Stogie's Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, April 5, 2025

Aqueduct Race 7 Distaff Stakes Grade 3

2 Sea Dancer has looked like a different horse since switching barns to the very capable Brittany Russell stable. This Filly has reeled off 2 consecutive victories while closing into some pedestrian paces in 2 local Stakes races at Laurel. Win Contender
1 Irish Maxima is a Maryland circuit win machine, winning 7 of 10 lifetime, all in front-running fashion. With rain in the forecast, this Filly will be tough to beat, as she has dominated on wet surfaces. Win Contender
5 Socially Selective has been training exceptionally since finishing third as the favorite two months ago here at the Big A. Major Threat

2 Ballerina d’Oro is your even money morning line and rightfully so. Filly has been facing much tougher competition than her rivals here today. She has been able to close into some tepid early paces in her two Grade 2 attempts, finishing second and third, respectively. My only concern is there’s lone speed in here, but this one’s class should overcome the early disadvantage. Top Pick
3 Vanilla Sundae must be considered after her gate-to-wire score over this main track here at Aqueduct. She appears to be the lone speed in here and will once again try to take this better field gate-to-wire. She’ll have to stretch out an extra eighth of a mile today. Win Contender
4 Early On appears to be a horse moving in the right direction and should appreciate the added ground. Major Player

1 Crazy Mason steps up the class ladder after two impressive back-to-back victories sprinting over this main track here at Aqueduct. The pace in this race will likely be red hot early and this Colt’s late pace numbers have been off the charts lately. I believe he gets a perfect setup today and runs them down in the final furlong. Win Contender
4 Full Moon Madness became a Grade 3 winner last out when taking the Tom Fool Stakes here. Gelding relishes an off-track which he just might get today. Win Contender
2 Quint’s Brew is another in here who has been stellar on an off-track. This Laurel shipper has won 4 of 5 races, all with triple-digit speed figures. He faces the acid test today as he attempts to defeat a much tougher group of horses today. Major Player

2 Classic Catch hasn’t seen the winner’s circle in a long time, but I’m willing to take a shot with this 15-1 long shot. He’s run two decent races since coming back from a 4-month layoff and has a win at this marathon distance. He now makes his third start of the form cycle and Pletcher adds the blinkers. I love this one at a price today. Live Longshot
8 Masmak enters here in fine form with 2 straight wins. Colt has won 4 of 5 over this main track here at the Big A. I’m not sure what trainer Dick Dutrow is putting in this one feed but his Colt has won 4 of 6 with 2 placings since coming to Dutrow’s barn. Win Contender
6 Phileas Fog is always a threat to wire the field. If he gets a muddy track, look out. Don’t Ignore

11 Statesman is an intriguing longshot in here. He has looked visually impressive in the last two starts at Tampa, coming from way back to break Maiden and defeat winners next out. He faces a much tougher group of animals today, but with this Grade 2 loaded with want the lead types, I believe he has the best chance to run them down late. Live Longshot
6 Hill Road is another in here that should benefit from a likely hot pace. Win Contender
2 Captain Cook was seen dominating the Withers Stakes at this distance and was an impressive Maiden winner over a sloppy track two races back. If the main track comes up sloppy today this mudder will be tough to beat. He’s had everything go his way with two perfect trips, which might not be the case today as he faces much better. Major Threat

1 Journalism has been raising his speed figures in all 4 starts of his short career. Colt has won back-to-back Grade 2’s and recently ran career-top. He has a tremendous late turn of foot and should relish the added distance today. If he wins today, he’ll be the Kentucky Derby Favorite. Top Pick
5 Baeza is a Maiden winner taking a huge step up in class, but I like what I saw in his last start. He was fast early and even faster late. I just love these siblings of Mckinzie, who is an up-and-coming Sire. They tend to move forward at a rapid pace and for this one’s trainer to run him here, he must like what he sees. I believe this Colt outruns his odds today. Don’t Ignore
2 Citizen Bull is the Breeders Cup Juvenile champ who is a perfect 2-2 here at Santa Anita. This multiple Grade 1 winner is testing lights for trainer Bob Baffert. Win Contender