Wednesday wagers: Three Rivers is the 1 to beat at Aqueduct
A special Wednesday program awaits fans and bettors at the Belmont at the Big A meet, featuring a pair of turf stakes for 2-year-olds. Let’s take a look at five of the 10 events on the card.
Best bet: Three Rivers (Race 4)
Best value bet: Gold Lightning (Race 5)
Race 3
No. 3 Colloquy (4-1) has won three of his last four races, two of those by open lengths, and he could make it 4-for-5 today. The speed figures are competitive, and Javier Castellano sees fit to climb aboard. No. 7 Shadow Dragon (9-5, morning-line favorite) was surprisingly flat vs. similar when last seen, but a repeat of either of his previous two efforts would be good enough to snare this. The cutback and addition of Lasix would seem to aid his chances. No. 1 Aggregation (4-1) adds blinkers for his third start since showing so much promise in 2022. His most recent workout was encouraging.
How I’d bet it (based on a $100 budget): $5 exacta box 3/7, $1 exacta box 1/3/7, $2 exacta 3,7/1
Race 4
No. 2 Three Rivers (7-5, morning-line favorite) has cruised in each of her first two starts, earning speed figures that stamp her as the one to beat even on the class hike. The latest works for Bill Mott are solid. No. 7 Good Sam (8-5) is the main danger for Irad Ortiz Jr. and Chad Brown off back-to-back seconds at this level. She faced short fields each time, but both races came back fast. No. 3 Into Happiness (9-2) has won three straight over cheaper but is fast enough to run with these. Look for her to rally into the exotics late.
How I’d bet it: $10 trifecta 2/7/3, $5 trifecta 7/2/3, $3 trifecta 2/3/7, $2 trifecta 7/3/2
Race 5
No. 4 Gold Lightning (10-1) could get overlooked in the wagering in the Grade 2 Miss Grillo if the morning line is any indication. Her highly rated maiden score at Saratoga, where she closed into a fairly slow pace, stamps her as a win threat, as does the fact she goes out for Brad Cox off a bullet drill. No. 8 Gala Brand (3-1, morning-line favorite) is a logical alternative based on her 2-for-2 record, which includes a triumph in the With Anticipation (G3). She could add to what might be a big afternoon for Mott. No. 6 Camila T (6-1) crushed turf sprinters at first asking at Monmouth. This is a tougher spot, but the sky could be the limit here.
How I’d bet it: $8 win 4, $4 exacta box 4/8, $2 exacta 4,8/6
Dirt picks: 4-2-1
Race 6
No. 3 Proven Hope (4-1) ran huge in defeat two back at Monmouth and posted speed figures at Aqueduct last winter that would put him in the hunt here. No. 6 Dee’s Speedstre (5-2, morning-line favorite) has developed a case of seconditis, with three straight runner-up results, which includes coughing up a three-length lead at Saratoga two back. However, he is a logical win candidate considering the dubious résumés of most of his rivals. No. 8 El de Chimi (6-1) was a decent second at Monmouth when last seen but needs to step it up a bit figure-wise.
How I’d bet it: $10 exacta box 3/6
Race 7
No. 7 Triple Espresso (4-1) debuted in the Kitten’s Joy Stakes at Colonial for Todd Pletcher last month, and despite a dawdling start, the son of Omaha Beach came flying home for second. Look for him to atone in the Pilgrim (G2) under Jose Ortiz with a smooth voyage. No. 8 Fulmineo (5-1) blew away maidens at Colonial in his initial turf try for Arnaud Delacour, who names arguably the best grass rider in the country in Flavien Prat to ride. No. 5 B D Saints (8-1) bossed state-bred maidens in gate-to-wire style last time out. Look for this son of Laoban to take them a long way under Kendrick Carmouche.
How I’d bet it: $8 exacta box 7/8, $2 exacta 7,8/5
Dirt picks: 7-3-6
Robert Criscola is a free-lance handicapper based in New York.