RT picks 3 Friday races for a warm November day at Aqueduct, including the Comely Stakes
RT Report 11.27.20
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Aqueduct today in Queens, where the weather is supposed to be partly sunny and mild with a high of 59˚
Aqueduct 4th - 6 furlong, $72K Allowance race for statie fillies and mares 3yo+ NW$
The entry of 1 Alphadora and 1a Cheatham Hill (8/1) look tough in this spot, especially Cheatham Hill, who was claimed here a year ago and sports a 6:2-1-0 record at The Big A. Unfortunately, they do not share joint trainers, merely ownership, and the speed of Alphadora can still set up the closing/pressing style of Cheatham Hill. This is one more for your exotic wager rather than chasing a win. #4 Spin A Yarn (8/5) fared well in The NY Stallions Series Stakes at the Spa in August, just missing to Officer Hutchy after coming off the turn leading. Next out and in a very convincing manner, she scored a $19K Allowance at Finger Lakes, winning by eleven lengths. In her next, and most recent, she set the pace until mid-turn and tired in The Iroquois stakes at Belmont. Excellent campaign this year running six races, winning, four and getting place cash for $70.4K. #3 Honey Money (6/1) three times out and three times the fave, you can throw out her last due to sloppy conditions. Trainer Linda Rice 18% when moving horses up in class. #8 Impazible Donna (4/1) has never been far out of it, going 4:1-1-1 this year and can stalk and pounce. #2 Ruvies In Time (5/1) is a head case. I say that because this filly can smoke 'em, as demonstrated two back, scoring a 6f claimer in 1:10.4, or she can freak in the gate, like Sept. 18 at Belmont. Solid record here of 3:1-0-0 for $34K. My choice in this is #7 Ellarella (8/1). This lightly raced 4yo is shipping in from Parx where she has set the pace in both of her races there and closed out her MSW outing three back. She’s been racing at a mile and the angle of “take the speed in a cut back,” comes into play here.
Aqueduct 7th – 3yo+ $62.5 Optional Claiming NW2x or NW3
#4 Pete’s Play Call (7/5) Not to be a person to side with chalk, this is a favorite I am going to try to beat. However, this may be tough because on paper, he looks like a very tough out, scoring three-digit Equibase numbers in his past four. I do believe Pete’s and #3 Onemoregreattime (6/1), #6 Secret Rules (8/1) and #1a Chateau (8/5) will all chase for the lead. That will leave the #1 Clench and #2 Zoomer (10/1) the ability to close out the rest. Zoomer is worth taking a shot on and although I wrote earlier that I was going to try to beat Pete’s Call, I believe if you can get him at 2-1 or greater, Jose Ortiz is going to ride him in style like his last time he climbed aboard – rate and pounce.
Aqueduct 8th – The G3 $100K Comely Stakes for 3yo fillies going 8.5 panels
#6 Mrs. Danvers (5/2) is a Shug trainee coming off an $82K Allowance at Belmont late last month and McGaughey is 30% with last out winners. This $300K Tapit acquisition has not had a race, or workout, over the track and whereas she is talented, I am not a fan of horses coming in cold like that. #1 Miss Marissa (3/1) just nailed The Black Eyed Susan, $250K G2 score in October, she is having an excellent campaign this year accumulating $243K on six efforts. She has two poor races at Aqueduct this past winter yet has had a great season of evolving into a classy horse. Getting the inside post and saving ground will be a blessing. Dylan Davis is in the irons again and his experience winning with her will be noteworthy. #8 Gale (9/2) breaking her maiden on the turf at Laurel, then coming right back for a big win in a $37K Allowance nailing a crushing Equibase number of 106, this Goldencents filly is worth watching on the board. If her odds start to shoot up, the public will believe her last race to be an aberration, and if it goes down, they don’t. Either way, bet the don’t – especially if her odds go up. It could be a new normal and she has the wherewithal to repeat. #5 Thankful (5/2) – Pletcher/Karmouche hitting 40% winners and along with #4 My Sweet Wife (15/1) and Toned Up (30/1) have all won their last two in a row and are seeking their third. I’m taking a shot with Gale.