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Thursday’s Race Recap from Keeneland:
(All odds US)
Keeneland:
Race 1: 3rd@ 2.98/1
Race 8: 5th@ 43.28/1
Race 9: 3rd@ 6.15/1
In Race 1, Healing Waters broke okay but never really contended thereafter, finishing third. In Race 8, Washington’s Union contended the pace at his 43/1 odds and was positioned well on the far turn but tired in the drive. In Race 9, the debuting Copperdrop attended the early pace and was there until the bitter end but wasn’t able to go with the top two giving us our second bronze medal from three selections on the day.
Keeneland hasn’t been kind to us this meet so let’s take a look at Aqueduct’s races for Friday. While we do have rain in the forecast, I see some opportunities to make some money with off-the-turf runners. Sloppy tracks at Aqueduct can be a source of BIG monetary opportunities if you play them right. Let’s get to work!
Belmont at Aqueduct:
Race 6: King Cause - 1 pt win (US Morning Line Odds: 8/1)
The Grade 3 Knickerbocker at a mile and an eighth on the lawn is the lone race I’m handicapping for turf. King Cause gets the nod due to pattern recognition. Trainer Mike Maker has a nice record in these types of Graded turf races. As a matter of fact, last year he won this very race with this very horse at 15/1 odds in gate to wire fashion. Last year King Cause had better form heading into this race, but I feel like he was also facing a better group that included Grade 2 winning Pixelate. Last year, King Cause used a mile on turf handicap prep race at Kentucky Downs to prep for the Grade 3 Knickerbocker and that’s exactly what he exits with his most recent start. King Cause is two for two over this Aqueduct turf course (the only runner in the field that has that on his résumé) and is 3 for 9 at today’s distance - one of only two runners in this field with three wins at the distance. There’s not a ton of speed signed on and Kendrick Carmouche might just take them gate to wire two years in a row.
Best of luck to all our members playing Friday’s races from Aqueduct!