3/16/18
By Shawn Rychling
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all of our Irish friends – and aren’t we all Irish on this day – out there in the New York racing world.
We are inching closer to the Kentucky Derby with a pair of preps this week. The Rebel will take place at Oaklawn Park and the Jeff Ruby Stakes at Turfway Park.
Last week at Aqueduct we saw the Grade 3 Gotham won by Enticed and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin upsetting Free Drop Billy and Firenze Fire.
As the weather warms – and we hope it does at some point – we have the Grade 2 Wood Memorial in early April as the final NYRA prep for the Derby. In the meantime, let’s take a look at the late Pick 4 for Saturday which will include the Saturday @NYHotList Pick 3 Special in races 7 thru 9.
6th race – (3) Phantomofthefrost is one of only two with experience in this field and it was a debut effort from which he is eligible move forward. (7) Irish Creed is appropriately named for the day and barn is 27 percent with first-time starters. (1) Retonova goes out for 19 percent debut barn. (2) Ready to Escape has been working well for career debut.
7th race – (1) Nobody Move goes first off the claim for 32 percent barn. (8) Mr. Buff makes a habit of hitting the board and last two speed figures are competitive with this group. (3) Backyard Heaven looks like the one to beat. (4) Eastport may improve for new barn.
8th race – (6) Startwithsilver loves Aqueduct and has won three in a row. She is a possible single in here. (5) Quezon has won two in a row and they have been over the new Big A main track and she has hit the board in six straight. (3) Sounds Delicious steps up while in good form. (9) Bluegrass Flag has run well over a similar surface. (1) Nisha is 2 for 2 over the new Big A main track.
9th race – (8) Croatia moved forward smartly last time after dropping into the claim ranks and now tumbles a couple notches in price. (1) Barefoot Angel was a close-up second last time out and is eligible to move forward in this spot. (2) Port Arch enters off a pair of second-place finishes. (7) Tammany Giant has run faster than his last two tries.
The Grid:
A B C
Race 6 3, 7 1 2
Race 7 1, 3, 8 x 4
Race 8 6 5 1, 3, 9
Race 9 8 1, 2 7
Best of luck. Find out how to get all our Hot List analysis at Interbets.com.