Garrity's Sunday Stakes picks Winter Memories, Artie Schiller at Aqueduct, Bet on Sunshine at Churchill Downs
We have three plays on this chilly late fall Sunday, two on turf in New York, and one on dirt in Kentucky. Let’s go.
Aqueduct, Race 6, 2:44 pm ET
$135,000 Winter Memories Stakes, 1 1/16 mile, Turf, 3-Year-Old Fillies
They’re on the turf for two stakes today at the Big A, the first of which is the Winter Memories, which drew a field of ten 3-year-old fillies. We’re expecting the grass to be yielding, and that is a key factor in assessing the entrants, as a couple of otherwise logical contenders appear likely to struggle over the soft going. One who will thrive, we think, is 10-Parnac, a French-bred filly whose best race since being brought to the U.S. was a runner-up finish in an allowance race at Saratoga on August 27. The turf that day was rated good, and the ground today will be softer than that, but she has the looks to us of a filly who is better the softer the ground gets. She began her career by winning two races in Germany on similar ground to what she should get today; we think Parnac takes the Winter Memories with a strong late rally. We will bet her to win at 8-1. The bet: Aqueduct, Racd 6, $40 to win on 10-Parnac.
Aqueduct, Race 8, 3:43 pm ET
$135,000 Artie Schiller Stakes, 1 mile, Turf, 3 & Up
The Artie Schiller drew a field of ten. The pick is 7-Pao Alto, who has been pretty good, without winning, in two starts since being brought to New York from France this summer. We partly like him because of the conditions – he should relish the yielding turf – and partly because he should be primed for a top effort in his third start on this side of the pond. We will bet him to win at 6-1. The bet: Aqueduct, Race 8, $40 to win on 7-Pao Alto.
Churchill Downs, Race 9, 5:05 pm ET
$300,000 Bet on Sunshine Stakes, 6 furlongs, Dirt, 3 & Up
The Bet on Sunshine, which will be run over a fast track, drew a field of ten.
On paper, the race looks like it will produce a speed duel, as several of the runners are need-the-lead types, and the battle for early supremacy should leave them all out of gas down the stretch. Picking up the pieces should be 3-Surveillance, who has been running well of late without actually winning: He has a second and four thirds in his last five starts – but who we think has an excellent chance at pulling off the upset. At 20-1, that makes him an excellent play; we will bet him to win. The bet: Churchill Downs, Race 9, $40 to win on 3-Surveillance.
That’s all for today. Until the next time, enjoy the racing, be safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.