Aqueduct,Fair Grounds, Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Picks & Best Bets For January 9, 2025
Aqueduct Race 7
5 One Nine Hundred hasn’t seen race day in over 50 days but his work tab has been dotted with bullets. Colt has sharp early speed but will have to contend with some serious inside speed by the #2 Vettriano. Jose Lezcano has been on this Colt in his 2 career wins and knows this Colt well. I like his chances today. Win Contender
6 Mr Skylight would benefit from a likely hot pace today. This Joe Sharp trainee gets the services of a red hot Jockey Flavien Prat. If speed duel ensues upfront, I like this one’s chances late in the stretch. Win Contender
3 Toxic Grey got some much needed freshening last out when finishing a distant 4th. I’m going to forgive that effort as this Grey was making his first start off an extended layoff. He’ll be much more fit second of the bench today. Major Threat
Selections 5,6,3,2
Fair Grounds Race 6
2 Being Myself was not herself when laying an egg in the Grade 2 Mother Goose last out. Gal has been training forwardly since, drops in class and gets 29% winners this meet in Jockey Jose Ortiz. Dont sleep on this Cherie DeVaux trainee. Win Contender
5 Amalfi Drive is an intriguing Longshot in here. Filly came back from a 16 month hiatus and pressed the pace in a 6 furlongs sprint at Oaklawn and had nothing left for the stretch drive finishing 7th of 11 starters. Trainer Michael Stidham now stretches this Filly out in distance which she should relish as she’s bred to go long. She’s a player here second off the layoff. Live Longshot
6 Bless the Broken holds a huge class edge versus his competitors today but hasn’t seen race day in over 7-months. His lone start off an extended layoff was a badly beaten 8th place finish. If he’s 100% fit, he’s your likely winner but at 6/5, I’ll try to beat her today
Selections 2,5,6,7
Gulfstream Park Race 6
5 Skellig Michael gets a huge upgrade in the jockey department to Irad Ortiz Jr. I didn’t care for the ride this Gelding relieved last out. He pressed a reasonably fast pace, fell back and had re-rally 4-wide finishing 4th beaten by just under 3-lengths versus similar. Look for a more patient ride from Irad today. Top Pick
3 Lou the Body has been running evenly versus open company and now gets some relief versus State Breds.Win Contender
1 Miami Frank has run well and consistently at this level but has yet to find the winners circle since his Maiden score. Use Underneath
Selections 5-3-1-6
Santa Anita Race 4
5 Cecilla Street gets first time juice, drops in class and should benefit from a anticipated fast early pace. Sounds like a recipe for a win today. Top Pick
7 Libel Proof gets first Lasix after finishing a good second on the dirt when facing winners for the first time. Filly gets back on turf today where she broke her maiden by over 4-lengths at Del Mar. Win Contender
6 My Kat has won back-to-back races on the dirt but tries the blades for the first time today. Filly’s pedigree doesn’t actually scream turf and at 8/5 morning line, I’ll use Underneath.
Selections 5-7-6-4
Stogie Wagers for Today
Gulfstream Park Race 6
$20 Win #5 Skellig Michael
Fair Grounds Race 6
$10WPS #2 Being Myself
$2 Exacta Box 2,5,6 $42
Santa Anita Race 4
$10WPS #5 Cecilla Street
$5 Exacta Box 5,7 $40