This week the contest is at Aqueduct where they are running the featured GIII Gotham. There aren’t any prominent Derby contenders in the field but someone could emerge with a huge performance today. Last year I Want Revenge took the New York route to Derby favorite status before an injury knocked him out of the race. The “breakeven” score today is 700 points and the target for excellence is 1,050. Good luck and let’s play!
Race 1: This is an Alw10000s for 4+ at 1m70. I selected Unbridled Danger (ML 10-1) who just posted a wire to wire victory against similar company at 19-1. He draws the rail today and should employ similar tactics. His career record of 74-5-4-11 is problematic but I felt the price was worth the gamble. His victory last time out broke a 28 race losing streak!
The Result: Favored Stungbythestorm wired the field at 6/5 with Unbridled Danger (9-1) just getting up for 2nd over Gentle Edwin (2-1). Unbridled Danger got the most contest points for his 2nd place finish.
Maximum Points: Unbridled Danger 124
Maximum Score: 124
My Score: 124
Race 2: This is a Md25000 for 3+ NY breds at 6f. No clear favorite in this race, I chose longshot Mighty Tuff (ML 12-1) who trailed a strong Msw group back in December. The price will be huge and I’m just taking a shot with the connections of DiPrima and Migliore here.
The Result: Game Token won at 3-1 over the longest shot on the board Muy Guapo (67-1) and Tom Kitten 4-1. Muy Guapo was a first time starter completely ignored in the wagering. My selection had nothing at 44-1.
Maximum Points: Muy Guapo 600
Maximum Score: 724
My Score: 124
Race 3: This is the 109th running of the Fred Cappy Capossela for 3yo at 6f. Two scratches leaves a field of 4 so it will be win-place only. I selected Strapping Groom (ML 12-1) who ships in from Philadelphia Park for trainer John Servis. These runners look virtually identical on paper.
The Result: Casteneda won it as the 6-1 longest shot on the board over Strapping Groom (5/2). The New York bred got the money in an easy victory.
Maximum Points: Casteneda 196
Maximum Score: 920
My Score: 162
Race 4: This is the 117th running of the G3 Toboggan for 3+ at 6f. I selected Driven by Success (ML 6-1) switching to the Pletcher barn from Levine. He was the beaten favorite in his last start against race rival Wall Street Wonder and makes his second start off the layoff.
The Result: Favored Wall Street Wonder won it at 6/5 over Custon for Carlos (2-1) and Driven by Success (6-1). The public was right in this one.
Maximum Points: Wall Street Wonder 94
Maximum Score: 1,014
My Score: 187
Race 5: This is an OC50K/N2X for 4+ at 1m70. I selected Brilliant Son (ML 5-1) who has sprint speed and is stretching out to a route. Speed has been good so far.
The Result: Another formful result as Goldsville scored from off the pace at 2-1 over Half Metal Jacket (7/2) and The Roundhouse (2-1). My selection faded at the top of the stretch at 4-1.
Maximum Points: Star Recruit 123
Maximum Score: 1,137
My Score: 187
Race 6: This is an Msw49k for 3+ f&m NY breds at 1m. I selected La Belle Gabrielle (ML 10-1) who draws in off the also eligible list. She is stretching out and removing the blinkers after being pinched at the start in her last race.
The Result: Longshot Spa City Princess scored at 19-1 in wire to wire fashion over the favorite Lindsay’s Point (7/5) and Nina’s Spirit (10-1). Spa City Princess was making her second career start and had blinkers on and first Lasix. Great handicapping if you found her!
Maximum Points: Spa City Princess 600
Maximum Score: 1,737
My Score: 187
Race 7: This is a Clm15000N2L for 3+ NY breds at 6f. I selected Roma Di Notte (ML 15-1) who breaks from the rail. He is a late runner in a field I thought had a lot of faint hearted front runners. He was steadied in his last effort and should be a big price on the board.
The Result: Felinefelon won at 6-1 over Roma Di Notte (18-1) and Prix de Karakorum (8-1). My selection did close up the rail for second but wasn’t approaching the winner.
Maximum Points: Felinefelon 250
Maximum Score: 1,987
My score: 404
Race 8: This is an Msw48K for 3yo NY bred at 6f. I selected first time starter Pete’s Parley (ML10-1). He shows two consecutive bullet workouts at Aqueduct and has an obscure trainer so I’m hoping for a price.
The Result: A different first time starter won the race as Stormin Bolt (8-1) scored for McLaughlin over Major Star (9/5) and Felice Di Notte (29-1). A nice price on this first timer with a sharp trainer and good workouts at Belmont Park. My selection ran an even fourth at 7-1.
Maximum Points: Stormin Bolt 347
Maximum Score: 2,334
My Score: 404
Race 9: This is a Clm7500N1Y for 4+ at 6f. I selected Hubbard (ML 20-1) who draws outside and has very good early speed. He takes a pretty big class drop into this race and should secure a good early position.
The Result: Big payoffs all across as Wollaston Bay wired the field at 6-1 and longshot closer Api Mohkat was up for second at 60-1! Kiln Creek rounded out the trifecta at 8-1. Api Mohkat got the most points for his second place finish. He was returning from a layoff and had a trainer change to Jeannont. His points were capped at 600. My selection never the front and was done early at 40-1.
Maximum Points: Api Mohkat 600
Maximum Score: 2,934
My Score: 404
Race 10: This is the featured 58th running of the G3 Gotham for 3yo at 1m1/16. Lots of different ways to go in this race but I ended up on Peppi Knows (ML 10-1) who won the Whirlaway at Aqueduct in his last start. I’m not sure if the Whirlaway runners will get respected in here since the big favorite that day (Eightyfiveinafifty) blew the first turn and was eliminated. The lukewarm favorite on the board is Awesome Act who was last seen in the BC Juvenile turf and makes his first start on the dirt today.
The Result: The public was right again as Awesome Act scored impressively at 5/2 over Yawanna Twist (7/2) and Nacho Friend (8-1). Awesome Act got some pretty good splits to track and blew by at the top of the stretch. My selection was near the lead on the backstretch and finished fifth at 7-1
Maximum Points: Awesome Act 320
Maximum score: 3,254
My score: 404
Race 11: This is an Msw49k for 3yo NY breds at 1m. I selected Adirondack Warrior (8-1) who closes from off the pace. The dream is dead for me today but good luck if you are still in contention for the weekly prize!
The Result: Tapped Out Bruno scored easily over Whateverittakes (8-1) and Spicy Steve (5/2). My selection faded badly at 9/2 in a poor effort. That takes care of Road to Kentucky week 4!
Maximum Points: Tapped out Bruno 182
Maximum Score: 3,436
My Score: 404
Summary: Awesome Act showed he has some promise in the Gotham Stakes today. He did get a solid pace to run at which helped his running style. There were quite a few nice prices to be had especially in the maiden races, so the winning score should be over 2,000. If you’re struggling like I am there’s still a long way to go. Keep playing the prices!
The Oracle
