Horse Betting World

Aqueduct Pick Four Preview – February 19

By Joey Adams

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Last week we took a shot at the $250,000 Guaranteed Late Pick Four at Aqueduct. The winning ticket paid handsomely, $1,316.00, but we were left with the dreaded “three-of-four.” We had all the contenders, but couldn’t line them up correctly – and someone said that is required in order to cash! This isn’t an easy game.

The great thing about horse racing is there’s always a tomorrow, and once again we’ll take a crack at the big Pick Four at Aqueduct. You can’t win if you don’t play.

Let’s take a closer look at this Saturday’s sequence.

## Race 7 (3:20 ET) is a maiden-special-weight affair for New York-bred three-year-old fillies. A field of ten has been entered, including a quartet of first-time starters. Having a race like this as the opening leg of a Pick Four is beneficial, as it allows the bettor to follow the wagering to see if any of the new faces are “live.”

Of those who have started, 5-TAPTITUDE may rate a slight edge. She didn’t have the best of starts in her debut (from the rail) and did well to rally for third behind wire-to-wire winner Smokin Artie’s Gal. That filly came right back to win an allowance by more than four lengths at 3/5 odds. She hails from the strong “second out” barn of Chad Brown

4-GOOD HABITS ran well to finish second in her debut while facing open company, earning the field’s best Beyer Speed Figure, but she was 61/1 that day and raced over a wet track. She needs to prove herself again – at lower odds – if today’s surface comes up fast.

8-PAT’S MEOW flashed speed before tiring to finish a distant third in her debut. The race winner came right back to win an allowance as the heavy betting favorite. 3-JAN BETH JO was clearly second-best in her debut at long odds. She’s stepping up from the claiming ranks, but dropping into state-bred company.

1-JOSEPH’S MIA is a first-time starter from Chris Englehart; 6-VICTORIA POOL and 7-JACKIE MO are first-time starters from Bruce Brown. Both trainers have saddled debut winners at this meet, so don’t be surprised if any of these run well right out of the box.

## Race 8 (3:49 ET) is a $7,500 claimer at 5 ½ furlongs, and there is little to get excited about here. 1-BABY ON THE GO and 5-WALL OF WORRY probably rate top billing, but some could also make a case for 2-ZIP OF FOOLS, 6-PURE VIXEN and 9-SISTER’S SPEED.

## A short field takes the stage in Race 9 (4:18 ET), and there may be those looking to “single.” The question is, “Who do you stand alone with?” 5-WRITINGONTHEWALL and 6-DOMINANT JEANNES appear to stand out, but both are confirmed frontrunners – and they start right next to each other. A prolonged duel up front would do neither any good in this spot.

1-EASY GALLOP and 2-RED LEADER should be saving ground throughout, and if the favorites falter late one of these could be there to pick up the pieces are pull the mild upset. 4-INDY SCENT is the only confirmed closer in the field and he does come off a career-best effort – even though he was 3 ½ lengths behind Writingonthewall.

## Race 10 (4:47 ET) is a $7,500 conditioned claimer with a field of 11, including an entry. Not a single horse in the field finished higher than fourth last time out, so it’s a real puzzler.

3-PEGASUS ENA looks like the one to use on all tickets, as he has been more consistent than most and trainer Bruce Brown switches to go-to guy David Cohen (six wins together at the meet).

2-NOBODY LIKE MIKE sprinted to the front from the far outside and faded late in his most recent race. He should appreciate today’s inside draw. 7-MERLIN BAY was no real threat last time but he was facing better and he earned a surprisingly strong Beyer Speed Figure.

Given the conditions, the distance and the questionable form of this field, I wouldn’t really be shocked to see anyone standing in the winner’s circle.

LATE PICK FOUR TICKETS: ($1.00 wagers)

($40.00) … 4-5 / 1-5 / 5 / All
($12.00) … 4-5 / 1-5 / 6 / 2-3-7
($12.00) … 4-5 / 1-5 / 1-2-4 / 3
($12.00) … 4-5 / 2-6-9 / 5-6 / 3
($30.00) … 1-3-6-7-8 / 1-5 / 5 / 2-3-7
($10.00) … 1-3-6-7-8 / 1-5 / 6 / 3
($15.00) … 1-3-6-7-8 / 2-6-9 / 5 / 3