Aqueduct Picks-Kentucky Derby Prep: Withers

The New York circuit has been begging for relevance in the Kentucky Derby picture over the past several years. NYRA has failed to produce a champion in the Derby since Funny Cide in 2003. In 2024 the Withers looks to put New York back on the map. Check out our Aqueduct picks for the Kentucky Derby prep.

Full Card Analysis

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Aqueduct Picks- 1

Post: 11:50 AM ET; $44k Claiming going 7 f on dirt; Entries: 6

• #6 CANDY TYCOON (9-5): Earns the top selection. He has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #5 JUST CALL RAY (7-5): Is a major player in this race. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #4 LAFITTE’S FLEET (4-1): Will be competitive in this spot. He runs races good enough to beat this group. This one goes out for the Rodriguez barn and gets Franco in the irons.
• #1 RYAN’S CAT (10-1): Is a price horse and isn’t without hope. He is likely to be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late. This one has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front-running speed.

Selections: 6 – 5 – 4 – 1

Aqueduct Picks- 2

Post: 12:20 PM ET; $36k Maiden Claiming going 6 1/2 f on dirt; Entries: 10

• #8 MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (7-2): Gets the top selection. He runs races good enough to beat this group. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #5 FOUR EYES (10-1): Is a price horse and is a major player in this race. He will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #2 CAPTAIN PARTY (3-1): Will be competitive in this spot. He is the class of the field.
• #3 ENGLISH STORM (8-1): Will be competitive in this spot. He makes sense on speed figures. This one projects to sit mid-pack and come with one run.

Selections: 8 – 5 – 2 – 3

Aqueduct Picks- 3

Post: 12:50 PM ET; $74k Allowance Optional Claiming going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 6

• #2 TIMELY CONQUEST (5-2): Is a major player in this race. She will run for the combination of Hennig and McCarthy. This one has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front-running speed.
• #6 PEAK OF CHIC (7-5): Gets the top selection. She makes sense on speed figures. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #1 TEMPERAMENTAL (9-5): Is a major player in this race. She is likely to be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late. This one makes sense on speed figures.
• #4 HARLAN’S BOND (10-1): Is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. She goes out for the Donk barn and gets Gomez in the irons.

Selections: 2 – 6 – 1 – 4

Aqueduct Picks- 4

Post: 1:20 PM ET; $37k Claiming going 6 1/2 f on dirt; Entries: 7

• #4 MONTEBELLO (3-1): Gets the top selection. He has the top overall power rating in the group. This one has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front-running speed.
• #5 HATCH (9-2): Will be competitive in this spot. He runs races good enough to beat this group. This one will run for the combination of Ferraro and Rivera.
• #1 FACE ABARRIO (7-2): Feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He is a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #6 DEVIL’S CAY (7-5): Is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He is a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.

Selections: 4 – 5 – 1 – 6

Aqueduct Picks- 5

Post: 1:50 PM ET; $84k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 3/16 m on dirt; Entries: 6

• #6 LEADING CONTENDER (1-2): Gets the top selection. He comes into the race in really good form. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #2 GOOD SKATE (3-1): Isn’t without hope. He will likely be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #5 CURLIN’S WISDOM (15-1): Is a price horse and isn’t without hope. He runs evenly and will get a very fair pace scenario here. This one has been running against decent company.
• #1 OPTIC WAY (8-1): Is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He has been running against decent company.

Selections: 6 – 2 – 5 – 1

Aqueduct Picks- 6

Post: 2:20 PM ET; $70k Maiden Special Weight going 7 f on dirt; Entries: 10

• #5 HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPS (8-5): Should improve off the first start and gets the top selection. He shouldn’t have trouble with the distance. This one is a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #2 LIBERTY CENTRAL (3-1): Is a major player in this race. He is likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #1 SHORE TIME (10-1): Is a price horse and isn’t without hope. He projects to sit mid-pack and come with one run.
• #9 SORORITY PRANK (10-1): Is a price horse and seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest. He makes sense on speed figures. This one is a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.

Selections: 5 – 2 – 1 – 9

Aqueduct Picks- 7

Post: 2:51 PM ET; $28k Claiming going 7 f on dirt; Entries: 12

• #7 NINETEEN OYSTERS (5-2): Gets the top selection. He is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race.
• #1 BARGAINING POWER (9-2): Feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He makes sense on speed figures. This one has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front-running speed.
• #8 ICE ROAD (6-1): Isn’t without hope. He is likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #5 BLUE PLATE SPECIAL (3-1): Is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He has the top overall power rating in the group. This one projects to sit mid-pack and come with one run.

Selections: 7 – 1 – 8 – 5

Aqueduct Picks- 8

Post: 3:24 PM ET; $175k Toboggan S. going 7 f on dirt; Entries: 7

• #7 KINETIC SKY (8-5): Gets the top selection. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #4 STAGE LEFT (5-1): Is a major player in this race. He runs races good enough to beat this group. This one goes out for the Jacobson barn and gets Castillo in the irons.
• #5 SUPER CHOW (5-2): Has a shot in this race. He has the top overall power rating in the group. This one is a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #2 MURRAY (8-1): Feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He projects to sit mid-pack and come with one run. This one has been running against decent company.

Selections: 7 – 4 – 5 – 2

Aqueduct Picks- 9

Post: 3:55 PM ET; $250k Withers S. going 1 1/8 m on dirt; Entries: 9

• #4 EL GRANDE O (5-2): Gets the top selection. He has the top overall power rating in the group. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. Bet today’s best Best Bet at BetUS.
• #9 KHANATE (15-1): Is a price horse and isn’t without hope. He has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #8 UNCLE HEAVY (10-1): Is a price horse and isn’t without hope. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #5 SEMINOLE CHIEF (12-1): Is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He comes into the race in really good form.

Selections: 4 – 9 – 8 – 5

Aqueduct Picks- 10

Post: 4:26 PM ET; $34k Maiden Claiming going 6 1/2 f on dirt; Entries: 13

• #12 JAY’S LOVE (8-1): Should improve off the first start and gets the top selection. She runs really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race. This one shouldn’t have trouble with the distance. Bet the longshot play of the card at BetOnline.
• #10 AMY’S LIGHT (6-1): Should improve off the first start and is a major player in this race. She shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
• #5 LADY LAWRENCE (12-1): Is a price horse and is a major player in this race. She runs races good enough to beat this group.
• #8 ALOTTA JAYS (10-1): Is a price horse and will be competitive in this spot. She runs races good enough to beat this group. This one runs really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.

Selections: 12 – 10 – 5 – 8

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Betting News provides AI generated handicapping tools for all of the major tracks around the country each and every day.

In addition, Betting News will continue to provide in depth analysis of select racing cards throughout the week.

Saturday

• Oaklawn Park picks featuring the Grade 3 Southwest 
• Gulfstream Park picks featuring the current Kentucky Derby favorite Fierceness in the Grade 3 Holy Bull
• Aqueduct picks featuring the Grade 3 Withers
• Santa Anita picks featuring the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis

*Denotes Kentucky Derby Prep 

Sunday

• Santa Anita picks featuring the Grade 3 Las Virgenes (Kentucky Oaks Prep)

Kentucky Derby Future Prop

Bet on your favorite horse to win the 2024 Kentucky Derby today. Also, check out our analysis of the top of the market in the Derby futures wagers. Bet the Kentucky Derby future pool on Bovada.

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