The Breeders’ Cup is in the rearview mirror, but that does not mean the action stops at Xpressbet and 1/ST BET, where we have Money Back opportunities this weekend in New York! Three chances in stakes races to get up to $10 back on your first Win bet if your horse finishes second or third. The Hill Prince (G3) and the Red Smith (G2) on Saturday and the Long Island (G3) on Sunday are the eligible events. Just as always, remember to register for the promotion.
Saturday November 9
Race 5: Hill Prince (G3)
There is not much early speed in this 9-furlong affair over Aqueduct’s Outer Turf. Pennsylvania-bred #1 Bartlett is almost certain to use his inside draw to take advantage. The Not This Time gelding has won 4 of 6 in his career, but all over the main track. Nothing in his pedigree points to him taking a step forward on the lawn, especially on a class hike, so I will pass on him and look to #2 Cugino. The Twirling Candy colt put in a dud when we saw him last at Kentucky Downs in the Nashville Derby (G3), but that is a total toss. Not only was he off the pace a bit on a day where speed was very good, but was caught wide throughout when the inside was the clear place to be. He has been given time by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey and should get first run under Breeders’ Cup Classic winning rider, Flavien Prat.
Play: #2 Cugino
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Race 9: Red Smith (G2)
Shug holds a strong hand in the feature as well with #2 Integration and #5 Limited Liability. Like Cugino, Integration has been freshened up since attempting to take down a big purse at Kentucky Downs in the Turf Cup (G2). The Quality Road colt finished fourth as the even-money favorite and has just one victory over his last six starts. He did run very well when capturing last year’s Hill Prince, but I have questions about whether he is the same horse at this point. Limited Liability fits as well, but his lone win over the last eighteen months was a wire-to-wire score last out at Kentucky Downs when he was loose on the lead going 2 1/16-miles. I will try to beat him as well.
I like #9 Rebel Red. The Frankel colt comes in off a career best victory over the Keeneland sod when he put in a strong run under jockey Jose Ortiz. The 4YO has been a different horse since trainer Cherie DeVaux adding blinkers back in June and should relish the added ground.
Play: #9 Rebel Red
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Sunday November 10
Race 8: Long Island (G3)
The lone Money Back stakes opportunity on Sunday comes in this 1 3/8-miles event for fillies and mares where I am on #4 Blush. The Kingman filly has only raced once in the States, but it came last out in the E.P. Taylor (G1) at Woodbine. In that mid-September grass stake over a speed favoring course, this 3YO filly got off to a slow start and was up against it from there chasing dominant wire-to-wire winner, Full Count Felicia. Trainer Graham Motion has given this Wertheimer and Frere homebred some time and finds an easier spot. She should run a whole lot better, especially if she can get out of the gate with the field.
Play: #4 Blush
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