$400,000 Aqueduct Pick Four

Saturday is a big day for preps for the Kentucky Derby with The Illinois Derby at Hawthorne, The Santa Anita Derby at (guess where?) Santa Anita, and The Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. NYRA has put together an all-graded stakes Pick Four with a $400,000 guarantee in conjunction with the Wood and what follows are selections for the races and a Pick Four Play for the wager based on a $1 bet. Good luck to you all.

The Grade 3 BayShore- I like #6 Not For Silver over #10 Taqarub in this spot. They have returned to the main track at Aqueduct after the winter break and it has favored the speed thus far. However, there is a lot of speed in here and #6 might sit well just off the hot pace.

The Grade 3 Excelsior- #1 Barrier Reef went three for three over the inner track at Aqueduct with Ramon Dominguez up and I see no reason his strong performances should stop now. Cozzene is on the Sire side and he was a personal favorite.

The Grade 1 Wood Memorial- This could be a two-horse epic between #2 I Want Revenge and #5 Imperial Council. I Want Revenge took the Gotham after pacesetter Mr. Fantasy faded from view. Imperial Council, in the same race, was way off the pace and rallied to get 2nd late. Just a hunchy-hunch, but I think Imperial Council will prevail here.

The Grade 1 Carter- #3 True Quality is going to the lead here and might not give it up. The only horse that might get by him is #4 Fabulous Strike, who split the last two graded duels with #3. A longshot to possibly get behind is #6 Understatement at 15-1.

PICK FOUR PLAY- 4-6-7-10 WITH 1 WITH 2-5 WITH 1-3-4-6
TOTAL- $32

Remember, this blog is only offering suggestions and in no way assumes responsibility for any wagers made in conjunction with these selections. I am only here to try to help and make the "Sport Of Kings" more fun for everyone. Tune in again on Monday when "They Are Off" offers the Super Six Derby Contenders after the big prep weekend. For right now, I am Gone.... Goodbye!