Aqueduct Picks: Saturday Kentucky Derby Prep (01/31/2026)

The racing action from Aqueduct on Saturday features the Withers Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Aqueduct picks for the entire card!

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Aqueduct Full Card Analysis

Aqueduct Picks: Saturday Kentucky Derby Prep (01/31/2026)

Aqueduct Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:10 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $75k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #1 FACTORY SETTING (4-5): Prime Win Player. Top connections on the circuit with Prat and Brown. Race sets up perfectly.
• #2 GREEK GODDESS (10-1): Underneath. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #7 RAYNHAM HALL (6-1): Underneath. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. Previous success in similar race types.
• #3 MAJORSDREAMCOMETRU (5-1): Underneath. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 7 – 3

The Plays

Win: #1 at 4-5

Exacta: 1 / 2,7

Aqueduct Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 12:39 PM ET; Toboggan Stakes $150k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

• #1 MAXIMUS MERIDIUS (7-2): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Looks good based on the 109 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
• #3 OVER AND OLLIE (3-1): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #5 VICTORY WAY (5-2): Major Player. Lezcano and Mott team up on this one. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish.
• #2 NATION (6-1): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 1 – 3 – 5 – 2

The Plays

Win: #1 at 4-1

Exacta Box: 1 / 3 / 5

Aqueduct Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:08 PM ET; Claiming $35k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #9 GYPSY DREAMING (4-1): Top pick. Strong early pace figs. Looks good based on the 92 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
• #5 LEAN MUSIC MACHINE (5-2): Major Player. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
• #2 NANTZ (8-1): Underneath. Lezcano puts this one in with a chance. Previous success in similar race types.
• #6 PANDEMIC HERO (12-1): Underneath. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 9 – 5 – 2 – 6

The Plays

Win: #9 at 9-2

Exacta: 9 / 5,2

Aqueduct Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 1:38 PM ET; Ruthless Stakes $135k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #6 TWO BITS (2-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #4 SHILLING (8-5): Major Player. Good race flow for this runner.
• #3 INTERSTATELOVESONG (5-2): Contender. May be able find the right setup. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #1 HAUNTING ECHOES (20-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Rodriguez puts this one in with a chance.

Selections: 6 – 4 – 3 – 1

The Plays

Win: #6 at 5-2

Exacta Box: 6 / 4 / 3

Pick 3 (races 4-6): #6,4 with #2,6,3,8 with #5

Aqueduct Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:08 PM ET; Starter Allowance $60k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

• #2 REFUAH (6-1): Longshot play of the day. Favorable class relief in this spot. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
• #6 CURVINO (6-1): Contender. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #3 APALTA (8-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
• #8 INTERCEPTOR (3-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 2 – 6 – 3 – 8

The Plays

Win: #2 at 7-1

Exacta: 2 / 6,3,8

Aqueduct Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 2:38 PM ET; Ladies Stakes $135k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

• #5 WEIGH THE RISKS (3-5): Best bet of the card. Barn has been solid. Franco puts this one in with a chance. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #4 SCALABLE (6-1): Contender. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #1 BERNIETAKESCHARGE (10-1): Contender. Barn has been sending out runners. Silvera and Schettino team up on this one.
• #3 OURDAYDREAMINGGIRL (6-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 5 – 4 – 1 – 3

The Plays

Win: #5 at 3-5

Exacta: 5 / 4,1,3

Aqueduct Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:08 PM ET; Allowance $83k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.

• #1 MOE EIGHTY EIGHT (1-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Looks good based on the 106 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
• #5 PRINCE VALIANT (10-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #7 MY MITOLE (8-1): Major Player. Has experience at this level. Should sit a good trip.
• #11 REYNOLDS CHANNEL (12-1): Major Player. Ran at this level last out. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 1 – 5 – 7 – 11

The Plays

Win: #1 at 1-1

Exacta Box: 1 / 5 / 7

Aqueduct Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 3:38 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $83k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 12 runners.

• #2 WHITTINGTON PARK (10-1): Top pick. Fits well with this group. Races that could beat these.
• #8 MAGICAL WAYS (12-1): Major Player. Speed figures match this group well. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #12 TOGA D'ORO (15-1): Major Player. Speed figs match up nicely. Should sit a good trip.
• #5 NEON BORDEAUX (5-1): Contender. Prat and Dutrow team up on this one. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 2 – 8 – 12 – 5

The Plays

Win: #2 at 5-1

Exacta Box: 2 / 8 / 12

Aqueduct Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:08 PM ET; Withers Stakes $200k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #6 OTTINHO (8-5): Top pick. Top connections on the circuit with Prat and Brown. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #1 SCHOOLYARDSUPERMAN (2-1): Major Player. Potentially cycling to a top performance. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
• #2 FOURTH AND ONE (8-1): Major Player. Could wear these ones down late.
• #5 MAILATA (6-1): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 2 – 5

The Plays

Win: #6 at 9-5

Exacta Box: 6 / 1 / 2

Aqueduct Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 4:38 PM ET; Claiming $28k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 12 runners.

• #9 MYSTIC NIGHT (15-1): Prime Win Player. Should be able to work out a trip. Barn has been solid.
• #12 HE'S GOT THIS (5-1): Contender. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Good race flow for this runner.
• #5 RUN HAPPY PAPPY (8-1): Contender. Should sit a good trip. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #8 MISTER HOLDEN (6-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 9 – 12 – 5 – 8

The Plays

Win: #9 at 5-1

Exacta: 9 / 12,5,8

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Saturday Analysis

• Aqueduct Picks featuring the Withers Stakes (Kentucky Derby Points Race)
• Laurel Park Picks featuring the Spectacular Bid Stakes
• Oaklawn Park Picks featuring the Martha Washington Stakes- Cancelled due to Weather
• Gulfstream Park Picks featuring the Grade 3 Holy Bull (Kentucky Derby Points Race)
• Santa Anita Picks featuring the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes
• Tampa Bay Downs Picks featuring the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Stakes