Aqueduct Hotlist - February 13

Today’s NY Hot List races to watch – Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Aqueduct
By Matt Shifman and Bob Ehalt

Hot List Key:
 A: A preferred horse to watch                                       B: Secondary horse to watch
*C: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 1st through 3rd
*D: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 4^th or worst
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

1^st race – (4) Dark Money (C) ran second in his first start following a claim by Linda Rice where was bet from 9-2 to be the 2-1 favorite. He is sent back in an identical $25,000 claimer for NY-breds. (5) Desert Lights (B) hit the gate at the start, fell far behind, was slow to get in stride, but still managed to rally for second in an open claiming race. (2) Scilia Mike admittedly is a favorite horse of mine because he always comes running at the end and when he gets the right pace set-up is a win contender. (1) Kosciuszko fits well at this level and jockey Mike Luzzi, who is having a great winter at the Big A, keeps the mount.

7^th race – (5) Diddley (D) was a winner for a $12,500 tag two races back, tried the $16,000 level where he was bet from 6-1 to 7-2 and lost all chance at the gate, and now drops back to $10,000 where he is a serious contender for the top spot. (3) Tale of Mist is a rare horse who performs consistently in these low-level claimers. He hit the board in his last five starts with a win for $12,500 last out. (1) Shamrocked changes to the barn of Mike Miceli, who is having another excellent Aqueduct meeting, and gets his claiming price slashed to $10,000 after being claimed two races ago for twice that price. (6) Irish Roar was third at this level last time after a three-month layoff.

8^th race – (9) More Graytful (C) was a winner last time in a first-level allowance for Brad Cox after getting bet down to be the 2-1 favorite from 4-1. (6) Mi Tres Por Ciento (D) was bet down to be the 2-1 top choice from 4-1 against a similar field and finished fourth and now he’s in for a tag. (1) Happy Farm won the Fall Highweight (G3) in 2019 and a $50,000 open claimer in his most recent race which was his second start since leaving the Jason Servis barn to go to Linda Rice. (3) Money Ride is the winner of 3 out of his last four starts including a first-level allowance last time out for Mike Miceli. He is the winner four out of eight starts at the Big A.

9^th race – (7) Lord Camden (C) was heavily bet from 5-2 to be the 6-5 favorite after a six-month layoff for Chris Englehart after being moved from Mark Casse’s barn and finished second. He is back at the same $25,000 maiden claiming level against NY-breds. (3) Hereissio (D) was bet down from 20-1 to 15-1 in his debut where he had a poor start. Now he gets blinkers on and a favorable jockey change to Jorge Vargas. (2) Apex Predator has a pair of seconds in his last two tries at this level. (10) Danegeld will return for the Bond barn after a layoff from Saratoga and drop back down to this $25,000 level. He ran second three times to begin his career last winter at Aqueduct.

Best bets: Dark Money (1^st); Lord Camden (9^th). Best value:  Diddley (7^th); More Graytful (8^th).

 Saturday Pick 3 Special --
The Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 is on races 7-9 à 1, 3, 5 with 1, 3, 6, 9 with 3, 7 = $24.