Aqueduct: Thursday, 12/30 - Pete's Picks

Little Pete
Dec 30, 2021
4 min read

Friday at Aqueduct and we have the entire card covered. We each will have a "Play of the Day" to start the day off and then I will be locked into a spot pick 3 (Races 3-5). Big Pete will be focused on the late pick 3 (Races 6-8). We appreciate you taking a look at this write-up and GOOD LUCK.

Little Pete's $ 1.00 Spot Pick 3:

R3: 2, 4, 5

R4: 1, 7

R5: 2, 3, 5, 7

Cost: $24.00

Big Pete's $ 1.00 Late Pick 3:

R6: 1, 3, 6

R7: 3, 5

R8: 4, 6, 9

Cost: $ 18.00

Little Pete's "Play of the Day":

Race 1:

With the scratch of Brew Pub, I can't see anyone beating the favorite (3) Damilano. His numbers on dirt are much better than this group and with the added moisture, it only helps. The two outside runners should both be coming late. (5) Sir William drops and gets L1 and (6) D'Vinicris does his best running on turf but that sometimes transfers well to the sloppy tracks.

$5.00 Ex 3 w/ 5, 6 Cost: $10.00

$2.00 Ex 5,6 w/ 3,5,6 Cost: $8.00

Big Pete's "Play of the Day":

Race 2:

The money will show on Diamond Collector as she almost graduated on debut. I'll use but I'm more interested in the American Pharoah filly (2) Rosebug. She gave turf a try and it wasn't that bad. The dirt debut is what sold me on her. Only beaten 3 lengths by Gerrymander after she fell too far back to catch her. I like the cutback to 7F and she is introduced to Jose.

$ 7.00 WPS 2 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex Box 1, 2, 5 Cost $ 18.00

Little Pete's Spot Pick 3:

Race 3:

(5) Emperor's Cause looks the best on paper, but I think runs into speedy horses late; I will include but look to beat on top. (2) Run for Boston is my top selection in here with the inside position and the late closing speed with Kendrick aboard. I think this horse will be able to have a well navigated trip and that makes the difference late. The other horse I like is (4) Top of the Mint who had a wire to wire win last time out against inferior competition, but I think is in good enough form to be strategically placed throughout. I trust Lezcano this time of the year and will stick with these three horses.

$3.00 WPS 2 Cost: $9.00

$2.00 Ex Box 2,4,5 Cost: $12.00

Race 4:

(1) Dee Bo freaked in the slop last summer and meets a suspect field. Davis will likely go from the rail and never look back. (7) What's My Category is my other play in here to play into the early speed and have a chance late to catch the front runner's.

$3.00 Ex Box 1,7 Cost: $6.00

Race 5:

I will be spreading a bit in here with these maidens. (2) Inevtabl Conection has two impressive races under his belt and should improve this time out. We should expect this horse to be forwardly placed and a tough catch late. (3) Our Shot is a firster with some impressive workouts and should be able to sit right behind the pace throughout. (5) Check That Chip is another firster I like in here to benefit from some early speed and find a nice kick late to compete down the stretch. My last play will be Manny aboard (7) Cathedral Beach who is going to have plenty of early speed and this horse should impress first time out.

$2.00 Ex 2,7 w/ 2,3,5,7 Cost: $12.00

$1.00 Ex 3,5 w/ 2,3,5,7 Cost: $6.00

Big Pete's Late Pick 3:

Race 6:

I had a strong opinion of Rocco in this race, but the scratch has landed me on (3) AIR SHOW. The last time he dropped to this level, he just missed at the Spa. A Re-Pete of that effort should get his picture taken today (1) MAKE IT IN NY likes to stalk and come with his run. The moisture should help as he's a Street Sense and we all know what he did in the slop that first Saturday in May.

$ 7.00 WPS 3 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex Box 1, 3, 6 Cost $ 18.00

Race 7:

Maiden Beauty may have the advantage as possible lone speed but I only want the other two favorites. (3) SHARP STARR has dominated races where she faced NY Breds. She only has to deal with four others today. If she’s right, she appears to have a strong hand in this Bay Ridge. She beat (5) ICE PRINCESS in the Distaff on showcase day but that was on a sloppy track. She’ll look to turn the table on Starr as we go from one turn to two turns in this one.

$ 7.00 WPS 5 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex Box 3, 4, 5 Cost $ 18.00

Race 8:

Pletcher dropping so much is the only concern for (9) TOTAL EFFORT but she still looks much the best in here. Franco can wait or go from his outside draw so he’ll see what happens to his left. If he’s damaged goods I’ll try to sneak (6) RAISING SAND into the mix. He didn’t seem to mind the dirt when he tried it for the first time in Nov. The extra distance should not be an issue either. There isn’t much in here so he doesn’t have to improve much from his last race. (4) MY BOY COLTON drops slightly and will give dirt another try. His grass races would dominate this group so if he can stay close to those numbers it will be enough.