Stogie's Horse Racing Best Bets for Friday, Feb 14, 2025

Aqueduct Race 7

8 Caldo Candy ran better than it looked fourth last out after coming off a mild layoff. The Gelding contested a quick early pace that day and tired in the stretch run. He shows a solid work tab highlighted by a recent 20/110 bullet. This son of Candy Ride could move forward today and get the victory here at a price. Win Contender
2 Mariachi appears to be an obvious choice as he drops in class for a first-time tag for trainer John Kimmel. He sports the fastest speed figures of his rivals today but is coming in off a bit of a layoff and Kimmel doesn’t do well off this type of layoff. Another concern is the connections are willing to lose this horse for 45k, maybe there are some underlying issues here. Major Threat
4 Aggelos the Great appears to be in good form and has been training well. Don’t Ignore

4 Sorority Bid switches Jockeys to the red-hot Irad Ortiz Jr today. Filly is a little light in the speed figure department but just might get an ideal pace set up today. There’s plenty of want the lead types in here who have been backing up in the stretch run. Look for Irad to lay in the second flight and make one big run. Win Contender
5 Thehillonthewoodside takes a big drop in class and sports a recent bullet. Win Contender
8 Lily Bird is one of many front runners in here. If this Filly can somehow rate just off the pace, I believe she’ll have a chance to get her pic taken today. Don’t Ignore

5 Run Classic has some back class and has been training forwardly for trainer Ray Ashley Jr. This Veteran 7-year old should get an honest pace up front to set up his closing kick. Top Pick
2 Ryvit needed some much overdue freshening last out after entering the race off a nearly 6-month hiatus. 5 year old showed his typical early speed only to fade badly in the stretch run. I’ll forgive the recent last-place finish as he was coming off an extended layoff. He’ll be much more fit today and does sport 4 wins in nine starts over the dirt here at Oaklawn. Win Contender
3 Glengarry is a lightly raced 4-year-old who has had some health issues, evident by the huge gaps between races. When this Colt can make it to the starting gate he usually runs well. He enters here with two bullets and could take this group gate to wire today. Win Contender

5 Baeza improved in his second career start when finishing second to a very good horse in Rodriguez. Colt is a 1.2 million dollar purchase out of up-and-coming sire McKenzie. I’m expecting a huge move forward today by this John Shirrefs trainee. Win Contender
3 Varney ran an even third in debut for trainer Bob Baffert. Colt gets a jockey upgrade to Flavien Prat, receives first-time juice, and has been training lights out. Looks like a recipe for a W. Win Contender
1 Rank has been knocking on the door to break his Maiden but once again, he picks a difficult spot. Use Underneath