Expert Horse Racing Picks – Full Card from Aqueduct

Padding Your Bankroll: Wednesday January 13

While we continue to attempt to pad our bankroll in the frozen tundra known as the inner track at Aqueduct, there is a new track coming into focus starting on Friday.

Oaklawn Park kicks off its sprig meeting on Friday, and the Arkansas track is becoming a fashionable spot for trainers to send their talented three year olds.

The feature race of the meeting is the Arkansas Derby, which will be run this year on Saturday, April 10.

Among the past winners of the race are Curlin, Lawyer Ron, Afleet Alex, and Smarty Jones.

There are two key preps for the Arkansas Derby to keep an eye on.

The first is the Southwest Stakes on Feb. 15. The other is the Rebel Stakes on March 13.

The opening day feature on Friday is the Dixie Belle Stakes for three year old fillies going six furlongs.

Over the next three months, Oaklawn Park will be an excellent option for horseplayers looking for quality racing and large fields.

For the next couple of days, we will just have to slum it at the Big A:

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Today’s Pick 3 Play from Aqueduct:

Starting in Race 7: $1: 1,9 / 1,3,4 / 4,11,12,13 = $24

AQU Race 7 OClm $25,000N1X (3:20 ET)
#1 Smart Enuf, #9 Of All Times

#1 Smart Enuf earned the top last out speed fig in a fourth place finish versus $25K non winners of three going a mile on the inner, his first start on dirt since July. The third place finisher in the race was Dakota Dunes, who returned to beat $25K non winners of three in his next outing on Jan. 1. Blinkers go on as he returns to the NY bred ranks here. A repeat of his last effort puts him in the mix here as the likely favorite.

#9 Of All Times beat open $7.5K claimers last out for the Levine barn and was claimed out of the race by the Chatterpaul barn that is 4 for 12 (with a +ROI) first off the claim. The nine year old was beaten just a neck two back going long on turf for a $16K tag and looks capable of handling the stretch out. I don’t like backing runners leaving the Levine barn often but the gelding does have four wins on the inner and might get overlooked in this spot.

AQU Race 8 Alw $43,000N1X (3:49 ET)
#4 Tranquil Manner, #1 Ricoriatoa, #3 Web Gem

#4 Tranquil Manner was off a step slow and made a good late rally to finish in the runner up spot last out in the mud, beaten a half length for the top spot. The colt is making his third start of his current form cycle for the McLaughlin barn and the colt broke his maiden on the inner back in January with a last to first move. He looks like he is sitting on a good one here and just needs to see some pace in front of him.

#1 Ricoriatoa is returning off a two month break and making his first start for the Galluscio barn that is 26% winners (with a +ROI) first off the claim. The gelding was not a threat last out in the slop in a sixth place finish for a $60K tag. The winner of that race was Mt. Glittermore, who beat Alw-3 optional claimers in his next outing on Dec. 30. The runner up Mannington also won next out, taking a $40K claimer on Jan. 3 at Gulfstream Park. Draws the rail and has enough early zip to be in the mix early.

AQU Race 9 Md $15,000 (4:18 ET)
#12 Authentic Shot, #4 Say Hay Dixie, #13 Dreary Day, #11 Pronto Pronto

#12 Authentic Shot is returning off a 2 1/2 month break for the Donk barn with the blinkers coming off. The filly showed good early speed in both of her starts but no finishing power, beaten double digit lengths in both starts. She finds what looks like an easier spot here and with the hood off may be more relaxed and she may appreciate the switch to the more speed friendly inner surface.

#4 Say Hay Dixie invades from Finger Lakes where she came up short seven times but did land in the money in five of her efforts. She was off slowly last out in a third pale finish versus maiden special weight company when cutting back from a route. She looks like a good fit here although the barn has been cold at the meet (0 for 13).

Price Plays From Aqueduct:
These are price plays to watch today. A small win-place wager is in order or if your pockets are deep enough, use these runners in your trifecta and Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers. One or two of these could be the difference between a regular day at the track and hitting the IRS window with a signer.

R1: #7 Sun Shower 12/1
R1: #4 French Song 8/1
R3: #3 Brook Dance 8/1
R4: #8 Bella Uno 10/1
R5: #5 Thunder Reigns 20/1
R6: #2 Game Token 10/1
R7: #6 Prince Raffie 10/1

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