Buy TicketsBy 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 4th or worst
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.
2nd race [Memories of Silver, 1 mi TURF] – Weather forecasts show a 100% chance of rain and heavy winds at Aqueduct on Saturday so there are picks for the race at the end of this turf analysis if it is moved to the main track. (7) Royalty Interest will make his second start after an impressive debut victory at Tampa Bay Downs as a heavy favorite. Chad Brown’s preferred turf course in Florida is at Tampa. Irad Ortiz Jr. went with this filly to ride her first race and stays on board for this start. (5) Queen Picasso was another impressive maiden winner in Florida in her first start at Gulfstream Park for the Clement barn. Like the top choice she has European bloodlines. (6) Juniper’s Moon brings experience to the field with 3 out of 4 starts on the grass with only top three finishes. She has two starts this year at Tampa with a maiden win and then a third in the Florida Oaks (G3) after having the lead in the stretch. (2) Lady Beth is another debut winner for Brown. She won her only start by four lengths back in February at 3-1 in a race that was scheduled for the turf but was run on the Gulfstream Tapeta course. Flavien Prat will get the mount after Jose Ortiz opted to ride the second choice instead.
Picks for the main track, two of which were entered for the Main Track Only: 8, 10, 1, 2.
7th race [Clm 16000 N2L, 1 mi] – (2) Mo Rewards was claimed three races back by Linda Rice and then started twice against much stronger competition and drops into what should be a winning spot. (3) Let Freedom Spring broke his maiden last time for a $20,000 tag on a muddy track and comes back here in the proper spot to face winners for the first time. (4) Star Attitude also broke his maiden for $20,000 but has a pair on top three finishes at this level since then. (9) Dee’s Speedstre gets Irad Ortiz as the horse tries to win at the N2L level after a couple of thirds.
8th race [OC 62k/N2X, 1 mi] – (2) Zandon, who won the Blue Grass (G1) and was third in the Kentucky Derby last year makes his 2023 debut after last seen running fourth in the Cigar Mile (G1) in December. He was a debut winner for Chad Brown. (8) Tonal Impact has nine top three finishes in a row with the last five at Aqueduct. Linda Rice claimed him for $40,000 back in November in Kentucky. (5) King Kumbalay has three starts this year in high level allowances where he earned checks and good speed figures in his last two starts. (7) Good Skate will cut back in distance to a one-turn race where last seen he was a winner. This guy has a great record at Aqueduct.
9th race [Md 20000, 7F] – (1) Steady Progress pressed the pace and finished third last time for a $40,000 tag. (3) Dads Good Runner ran second and third earlier in the winter and now leading rider Manny Franco gets on board for the first time. (8) New York Panther drops out of maiden special weights in his first five races. He is back to sprinting on the dirt which seems like a good idea. (2) Dakota’s Destiny will make his first career start for a trainer that is good with debut runners.
Best bets: Royalty Interest (2nd); Zandon (8th). Best value: Mo Rewards (7th); Steady Progress (9th).
Saturday Pick 3 Special --
The Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 7-9 à 2, 3 with 2 with 1, 2, 3, 8 = $8.
| No. | Name | Letter last race | Today's Race | Comments |
| (3) | Our Rosie Diamonds | B on 3/5 | 3 | Entered for Main Track Only |
| (1) | Midnight Worker | B on 4/13 | 6 | Returns to the turf after setting the pace and running second. |