Sunday's Best Bet: Durkin's Call rates the edge in Gander Stakes
Sunday's third race from Aqueduct is the $100,000 Gander Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds traveling one mile on the main track (Post Time - 2:40 p.m. ET).
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#6 DURKIN’S CALL (7-2) struggled in his first four starts in dirt sprints and on turf. He tried one mile on dirt in his last four outings and really turned the corner with a pair of wins, a 2nd, and a show finish. He beat local optional claiming foes at this trip Feb. 1 and Bill Mott takes over the training duties. He was only a neck behind today’s favorite #4 Pipes (9-5) last fall. The latter faced stakes rivals in three of his last four including a runner-up finish in the Damon Runyon at this course/distance late last year.
#5 Kaden’s Courage (3-1) adds blinkers and always finishes in the top three. He is a solid early-pressing contender if he handles today’s added ground. He blew out a three furlong bullet for this March 15.
#3 Kosciuszko (5-2) added blinkers and gamely won a local optional claimer at this distance in the mud Feb. 7. He is probably the one to catch but #1 Captain Frost (6-1) won his last two course/distance starts and will probably show speed from the rail.
#2 Ventus (50-1) was nowhere in his three maiden starts in the slop and looks overmatched.
The Plays:
#6 to win
Exacta 3-5-6/4
Trifecta Key 6/3-4-5
March Best Bet Winners
March 3 - SOLOMINI ($3.40), Exacta ($6.70)
March 8 - MUGARITZ ($6.00), Exacta ($20.90)
March 14 - Beer Slinger/Style Daddy Exacta ($15.20)
March 15 - ROYAL DESCENDENT ($8.40)