HRN Saturday stakes picks: Aqueduct's Red Smith and more
Handicapping for the year doesn't have to end with the Breeders' Cup.
The Horse Racing Nation crew is back with selections for a trio of graded stakes coast on Saturday. Also check out our video analysis of the late Pick 5 at Laurel Park.
Best of luck!
Grade 3, $200,000 Red Smith Handicap (3:47 p.m. ET at Aqueduct)
Jeffrey Byrnes, Byrnzzze's Corner (@jeffbyrnes96)
Winner: #5 Oscar Nominated
On the board: #2 Money Multiplier, #12 Messi
Longshot I like: #7 Spring Quality
Analysis: Oscar Nominated ships in to Aqueduct off a second in the Canadian International. He maybe 1-for-8 this year, but he has been consistent and held his own against tougher company. His resume is among the best, and getting Jose Ortiz is a huge plus to his chances to win. With a nice stalking position and not getting too rank, Oscar Nominated has the capability to turn in a winning performance on Saturday at Aqueduct.
Nick Costa, Trackside with Trackman
Winner: #2 Money Multiplier
On the board: #5 Oscar Nominated, #9 Hunter O’ Riley
Longshot I like: #10 Call Provision
Analysis: Money Multiplier is dropping out of G1/G2 races and boasts dangerous jockey/trainer team. Oscar Nominated is in excellent form right now. Hunter O’Riley has been hampered by foot issues, but he’s capable of winning on his best day. Call Provision is undefeated on Aqueduct grass, and has won three-times at the distance.
Jarrod Horak, winninghorsepicks.com (@jchorak)
Winner: #9 Hunter O'Riley
On the board: #10 Call Provision, #2 Money Multiplier
Longshot I like: #5 Oscar Nominated
Analysis: Hunter O'Riley has two wins this year and both were turf marathon victories off a layoff.
The Plays: #9 to win, Exacta 9/2-5-10, Exacta 2-5-10/9, Trifecta 2-9-10/ALL/5
Jonathan Lintner (@JonathanLintner)
Winner: #2 Money Multiplier
On the board: #3 Get Jets, #5 Oscar Nominated
Longshot I like: St. Louie
Analysis: Money Multiplier looks much the best at this level. Get Jets was full of run late in his last start and shouldn’t mind going longer here. Oscar Nominated is nearing the end of a grueling campaign but has contended in tougher fields.
Grade 3, $100,000 Bob Hope Stakes (5:34 p.m. ET at Del Mar)
Jeffrey Byrnes, Byrnzzze's Corner (@jeffbyrnes96)
Winner: #5 Beautiful Shot
On the board: #4 Run Away, #2 Mourinho
Longshot I like: #6 Italiano
Analysis: Beautiful Shot has a chance at going 3-for-3 in his young career Saturday. Beautiful Shot proved some doubters wrong when he scored an easy win in the Speakeasy Stakes last month at Santa Anita. He broke in the back and let a speed duel up front unfold, and swept by the field to win going away. The same scenario come come in Saturday. With Run Away and Mourinho the expected pace setters, look for a speed duel between the two and for a closer like Beautiful Shot to take advantage. With an expected fast pace, look for a beautiful shot of Beautiful Shot in the winner's circle.
Nick Costa, Trackside with Trackman
Winner: #2 Mourinho
On the board: #3 Run Away, #5 Beautiful Shot
Longshot I like: #1 Greyvitos
Analysis: Mourinho is very fast and as Baffert removes the blinkers (26% win rate), the young colt could be long gone. Run Away is a G2 winner whose lone defeat in five career races came against Bolt D’Oro. Beautiful Shot is 2-for-2 and ran down the top choice last month. Greyvitos finished well last start, and is eligible to improve second off the layoff
Jarrod Horak, winninghorsepicks.com (@jchorak)
Winner: #2 Mourinho
On the board: #5 Beautiful Shot, #3 Run Away
Longshot I like: #4 Here Is Happy
Analysis: Mourinho removes blinkers, and that is a winning move for Bob Baffert. He has better spacing between starts and catches a more favorable pace scenario this time.
The Plays: #2 to win, Exacta 2-5, Trifecta Key 2/3-5
Jonathan Lintner (@JonathanLintner)
Winner: #5 Beautiful Shot
On the board: #3 Run Away, #2 Mourinho
Longshot I like: None
Analysis: This pretty clearly looks like a three-horse race, with Bob Baffert already forced to tinker with Mourinho, taking blinkers off after disappointing as the favorite last time out. Beautiful Shot looks like the best candidate to continue improving and move his record to 3-for-3.
Grade 3, $100,000 Commonwealth Turf (5:36 p.m. ET at Churchill Downs)
Jeffrey Byrnes, Byrnzzze's Corner (@jeffbyrnes96)
Winner: #8 Giant Payday
On the board: #6 Mr. Misunderstood, #3 Mr.Cub
Longshot I like: #5 Gorgeous Kitten
Analysis: Giant Payday has rounded into form nicely over his last three races, including a win in the Mystic Lake Derby. Giant Payday will need pace to get going, but when he is asked to go, expect to see him fly from mid-pack. Giant Payday comes into this race off a bullet work and looks primed to win his first graded stakes race.
Nick Costa, Trackside with Trackman
Winner: #5 Gorgeous Kitten
On the board: #6 Mr. Misunderstood, #8 Giant Payday
Longshot I like: #1 Tiz A Slam
Analysis: Gorgeous Kitten had legit excuses his last three starts. Hard to find fault with Mr. Misunderstood who has won six of his last seven. Giant Payday was no match for previous horse when they met last race. Tiz A Slam is probably better on synthetics, but has won on turf.
Jarrod Horak, winninghorsepicks.com (@jchorak)
Winner: #3 Mr Cub
On the board: #6 Mr. Misunderstood, #8 Giant Payday
Longshot I like: #5 Gorgeous Kitten
Analysis: Mr Cub has improved since adding blinkers and might get brave if he is able to sneak away early in a race without much early pace.
The Plays: #3 to win, Exacta 3-5-8/6, Trifecta 3-5-6/ALL/8