Thursday's Racing Picks 01/09: Aqueduct
After a visit to Gulfstream Park on Wednesday, we come back up north to Aqueduct in New York today for an $62,500 allowance optional claiming race (purse: $75,000) for 4-year-olds and up over one mile on the dirt. The field of 6 will go to gate for race 7 on the 8-race card with an approximate post time of 3:55 p.m. ET.
#1, Playthatfunnymusic, Eric Cancel, 3-1
Playthatfunnymusic is 12-6-5 in 40 career starts and is hot over his last six, finishing in the money in all with four straight victories, including three straight at Aqueduct. He comes into this race in great form for trainer Michael Tannuzzo, who has Eric Cancel aboard. In his last, was fifth at the half mile mark, trailing by seven lengths and flew home as the favorite to win by 2 ¾ in an allowance optional claiming race here on Dec. 13. I’m taking a shot over the heavy favorite. The pick.
#5, Grumps Little Tots, Jose Lezcano, 4-5
The morning-line favorite has the hottest jockey of late aboard in Jose Lezcano. Lezcano has totaled 30 mounts over his last five Aqueduct cards, winning 13 races highlighted by four straight multiple-win days. In his last, Grumps Little Tots finished third in the Grade 3 Discovery Stakes here on Nov. 30. He has finished in the money in four straight with his last win in an allowance race at Saratoga on Aug. 3. He will be right there at the end by taking a shot with another hot horse to try and beat him. Runner-up.
#3, Felix in Fabula, Jorge Vargas, Jr., 6-1
Felix in Fabula also comes into today’s race hot, finishing in the money in 10 of his last 11 starts. He has won two of his last four starts, including an allowance race here on Dec. 6ith by four lengths as the favorite. Jorge Vargas, Jr. takes the reins for trainer Mertkan Kantarmaci. Contender.
#6, Musical America, Kendrick Carmouche, 5-1
Today marks Musical America’s 30th career start (3-8-7) and he enters coming off an allowance optional claiming win at Laurel Park on Dec. 27 by two lengths as the fourth choice. He has finished in the money in four of his last five races and this will be his first race at Aqueduct. In the mix.
PICKS: 1-5-3-6
By Lou Monaco