Stogie's Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, March 1, 2025

Aqueduct Race 7 Busher Stakes

1 Liam in the Dust pressed the pace early in the Grade 2 Demoisel last out, then faded in the mile and an eighth event. Filly faces a much softer group of horses today and has been looking sharp in her morning drills. I love this gal’s chances as she cuts back to a one-turn mile. Top Pick
9 Sharp Smile exits from an even third-place finish in a local Stakes here at the Big A. This Filly also should benefit from the cutback today. Win Contender
3 Drexel Hill is a Fair Grounds shipper who chased a very quick in her most recent race and still hung tough to finish third beaten by just under 3 lengths. Trainer Whitworth Beckman adds first-time blinkers today. Beckman hits 33% winners when slapping on the eye cups for the first time. Major Threat

3 Calling Card exits from a wide trip in the slop when finishing a disappointing eighth. I’m going to forgive that effort due to the wide trip and sloppy conditions. This Colt broke his Maiden by an incredible 17 lengths. He hasn’t moved forward off that stellar effort but he has had excuses in his two races versus winners. I like the switch to Carmouche, who will be aggressive and likely keep this Colt out of trouble. I love this Mike Maker trainee today. Top Pick
2 Normandy Coast is an intriguing long shot in here. He returned from a 5-month layoff and defeated winners at first asking at Fair Grounds. He routes for the first time today and faces a much tougher group of animals. So why would trainer Eddie Kennealy enter him here today? Well, his horse is training extremely well and is out of upcoming Sire Omaha Beach, whose siblings have been moving forward at a quick rate. This is just the kind of race Kennealy brings in the bomber. Live Longshot
5 Sand Devil is unbeaten versus NY Breds and tries open company today. His speed figures are amongst the best in here. Major Threat

1 Mi Hermano Ramon was last seen finishing a troubled 4th in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Turf Cup. Gelding faced a much tougher field that day, compared to his rivals here today. Flavien Prat gets the call. Win Contender
3 El Potente enters here in sharp form after back-to-back wins which includes running a career top when dominating the Grade 3 Thunder Road over this turf course here at Santa Anita. A bounce off that fine effort is always a possibility, but if he runs back to G3 victory, he’ll have something to say at the wire. Win Contender
4 Formidable Man has back races that make him competitive here. Don’t Ignore

3 Hit Show comes out of an impressive victory in the G3 Louisana Stakes to start his 5-year-old campaign. This son of Candy Ride has won 4 of his last 5 starts and is proven over multiple venues. He’s been training exceptionally well at Payson Park and I believe he’ll relish this mile-and-a-quarter distance today. Top Pick
7 Locked is a 4-time winner in just 7 Lifetime starts and a Multiple Graded Stakes winning 4-year-old. Trainer Todd Pletcher ships in this Gun Runner Colt and adds blinkers today. Colt should get an honest pace upfront to set up his closing kick. Win Contender
1 Express Train is the only horse entered who has a win at this distance. Don’t Ignore