Here are Vic’s picks for Feb. 4 at Aqueduct, and the full entries can be found here.
FIRST (1:10 p.m. ET)
After 12 days and seven canceled cards, racing returns to Aqueduct.
OIL CAPITAL ran evenly for 3rd at Churchill. Claimed by Rice, who gives him another furlong and gets Carmouche to ride. COPIOUS drops for Mott. Ran 4th three times in 4 starts, including a race at this distance, Blinkers on.
Dutrow’s GUALILLO finished well to be a close 3rd. Stretches, but was a more distant 3rd racing this distance previously.
SECOND (1:41 p.m. ET)
Carmouche sweeps the early double with DANIELLA MARIE, who ran 3rd twice here this winter, including a New York-bred 500k. OHOOPEE won her initial pair in Kentucky. Stretched to this distance at the Big A and got beat by just 3/4. Rebound in cards; 1st time Lasix.
KAREY, (5th start), ADMIRAL SOL, (1st start), and BASEBALL LADY, (6th start) move off maiden breakers. Karey offers the best value.
THIRD (2:11 p.m. ET)
Hold all tickets.
We watched BERNING BEAUTY finish 3rd before being placed 2nd via DQ, CONCORDE SPIRIT finish 1st (DQd to 5th ), and SANZIO finish 4th, then elevated to be 3rd here in December.
They’ll do it again, same distance. Berning Beauty had to steady late and got a rider change to Prat. Sanzio was 58-1 and offers the best value again. MAD BANKER moves higher after a win at a mile. 0 for 2 at this longer distance.
Get the lowdown on the Best USA Sports Betting Sites and Apps
FOURTH (2:42 p.m. ET)
We saw TOXIC GRAY run 2nd with VETTRIANO lengths back in 4th, weeks ago. Toxic Gray lost by this much at this longer distance last year. Vettriano won by this much racing 7/8th here in the fall. EMIRATES ROAD was 3rd at Aqueduct in December. Won only start at 7 furlongs. Rodriguez subs for Franco who stays on Toxic Gray.
FIFTH (3:12 p.m. ET)
Three-year-old debuts for these fillies. Chad Browns SARATOGA PARTY and CARA FIORE were a disappointing 5th and 7th behind Todd Pletcher’s BAFFLE, who was 2nd at 19-1. Saratoga Party raced wide; Prat stays on. Blinkers on Cara Fiore. All run 1st time Lasix.
SIXTH (3:42 p.m. ET)
Linda Rice takes BRAVE BUCK lower after a wide 6th. Winner 2 of previous 3 at the distance under Carmouche. TIZMARKUS was 5th racing for 20k. Beat an allowance field, same distance last September. Ferraro gets Santana back. DOTS DOLLAR is 1-for-11 over the last 2 years after finishing 5th and 6th here this winter. Does best when on the lead and may seize it, leaving from the rail. Rodriguez replaces Gutierrez. Picks up the mount on Canadian-bred CANYOUHEARMERUNNIN. Ran 2nd with similar before shipping from Woodbine.
SEVENTH (4:13 p.m. ET)
Value’s up on FILM STAR after walking home last of 5 in the Queens County. Scored back-to-back victories, same distance at the Spa last summer. Pletcher’s DONEGAL SURGES surged to win but was DQd. The M/L favorite is 1-for-5 at this longer distance. YO DADDY hasn’t raced in 8 months. Clear 2nd in the 1 3/4 mile Grade 3 Belmont Gold Cup before the extended break. Fast, but this distance may be too long off the layoff as well. Lezcano rides for Rice. CLASSICIST won the last pair gate-to-wire at this distance. Three-peat in cards. Franco up.
EIGHTH (4:43 p.m. ET)
Wide open. PRIDE OF THE UNION missed by a length then a neck. 1st time lasix. Rivera subs for Franco who stays on B THEDONALD. Debuted a length shy and may move forward, 2nd time around. MACH SEVEN missed the break, made up the ground, but was done in the stretch. Another chance. Prat on the Florida invader.