Napoleon Solo (7/1) got the job done at Pimlico. Right horse, right price — the kind of result that reminds you why he is the Conductor and we are not worthy. Thank you Mr. Ductor for my weekend coal, you are the greatest. Up to New York we go, Skip.
1) 1,6 / 2
2) 2,3 / 4,5
3) 1 / 6,7
4) 5,4 / 7
5) 1,3,4 / 2
6) 5,10 / 3,4,6,7
7) 2,3,5 / 6,9
8) 5,6 / 1,4
The Conductor will be staying at NYRA for the time being. The product is what it is, the takeout is what it is, and there are a lot of things that kick horseplayers in the dick, but at least NYRA is doing a little something. The late Pick 5 is allegedly CAW-free, and that matters.
1) 3 / 6,7
2) 1,3 / 2,6
3) 1,3 / 2,7
4) 1 / 2,3
5) 1,6 / 2,4,5
6) 5 / 2,8
7) 5 / 1,3,7
8) 6,9 / 1,3,4
9) 1,5 / 9,10,12
Good Luck, Passengers.
A poor finishing day at Keeneland with the chalk dominating means the Conductor isn’t headed to Louisville just yet. He like the card at Aqueduct as long as the races stay on the turf.
Let’s have a prosperous day in New York
The Conductor is longing for the spring when turf racing returns to New York. Make sure you’re locked and loaded at Iron Bets before then. The dirt product is decent Friday with bigger fields the latter half of the card. Let’s pick up some coal on the east coast. Skip.
#6 My Angel (2/1) – This mare was well bet off over a year layoff last time going 6 furlongs. She showed speed after a slow start and made a little move on the backstretch entering the turn. She draws a great outside post in a small field and will be more fit with that race under her belt. The Conductor expects her to improve today and beat his field of proven losers.
#6 Blame It On Daddy (8/1) – This gelding popped switching to the dirt last time. The Conductor doesn’t think there was anything fluky about that effort. He sees him repeating that race with a favorable outside stalking trip today. Daddy didn’t like the grass, he wants to dig his victories out of the dirt.
#6 Wind Dancer (8/1) – This gelding made an early and wide move into a quick pace last time going 7 furlongs. He rightfully tired late and now he shortens in distance. Making just his third start on a fast dirt track today, Wind Dancer has upside.
One more sleep until opening day at Keeneland, but today’s Aqueduct card ain’t too shabby. Never pass up an opportunity to scoop up some coal on the way to Lexington. Skip.
#6 Arrabato (5/1) – Dropping in class 2nd off the bench, he’s the only horse in here that wants to be on the lead. He looks a little weak on speed figures, but the Conductor has question marks on the horses who will have to run him down. Arrabato goes gate to wire today.
#6 Palm Tree (6/1) – This gelding showed talent last year and ran well in his comeback race last time at Kentucky Downs. He closed strongly into a slow pace, and that race looks to set him up perfectly to run a career best effort today. Palm Tree gets a rider upgrade to Dettori as well.
*Gullet Shot of the Day #9 Pretty Liza (8/1) – This filly impressed the Conductor in her debut. She was rank early while in tight behind horses and checked sharply on backstretch. She never settled, fought Saez on the turn, and still just missed at the wire. The Conductor likes that they put blinkers on her today and she’ll have learned a lot from last time. Pretty Liza would be a double gullet shot if she didn’t draw an outside post.
The sun is shining in Southern California and the Conductor is salivating at this opening weekend card. He’s had enough of Aqueduct. Time to leave the east coast in his rear view. Skip.
#4 War Like Goddess (8/5) – This mare continues to get screwed by pace-less NYRA turf races. She looks to get a fair setup today and always comes with her big run late. The Conductor sees a repeat of last year’s Joe Hirsch Turf Classic.
#2 Flying Mohawk (6/1) – This colt took a nice step forward last time with a poor trip at Kentucky Downs. He looks to be the controlling speed in this race and that makes him very dangerous. He’ll be the one to catch as they turn for home.
#3 Without Caution (8/1) – This colt won nicely on debut and was then well bet in a stakes race last time. He lost all chance that day after being slammed at the start. He’s another horse that looks to get an ideal trip today up close to a slow pace. The Conductor sees him running a career best effort.
#2 Ragtime Rose (10/1) – This filly closed well against the flow off the bench last time. Now 2nd off the layoff and getting an extra furlong, the Conductor thinks this is her race to win. It’s always a bonus to have Berrios in the saddle.
*Gullet Shot of the Day #10 Golden Canary (8/1) – This filly exits a dominant win at Woodbine and ships in for the red hot Mark Casse barn. The Conductor loves the invaders taking on the weak California turf horses. The Conductor thinks she’s the most likely winner at a juicy number.
#6 Trikari (8/1) – The Conductor doubts we’ll get 8/1 on the classiest horse in the field, but 4/1 or better is fair. This colt continues to progress and has beaten much better horses than the heavy favorite #3 Johannes (4/5). Trikari should get an ideal trip stalking Johannes and be ready to pounce as they enter the stretch.
Aqueduct, Keeneland, and Santa Anita will all be running next week. Get your rest in while you can, passengers. Skip.
#3 Route Sensation (6/1) – The Conductor doesn’t see #5 Stunner (6/5) losing this race. However, we can still make some money with a 5/3 exacta. Route Sensation showed she has ability on debut, finishing 3rd after a terrible start and trip. She adds blinkers today and will take a big step forward with that education last time. The Conductor is looking for the exacta to pay 8/1 or better.
#2 She Takes Cash (8/1) – This filly ran well last time routing. She made a nice move to take the lead, but just couldn’t get the distance. Now she cuts back to a turf sprint for the first time and gets an ideal inside draw. Versus weak field of fillies today, the Conductor sees her working out an ideal pocket trip and taking the cash at a square price.
*Gullet Shot of the Day #1 Busy Morning (15/1) – This mare won nicely last time without a perfect trip. She was 2-wide and 3-wide on the turns and still finished off her race closing into a moderate pace. She gets an ideal rail draw today and the Conductor questions the ability of many of the contenders in here to get this distance. Busy Morning is bred to go long on the turf and the Conductor has no doubt she’ll be finishing late. With a pace that looks to be quick early, she has a chance to light up the tote.
1/4 Saturday with a 2/1 winner is not what the Conductor ordered. However, today’s late pick 5 sequence has him chomping at the bit. Let’s end the weekend in style. Skip.
#2 Supers Lucky Lady (8/1) – This filly’s best race came in her lone start routing last year. Now after three solid turf sprints, they finally stretch her back out to a route. Her early speed is mighty dangerous in a race without much other pace.
#9 Gram (5/1) – This filly made a nice 5-wide uncovered move in her first try routing last time. She draws another outside post today, but gets a major rider upgrade from Rosario to Davis. The Conductor thinks this filly has upside if Davis can work out a fair trip.
*Gullet Shot of the Day #3 Off Ramp (6/1) – This mare has improved since moving into the Joe Sharp barn and switching to the turf. She won nicely two back and ran evenly behind a slow pace at Kentucky Downs last time. Now she gets back to a more traditional turf course and looks to get an ideal pocket trip today. Over 4/1 is fair for the Conductor.
#10 Red Burgundy (6/1) – This filly set a scorching pace last time vs tougher and ran well to not completely fold late. She may have bled that day too, as she now gets Lasix for the first time. She’ll be all alone on the lead today, and will every chance to wire them if Santana can set a moderate pace. There aren’t any monsters that are trying to run her down.
No Mo Candy saved Friday for the Conductor, scoring at 10/1. Let’s continue the momentum this weekend. Keep stacking that coal. Skip.
#2 Anaconda (7/2) – This horse ran a solid closing 4th off a year layoff over a speed biased Kentucky Downs turf course last time. He’s facing a weaker group today and looks to get an ideal pocket trip. The Conductor sees him winning this race for fun.
#7 Gallant Greta (5/2) – This morning line is a bit low for the Conductor, but she may float up to the 3/1, 7/2 range. Her first start routing on the turf last time was much better than it looks on paper. She was checked hard out of the gate, rank into the first turn, and had to wait behind horses entering stretch. Gallant Greta overcame all that and was still finishing best late. With a clean trip today, she should beat this group.
#1 Ocean Club (7/2) – This filly ran a solid 3rd closing behind a slow pace sprinting last time. That effort was a against G2 company and this is a much weaker group. Stretching out to a mile today, she’ll be forwardly placed in a race without much early pace. Another easy winner for the Conductor.
#4 Out too Late (9/2) – This filly is steadily progressing with each start. She ran a good 2nd at Saratoga last time. She was covered 3-wide on the turn and finished well with the closer flow. Despite being with the flow, she was consistently bumped by the inside horse, #5 Shoplifting, who both showed grit to not give up. Out too Late should run a career best effort today.
Not the greatest Thursday for the Conductor, but we weren’t far off. We’re still seeing the ball well and ready collect some coal heading into the weekend. Let’s Ride.
#5 Nod to Tran (8/1) – This colt showed nice visual move on debut, wheeling out wide entering the stretch. He’s running out of a small barn, so that performance won’t get the credit it deserves. That’s good for us passengers. He has talent and will be an overlay today.
*Gullet Shot of the Day #3 Highestdistinction (5/1) – This gelding had an impossible turf trip off the bench last time. He pressed a scorching pace while wide and rightfully tired early. He should improve off that effort and will get an ideal trip here as the lone speed. Highestdestinction doesn’t like to settle for 2nd when he’s in a battle down the stretch.
#3 Shaman Princess (10/1) – This filly has shown early speed in her two starts this year. Now she drops in class and returns to the Aqueduct turf course, where she broke her maiden. This is a weak field and inside speed has led to big prices at this meet. Shaman Princess is a serious gate to wire threat.
#2 No Mo Candy (10/1) – The filly is a new shooter in a field of average allowance horses. She’s run two solid races over synthetic and now will try going long on the grass for the first time. She’s bred to be a mower and looks to get an ideal ground saving trip up close to, or setting a moderate pace today. The Conductor sees the public cursing Saffie Joseph after this one.
