Saturday Aqueduct Picks: Red Smith Analysis, November 11, 2023

Aqueduct runs its typical Thursday through Sunday schedule this weekend. The highlight of the week is the Red Smith and Pebbles which are both scheduled for the turf on Saturday’s card.

Both events are part of the late season turf series at Aqueduct. The track will soon be closed down for the winter. The track will continue to run throughout the winter but will only utilize the dirt course.

Full Card Analysis

Aqueduct Race Track- 1

Post: 11:50 AM ET; $38k Maiden Claiming going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 8

• #8 A KNIGHT’S COURAGE (9-2) is the top selection. He should sit in the second tier of runners and make one well-timed run at the leaders, possessing the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #4 RUNNING LUCKY (6-1) is another that appears to be a significant contender in this race and might pose a threat to take the lead. He’s well bred for this spot.
• #1 SWEPT (5-1) is expected to be competitive, being well bred and consistently solid in recent starts, ready to run a big race here.
• #6 MAD BANKER (7-2) might also have a chance in this race, having good prospects to hit the board. Well bred for this spot.

Selections: 8 – 4 – 1 – 6

Aqueduct Race Track- 2

Post: 12:20 PM ET; $37k Claiming going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 8

• #2 IRON WORKS (1-2) stands as the top pick, holding the highest overall power rating in the group. He has consistently solid pace figures that suit this moderately paced race.
• #3 GUT FEELING (9-2) seems like a fringe contender, making sense based on speed figures. This one commands respect going out for the Rice and Ortiz combination.
• #8 DEVIL’S CAY (10-1) is a long shot but may be best to consider for most tickets, fitting well enough in this field.
• #6 ACHILLES HEEL (10-1) is another long shot best to put underneath on most tickets, predicted to run evenly in a fair-paced scenario.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 8 – 6

Aqueduct Race Track- 3

Post: 12:50 PM ET; $85k Maiden Special Weight going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 7

• #1 BURTON WAY (5-1) looks best here and is to be respected racing for the Jacobson and Franco combination.
• #2 LUCENCY (5-2) is also expected to be a major player and should improve from the first start. Consistently solid in recent outings, able to handle previous conditions.
• #6 RINGSIDE (7-2) should be competitive in this field, well bred for this spot and racing for the Camejo barn with Ortiz riding.
• #5 AUTHORIZE (3-1) might be best to put underneath on most tickets. He shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 6 – 5

Aqueduct Race Track- 4

Post: 1:19 PM ET; $28k Claiming going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 9

• #2 PRINCE JAMES (5-2) receives the top selection. Racing for the combination of Rice and Franco, this one holds the top overall power rating in the group.
• #1 HANDSOME CAT (6-1) also seems to be a major player in this race and, ridden by Davis for the Englehart barn, could make a competitive run late in the race.
• #8 GANDY DANCING (12-1) is a price horse but appears to be a significant contender in this race, making sense based on speed figures.
• #3 LOHENGRIN TWO (6-1) should be another competitive runner, posing a potential threat to take the lead.

Selections: 2 – 1 – 8 – 3

Aqueduct Race Track- 5

Post: 1:48 PM ET; $85k Maiden Special Weight going 1 1/16 m on turf; Entries: 16

• #11 TRIPLE ESPRESSO (2-1) is the top pick and is to be respected racing for the Pletcher and Ortiz combination. Solid in recent starts, should be ready for a big race.
• #2 ENLIGHTEN (5-2) seems to be a fringe contender but should be respected racing for the Pletcher and Ortiz combination. Expected to be part of the early pace.
• #13 DANGEROUS DRIVER (30-1) is a long shot but also shouldn’t be overlooked. Seems to be the class of the field.
• #6 UNIQUE INSIGHT (9-2) should improve from the first start and is likely best to put underneath on most tickets, racing for the Brown and Ortiz combination.

Selections: 11- 2 – 13- 6

Aqueduct Race Track- 6

Post: 2:17 PM ET; $200k Pebbles S. going 1 m on turf; Entries: 10

• #6 SACRED WISH (5-2) looks best here, possibly getting the right setup in this race and holding the top overall power rating in the group.
• #5 SILVER SKILLET (5-1) is another that seems to be a major player, fitting well enough in this race and showing consistent performances in recent starts.
• #2 PLENTITUDE (10-1) is a price horse but should be competitive, coming into the race in really good form and likely to be in contention late in the race.
• #1 IMPLICATED (12-1) is a price horse but might be a fringe contender, likely to be in contention late and making sense based on speed figures.

Selections: 6 – 5 – 2 – 1

Aqueduct Race Track- 7

Post: 2:45 PM ET; $28k Claiming going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 9

• #3 SOUTH STREET (6-1) seems to be a significant contender, demonstrating races good enough to outperform this group.
• #4 KINGDOM (5-1) also looks good here, making sense based on speed figures and expected to play a part in the early pace of the race.
• #9 HAPPY BOB (2-1) might have a chance in this race, showing good speed figures and likely to be in contention in the latter part of the race.
• #8 UNCLE WATER FLOW (8-1) shouldn’t be discounted, appearing to be the class of the field.

Selections: 3 – 4 – 9 – 8

Aqueduct Race Track- 8

Post: 3:15 PM ET; $92k Allowance Optional Claiming going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 8

• #4 AMERICAN MONARCH (7-2) is the top pick, coming into the race in really good form.
• #2 TWENTY FOUR MAMBA (10-1) is a price horse and seems like a fringe contender. Likely to benefit from a fair pace scenario and fitting well enough in this spot.
• #5 SEVEN NATION ARMY (15-1) is another price horse and seems like a fringe contender. Expected to get a fair pace scenario and could be a part of the lead pack.
• #1 DIVINE ARMOR (5-2) shouldn’t be underestimated, seeming to be the class of the field.

Selections: 4 – 2 – 5 – 1

Aqueduct Race Track- 9

Post: 3:43 PM ET; $300k Red Smith S. going 1 3/8 m on turf; Entries: 16

• #8 SOLDIER RISING (3-1) looks best here, potentially getting the right setup in this race and showcasing performances strong enough to outdo this group.
• #4 CROSS BORDER (5-1) should be another competitive runner, expected to contend in the final stretch of the race.
• #10 VERSTAPPEN (8-1) also should be competitive, demonstrating performances good enough to compete in this group.
• #12 MASTER PIECE (8-1) might have a shot in this race, showing solid form in recent starts and could benefit from a quick pace up front.

Selections: 8 – 4 – 10 – 12

Aqueduct Race Track- 10

Post: 4:10 PM ET; $75k Allowance going 6 f on turf; Entries: 15

• #7 ICY FLAVOR (9-5) is the top selection, having showcased really solid performances in recent starts and likely to deliver a strong performance here.
• #13 ORTUS (2-1) also appears to be a significant contender, displaying performances good enough to surpass this group.
• #5 BLAME IT ON DADDY (10-1) is a price horse but should be another in with a chance. This one has performances strong enough to outperform this group.
• #15 DR. SETTLE’S DREAM (9-2) should also be competitive, with the Mott barn and Alvarado in the irons.

Selections: 7 – 13- 5 – 15

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In addition, Betting News will continue to provide in depth analysis of select racing cards throughout the week.

Friday

• Del Mar Opening Day featuring the Let it Ride.

Saturday

• Aqueduct featuring the Grade 2 Red Smith and the Grade 3 Pebbles Stakes.
• Churchill Downs featuring the Grade 3 River City Stakes.

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