Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct RacetrackFrancesca LeDonne Photo/Aqueduct/NYRA

Horse Racing Sunday: Connecting with Atras

Looking for Aqueduct trainer to have a big day

Sundays it’s all about connections.

Mick lost twice in his beliefs on connections Saturday when picking a Rob Atras horse that finished second and then turning away from his charge in a stakes race to watch him win. The third Atras of the day scratched. So what does it mean to have hot connections?

Obviously, it means you are winning a lot but more importantly, it means that you have tons of confidence. When things are going right, horses peak for races, riders find holes to go through, head bobs go the right way, and in yesterday’s race, the Atras charge got the perfect pace scenario. When things are going good, there is a huge piling on effect. Owners have noticed Atras’ success so he is getting new owners and their quality horses. This happens all the time. The question becomes . . .will it last?

It has lasted for the top barns, especially those successful at the highest levels. It would be hard to contemplate sending a top turf mare to anyone other than Chad Brown. Same for a talented youngster to Bob Baffert. Now the question is where will Rob Atras make his name? It’s the first week in March and he has already had his best career year. Will he still be around in December? Or more importantly, will his owners still be with him in December?

PICKS FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019

Well, the Big A was fast on Saturday but Laurel was sloppy and then muddy. The Laurel track has taken a lot of moisture recently and may remain less than fast on Sunday. If the track is harrowed for morning works, expect fast by race time. If it’s sealed in the morning, expect good in the afternoon.

AQUEDUCT RACE 4
$30K maiden for NY bred 3 year olds at 6 ½ f. This race comes down to a decision between a first-time starter and one of two moderately talented experienced horses. Morning line favorite 5-Mounted Cop goes out with Manny Franco in the saddle which is a good sign but his dame has only 2 winners from 6 starters so they make it to the races but not to the winner’s circle. Of the others, the appropriately named 3-Bronx Bomber seems to hold the most promise. If he can relax just a little bit he should be able to see this one out. John Kimmel is having a successful meet with a fairly small barn since his focus seems to be on Gulfstream.
Pick: $10 W/P/S 3-Bronx Bomber

AQUEDUCT RACE 7
Starter allowance for older boys at 6f. 4-Tribecca has been kept in NY bred company for a long time save the one race at this level from which Rudy Rodriguez claimed him and got eligible for this race. He is coming off a 4th in a NY stakes where a late fade cost him the race after carving good fractions. This field is nowhere near as tough and he gets the services of top rider Manny Franco. If 4-Tribeca can’t see the race out, 8-Deep Sea should be flying late and could pick up the pieces.
Pick: $10 W/P/S 4-Tribeca

LAUREL RACE 4
Maiden fillies at 5 ½ f. So what kind of jockey does an inexperienced maiden need? Usually a patient one. And all of the patient riders in Maryland have mounts in this race. It’s hard to tell the group apart but the quality must be amongst the firsters because the others are meh. Sorting for family and price leads to 1-Keep Your Thoughts, a daughter of Great Notion out of a Two Punch mare, so speed should not be a problem. The big concern is 3-Never Enough Time from the same connections. The first call jockey took the 3 so the pick here is the 1. Jockey David Egan is new to the colony and the Colonies but not to the saddle. He won the top apprentice title in the UK 2 years ago. Now Maryland has multiple top apprentices under the age of 21.
Pick: $10 W/P/S 1-Keep Your Thoughts

LAUREL RACE 6
MD bred first level allowance for older fillies and mares at 5 ½ f. This race is all about the distance. Only one of these is a 5½ f specialist. And that honor goes to 1-Sudden Hope who won at this distance two back. Trainer Damon Dilodovico seems to really excel with these kinds. That is, older horses that have underwhelmed to date but that could be changed/fixed/waited on in order to succeed. And this race is much softer than her last one. The 8/1 M/L is a gift and expect it to go down unless the rail is awful earlier in the card. Mick thinks this one can avoid trouble and bring it home at her favorite distance.
Pick: $10 W/P/S 1-Sudden Hope

And Now For Some Quickies . . .

AQUEDUCT RACES 3, 6 and 8
It doesn’t matter the level of the races. It is only the trainer that makes the difference. 2-Malibu Action in the 3rd, 3-Promise Me Roses in the 6th and 1-Science Fiction in the 8th are the picks because they have the most important common denominator and that is trainer Rob Atras. Mick promises not to bet against a Rob Atras horse until one misses the board.

LAUREL RACE 8
$16K for older fillies and mares at 5 ½ f. Trainer Hugh McMahon and rider Katie Davis remain red hot winning at 26% as a team. 5-Bustin Hearts should continue that trend in a surprisingly soft race for this level.

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