000 Jimmy Winkfield Stakes, 7 furlongs, Dirt, 3-Year-Olds
Four go in the Winkfield. We are all in on 3-Life is Great, who not only appears to possess the best form in the group, but who has the right running style at Aqueduct, where the track the past few days has significantly favored outside running paths and horses coming from a bit off the pace. Look for Life is Great to bide his time early, running well to the outside, and to win with a big move around the far turn, and at the top of the stretch. We think Life is Great wins big for trainer Bob Klesaris, and will bet him to win at 9/5. The bet: Aqueduct, Race 4, $50 to win on 3-Life is Great.
Aqueduct, Race 8, 4:25 pm ET
$100,000 Ruthless Stakes, 7 furlongs, Dirt, 3-Year-Old Fillies
The Ruthless drew a field of seven sophomore fillies. Once again, we’re looking to the outside, to the wonderfully named 7-Shotgun Hottie, who was last seen at the Fair Grounds right after Christmas, when she ran 4th in a minor stakes. That race was at a mile and a sixteenth, and we like the cutback to 7 furlongs here; we also like that the early pace should favor her closing running style, and that she will be able to launch her late bid while running over the best part of the track, the outside. We will bet Shotgun Hottie to win at 5/2. The bet: Aqueduct, Race 8, $40 to win on 7-Shotgun Hottie.
Santa Anita Park, Race 8, 7:12 pm ET
Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Dirt, 3-Year-Olds
Five colts go in the Las Virgenes. A certain white-haired trainer, who is based on the West Coast and who is famed for winning big races for 3-year-olds, starts two of them, including 1-Messier, who is favored off a good second-place finish in the Los Alamitos Futurity in December. He could win, but at a short price – he’s 6/5 on the morning line, and will probably be odds-on by the time the gates open – we think he’s a play-against.
We like 2-Sir London. He broke his maiden in his last start, winning by over 10 lengths in early December, and while he did have a very advantageous trip in that effort, setting the pace while running very moderate fractions, it was also his first race around two turns, and we like the fact that he finished so strongly. That Sir London did so well in his first start in a longer race is a sign, we think, that he will run even better in this spot, which makes hi a major contender. We will bet on it: we will play Sir London to win at 9/5. The bet: Santa Anita, Race 3, $40 to win on 2-Sir London.
That’s all for today. Until the next time, enjoy the racing, be safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.