Aqueduct: Saturday, 2/26, Plays - Pete's Picks

Little Pete
Feb 26, 2022
5 min read

We have a chilly afternoon of racing at Aqueduct, but we are locked in to cashing some tickets. I will be looking to take down the early double (Races 1-2) and a middle pick 3 ( Races 4-6 ). Big Pete will have his full

breakdown on his "Play of the Day" and the late pick 3 (Races 7-9). We appreciate you taking a look at this write-up and GOOD LUCK.

Little Pete's $1.00 Early Double:

R1: 1, 4, 5

R2: 1, 4, 5, 8

Cost: $12.00

Little Pete's $ 1.00 Spot Pick 3:

R4: 1, 6, 8

R5: 2, 6, 7, 9

R6: 2, 4, 6, 9

Cost: $48.00

Big Pete's $ 1.00 Late Pick 3:

R7: 1, 2, 4

R8: 1, 2, 4

R9: 3, 5, 6, 8

Cost: $ 36.00

Little Pete's Early Double:

Race 1:

The entries look like a tough beat in here, but I will be try with (4) Linarite and (5) Frosty Invasion. (4) Linarite is coming into this one with a decent debut and should improve in this effort. I think that Jorge Vargas will sit behind an early pace battle and let this horse run her strongest late. (5) Frosty Invasion will be forwardly placed in this one under Dylan Davis and this weak field may have a tough time catching late.

$3.00 Ex 4,5 w/ 1,4,5 Cost: $12.00

$3.00 WPS 4 Cost: $9.00

Race 2:

(1) It's Mandatory is going to have some early speed and the inside post will only benefit this horse late with a late kick. (4) Forever Wicked is a horse that I really like in here to be closing strongly down the stretch and this lower level field may be tiring big time late. (5) Profusion is a horse that likes to be on the lead and Cancel will not mess around in this one. (8) Lokoya Road is my last play to have saved ground throughout and have a late kick down the stretch under Manny Franco.

$5.00 WPS 4 Cost: $15.00

Big Pete's "Play of the Day":

Race 3:

With Big Brown Shoes out, (7) REGGAE MUSIC MAN won’t have to deal with that one. Reggae has back to back big figs and loses weight today. I’m looking for a Re-Pete of that today. The Cobbler faces winners for the first time so it’s a perfect bet against.

$ 7.00 WPS 7 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex Box 4, 6, 7 Cost $ 18.00

Little Pete's Spot Pick 3:

Race 4:

(1) Pal's Ally has the post position and will be on the lead throughout in this one. At this lower level field, that may be where the winner will be running. (6) Kay Tee Gal is going to improve second time out from the Pletcher barn and I trust Carmouche to find the lane late with this one. My last play will be (8) Ice Krem Sundae for the clever name and a nice workout coming in. I think the apprentice will be hugging the rail throughout and have a horse ready to run late.

$3.00 WPS 6 Cost: $9.00

$2.00 Ex Box 1,6,8 Cost: $12.00

Race 5:

(2) Strapped and (9) Mystic Quest are stablemates from the Pletcher barn and I have to include both firsters in this one. I also need to include the Chad Brown horse, (6) Highly Respected, as this horse has been training well and looks to be forward placed throughout. My last play will be an improved effort from (7) Fluid Situation who was on the lead early in his debut and faltered late, but I think improves second time out.

$3.00 WPS 9 Cost: $9.00

$2.00 Ex 2,9 w/ 2,6,7,9 Cost: $12.00

$1.00 Ex 6,7 w/ 2,6,7,9 Cost: $6.00

Race 6:

(2) Perceived had a no doubter last time out and the inside post position gives this horse the advantage to (4) Rock Sugar in this one. I like both of these horses in here to be the speed and may end up being a two horse race late. (6) Group Hug will keep these two in check and have a say late down the stretch if the early pace is fast. (9) Dangerous Edge is another horse who likes to be forwardly placed and if this races breaks down late, then I like where this horse should be to close strongly down the stretch.

$3.00 WPS 2 Cost: $9.00

$2.00 Ex 2,4 w/ 2,4,6,9 Cost: $12.00

$1.00 Ex 6,9 w/ 2,4,6,9 Cost: $6.00

Big Pete's Late Pick 3:

Race 7:

Pletcher has a pair of aces that the others must deal with. Most will look at (1A) SOUND MONEY as the better half because of his blow out win last time. That was impressive but now he moves up and stretches out. I prefer the other, (1) RISK TAKING, to wake up here. He was well regarded when he started his career and something went wrong. His return in Aug may have been too soon but he still managed a sneaky good 4th. I’m expecting a glimpse of his old self today. (2) ZOOMER has had the moving van outside his stall as he’s been claim multiple times. He has managed to stay sound and his last is his best yet. (4) TOO BOSS shows up here in the Pletcher barn. He’s handled this Aqueduct surface last year and faced a good one last time. Hard to leave off the ticket at that price.

$ 10.00 Ex 1 w/ 2, 4 Cost $ 20.00

$ 3.00 Ex 2, 4 w/ 1, 2, 4 Cost $ 12.00

Race 8:

(1) GREEN LIGHT GO is rolling right now and now tries slightly better. He’s a must use off his last race but I have to take a shot against with both of the Empire Maker’s entered. (2) WAXMAN continues to produce race after race. Back to back wins prompts Pletcher to try stakes company. If he can Re-Pete his last, he’ll be right there. I want the Maker runner (4) DOUBLY BLESSED in this spot. He likes this track and doesn’t mind the moisture. He had no chance facing G1 and G2 opponents in his last two and now finds a manageable field to get back on track. Franco has a win with him as well.

$ 7.00 WPS 4 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex Box 1, 2, 4 Cost $ 18.00

Race 9:

With Swinton coming out, that may open it up for the other speed(s) to take advantage of the rest. (8) HONOR AMONG MEN may have an easier time up front and gets Davis. If he can catch a breather they are in trouble. (3) FOREST SPIRIT may have been compromised by the track last time trying to close. McCarthy may show more speed today and stay close. (5) MAGNIFICENT CHROME gets a break in the weights and a new rider. His Dec race would dominate these if he can find that one again. I landed on (6) VICTORY BUILT. His 1 for 29 is hard to ignore but he has hit the board 50% of the time. He figures to get a perfect setup with multiple speeds to his outside. He can get first jump on the closers today and try to hold. He recorded his best number earlier this month which tops all of these entered today. He’s worth a shot today.