Monday's Best Bet: Southern King can reign supreme in Damon Runyon
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Monday's seventh race from Aqueduct is the $100,000 Damon Runyon Stakes for New York-bred 2-year-olds traveling one mile on the main track (Post Time - 3:47 p.m. ET).
#3 SOUTHERN KING (4-1) owns the best late pace ratings, and his speed figures are on the rise. He graduated at this course/distance Nov. 15 and was an okay third for Eric Cancel and Todd Pletcher in a New York-bred optional claiming race at one mile on Dec. 9. He worked a solid half mile for this Dec. 23.
#5 Beachside (4-1) fell too far behind and checked in a bit less than two lengths behind Southern King last time. Promising colt Le General dominated that race throughout, and Beachside’s entry mate Just Right (common ownership) was in chase mode and held the place. He stalked the pace and defeated Not That Brady at this course/distance Nov. 10 and can compete here if he can run that type of race.
#2 Not That Brady (8-5) jumped up and earned quality numbers in a romping, front-running maiden victory at this course/distance on Dec. 8. He did not show that kind of ability in his first three starts and must prove that he can do it again at much lower odds against winners. He has clearly improved at this distance and is probably the one to catch.
#6 La Fuerza (5-2) is 4-for-7 for Todd Pletcher and he looked good winning the Notebook Stakes in the mud Nov. 25. He owns running style versatility and gets a distance test in this affair.
#1 Pipes (8-1) hooked aforementioned Pletcher runner Just Right Nov. 11 and ended up 2nd that day. He is slowly improving and should sit a decent ground saving stalking trip but will have to run faster to compete here.
#4 Invaluable Will (20-1) makes his first start beyond six panels. He showed speed in his debut at Finger Lakes (lone fast track start) and might be aggressively handled in this longer event.
The Plays:
#3 to winExacta Box 3-5
Exacta 3-5/2-6
Trifecta Key 2/3-5-6
December 2018 Best Bet Winners:
Dec. 2 - Kingsport/Silent Poet Exacta ($18.10), Trifecta ($38.10)
Dec. 3 - WONDERFULLY TUNED ($8.00)
Dec. 4 - PAYNES PRAIRIE ($11.40)
Dec. 5 - SIGHTS AND SOUNDS ($11.00)
Dec. 6 - Microrithms/I Am the Danger Exacta ($14.20)
Dec. 9 - Pumpkin Rumble/Melmich Exacta ($12.60), Trifecta ($26.30)
Dec. 10 - RATE FOR ME ($21.00)
Dec. 11 - Freedom Hill/Libertarian Exacta ($31.50)
Dec. 12 - STRAITOUTTAPOPCORN ($5.40), Trifecta ($42.60)
Dec. 15 - Forgotten Hero/Sassy Agnes Exacta ($16.20)
Dec. 16 - BLINDWILLIE MCTELL ($7.50), Exacta ($18.40)
Dec. 21 - TITLE READY ($6.20)
Dec. 22 - NAME CHANGER ($8.40)
Dec. 26 - SPICED PERFECTION ($12.80)
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