Friday at Aqueduct and Fairgrounds

As the temperature begins to warm here in the Midwest, albeit marginally, we look at races at Aqueduct and Fairgrounds.

Aqueduct Race 8 {1 mile 70 yards~3 year old Up~NY~Allowance}
An interestingly competitive race were a number of horses could fire well. Vinnie Van Go (Cohen / Contessa) might have a very slight edge. He has good speed numbers across the board, has trained toward a peaking performance, and has progressively improved over the course of the last three races. Longing for Malibu (Alvarado / Conway) has the highest speed number at the distance and has two quality work outs leading up to this race. Jimmy Vegas (Napravnik / Rice) should be the chief competition. He is a coupled entry with Hue and Cry (Napravnik / Rice). Depending on which horse goes to the gate they will both be ready under Trainer, Linda Rice's tutelage. It would appear that J.L. Bernstein (Espinoza / Schettino) has the best shot at rounding out the top four finishers. He has a nice last out speed number and has two good works under his hooves. Let's play Aqueduct.

$2 SHOW: #3 Vinnie Van Go
10 CENT Superfecta: #3 Vinnie Van Go / #8 Longing for Malibu / #1 Jimmy Vegas / #2 J.L. Bernstein.

Fairgrounds Race 8 {5 1/2 furlongs~Turf~3 year old Up~Allowance}
The Fairgrounds Race Course is one of the best venues of the Winter season. Unfortunately, many times you don't know whether they will keep races on the Turf when the conditions call for it. Hopefully they will keep this one on the turf. This Turf sprint will be an extremely competitive one. We like Unbridle's Dream (Bridgmohan / Asmussen) despite his long 300 day layoff. Trainer, Steve Asmussen, has this guy ready with solid, peaking type workouts. He knows how to spot his charges. His last race, back in January of this year, he faced tougher in an ungraded stakes race at Fairgrounds and finished third. Like his chances here. Perfect Easter (Albarado / Nicks) looks exceptionally strong with a good last out speed number and works. Northern Prince (Graham / Margolis) looks to be well prepared for this race with solid works. Nickle Pickle (Lanerie / Smithwick) looks very formidable too, though this will be his tenth race of the year. He has a good last out speed number and decent works. Let's play Fairgrounds.

$2 SHOW: #4 Unbridle's Dream
10 CENT Superfecta: #4 Unbridle's Dream / #2 Perfect Easter / #1 Northern Prince / #7 Nickle Pickle

Thursday's Results
Fairgrounds R8. The race was moved off the Turf. Our pick, Better Than Swiss, finished 5th. We did not play a 10 Cent Superfecta as two of our choices scratched.
Bankroll has dipped to the lowest level in months, $7.10.
With good racing luck we will have a better run this weekend.