Best Bet: Pioneering Spirit can score in Artie Schiller
Sunday’s eighth race at Aqueduct is the $150,000 Artie Schiller Stakes for 3-year-olds and up traveling one mile on the turf course. The scheduled post time is 3:42 p.m. EST.
Click here for Aqueduct entries and results.
No. 1 Pioneering Spirit (7-2) has been unstoppable on firm turf this year for Linda Rice. He defeated similar foes in the Bernard Baruch at 1 1/16 miles under Sunday’s rider Jose Lezcano at Saratoga on Sept. 4. He figures to save ground stalking the pace.
No. 6 Exact Estimate (6-1) was able to hold on at 1 1/8 miles last time, but he was definitely running out of energy in the late going. This flat-mile distance is perfect, and he should work out a decent stalking trip under Irad Ortiz Jr. He seems to be on the improve, and Chad Brown’s colt might offer a hint of value.
No. 5 Jerry the Nipper (9-2) is a consistent New York-bred gelding for Todd Pletcher. He probably fits with these and will try to stalk and pounce under Jose Ortiz.
No. 3 James Aloysius (8-1) moved to the Tom Morley barn and missed by a head on Oct. 19. This might be his best distance.
No. 4 Big Everest (4-1) wired the field in all three of his local turf starts at this distance. He might get brave if able to shake loose early.
Get Jarrod’s Del Mar analysis.
Wagers
No. 1 to win
Trifecta key 1, 3-4-5-6
Trifecta 3-4-5-6, 1, 3-4-5-6
Oct. 16 – Greavette ($21.20), exacta ($52.40)
Oct. 20 – Lady Lithesome ($10), exacta ($29.80), trifecta ($105.80)
Oct. 28 – Easter ($6)
Oct. 31 – Doctor Abbie ($3.40)
Thursday - Masterof the Tunes/Golden Rocket exacta ($38.20)