Aqueduct will show the Santa Anita Derby (post time 5:40 p.m.) on Saturday. Additionally, Santa Anita will guarantee a Pick 6 gross pool of $1 million. In the event there is no winner, there will be a carryover on Sunday.
The Pick 6 will consist of Races 6-11 on Santa Anita’s card, and all races will take place after Aqueduct’s live card is over. The second-floor clubhouse simulcast area will close at approximately 7:22 p.m.
With the opening of Keeneland tomorrow, the simulcast schedule at Aqueduct will change. The Keeneland full card simulcast will be taken every racing day. The full card simulcast of Oaklawn Park will also be taken every racing day except for this Saturday, when it becomes one of the bridge tracks along with Santa Anita and Golden Gate. Hialeah at Gulfstream, which had been a regular full card simulcast track, will be dropped except for this Saturday, when the full card, featuring the Grade 3 Flamingo Stakes for 3-year-olds, will be taken.
Fusaichi Pegasus, the probable favorite for the Wood Memorial, arrived at JFK airport yesterday after 4 p.m. and headed over to Belmont Park. He will be stabled there with a possibility he may ship over to Aqueduct this weekend for his final work prior to the Wood on April 15.
1ST RACE — Raul Rojas waited patiently on Flo’s Double while Skipper Kipper and Doswell battled for the lead. On the far turn, Torgan made a three wide move to threaten for the lead, but then Rojas sent Flo’s Double between horses and gained the lead at the top of the stretch. Flo’s Double edged away for the victory while Torgan edged a game but tired Skipper Kipper for the place spot.
3RD RACE — Trouble at the start of the race as It’s A Sham broke slowly on the rail, Power Illusion broke inwards and Hi Lo Yo bore out leaving the gate. This allowed Maumee to get good position to battle with Gin Gazer for the early lead. On the far turn Maumee had the lead but Gin Gazer kept up the pressure into the stretch. Favored The Big Cat had stalked the pace and then got into gear in midstretch and started his run. But Maumee still had plenty left and went on for the victory.
4TH RACE — Shaun Bridgmohan got good position with favored Lady Caren as she broke well and he was able to angle her to the rail before hitting the far turn. He kept her there while Tango Tappin was setting a fast pace. Entering the stretch Tango Tappin had bore out slightly, opening a huge hole for Lady Caren to go through and draw off for the victory. Tango Tappin ran a much improved race to finish second.
5TH RACE — Siderowf, making her first start for Mike Ferraro after a private purchase, was bumped hard at the start by Dr. Distinctive and fell back to last. Oscar Chavez recovered quickly on her and did not panic by rushing her up to the rest of the field. In the stretch, Siderowf put in a good run on the outside to finish fourth. She will be tough in her next start, either locally or at Finger Lakes, which is where Ferraro is normally based.
7TH RACE — Hey Hey Sunny went off the 2-1 favorite, but soon after the start she checked when Is A Doll cut in front of her. Jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr. kept looking back at her legs to see if there was something wrong as he kept a hard hold on her and was far back from the field. He kept the hard hold on her throughout and, in the stretch, she put in a strong run to finish sixth while Arroyo never encouraged her. After the race he said her stride didn’t feel right and the vets were going to go have her checked out.
9TH RACE — Storm Magest, making his first start off the Leah Gyarmati claim, stalked early pacesetter Ave’s Flag and then took over the lead on the far turn. Confidence made a three wide move on the far turn to threaten for the lead, but Diane Nelson still had plenty left on Storm Magest and they drew off for the victory. Gyarmati has shown in a short period of time to improve horses that go under her care and she must always be respected.
YESTERDAY’S CLAIMS
1ST RACE: Flo’s Double ($20,000) by Joe Imperio
6TH RACE: Angle of Pursuit ($18,000) by Juan Serey
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 2-7-5-7-6-1
8 winners each receives $4,146
231 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $47.80
No carryover.