Garrity's Sunday Stakes picks Grade 3 races at Aqueduct and Woodbine, the Dark Mirage at Los Alamitos
We have plays in three stakes on this September Sunday: one each in New York, Ontario, and California. We expect fast dirt and firm turf for all three, so let’s go.
Aqueduct, Race 9, 5:13 pm ET
Grade 3 Pebbles Stakes, 1 mile, Turf, 3-Year-Old Fillies
A dozen go in the Pebbles. They’re pretty evenly matched, which makes it a terrific betting race. We like the looks of 1-Majestic Glory, an English-bred filly with an exquisite turf pedigree (by Frankel, out of a Dansili mare), who makes her U.S. debut today after eight starts in the UK. She raced in the big leagues over there, in tough stakes races at Newmarket and Epsom, and we think that the company she faced in those races was almost certainly tougher than what she will face here. She should like the firm Aqueduct turf course, and the rail post should ensure her a good, ground-saving trip. Add it up, and we think Majestic Glory is a major threat to win this, and at 10-1, that makes her a terrific wager. We will bet her to win. The bet: Belmont Park, Race 9, $40 to win on 1-Majestic Glory.
Woodbine, Race 9, 5:22 pm ET
Grade 3 Singspiel Stakes, 1 ⅜ miles, Turf, 3 & Up
The Singspiel drew a field of six. 6-King Vega is a strong play: the Graham Motion trainee comes off a strong win in the Buckland Stakes at Colonial Downs, and here lucks into a marshmallow-soft spot, especially for a Grade 3 stakes, as the other five runners appear pretty we. King Vega has tactical versatility, which is good: he won the Buckland on the lead, but he has run well in the past coming from off the pace; we think a stalking trip is most likely for him today, but however the race unfolds, he is getting his picture taken. We will bet him to win at 6/5. The bet: Woodbine, Race 9, $50 to win on 6-King Vega.
Los Alamitos, Race 9, 7:35 pm ET
$75,000 Dark Mirage Stakes, 1 mile, Dirt, Fillies & Mares 3 & Up
Seven older fillies and mares line up for the Dark Mirage. We like 5-Velvet Slippers, who we think will rebound after pressing a fast pace in her last start, and fading a bit down the stretch to finish a well-beaten third. That was her first real race since January – she was entered in a turf race in May, but threw her rider as soon as the gates opened – and we think it will serve as a good tightener for her today. Look for her to press the pace early, and roll late. We will bet her to win at 3-1. The bet: Los Alamitos, Race 9, $40 to win on 5-Velvet Slippers.
That’s all for today. Until tomorrow, enjoy the racing, be safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.