Aqueduct Saturday: Withers Stakes Next on the Road to Kentucky

One of three Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races will take place at Aqueduct. The Withers will feature a number of Derby hopefuls.

New York Preps

While the winner of this weekend's Withers will likely be a solid horse, the New York circuit has failed to produce in the Kentucky Derby with some of its rival circuits. The top contenders often win their prep races for the Derby in California, Arkansas, and Florida.

Saturday Stakes Analysis

All analysis in this piece was done prior to the release of official program numbers and morning lines. As always players are encouraged to check the Equibase website for accuracy regarding program numbers before placing wagers.

Toboggan Aqueduct Race 3

Post: 1:50 PM ET; Purse: $150,000 Toboggan S., 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 5

• #5 HAPPY MEDIUM looks formidable here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & pace numbers.
• #4 HOPEFUL TREASURE has to be respected today edging the field in several key handicapping factors including class & pace numbers.
• #2 REPO ROCKS has been super productive since switching barns and isn't without a shot here.
• #3 DRAFTED shouldn't have an issue with the 7 furlong distance.

Selections: 5-4-2-3

Withers Stakes-Aqueduct Race 8

Post: 4:25 PM ET; Purse: $250,000 Withers S., 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 11

The Kentucky Derby prep race will offer 10 points to the winning horse. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place finishers will get 4, 2, and 1 points respectively.

• #1 CONSTITUTIONLAWYER has a great shot in the race given the speed & stamina.
• #5 COURVOISIER is worth a look here given edges in class & race flow.
• #9 EARLY VOTING is worth a look here given the connections.
• #7 NONEEDTOWORRY would need a bit of improvement, but that frequently happens with horses this young.

Selections: 1-5-9-7

Saturday Undercard Analysis

Aqueduct Race 1

Post: 12:50 PM ET; Purse: $70,000 Maiden Special Weight, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

• #3 MENILY is worth a look here given edges in pace numbers & bloodlines.
• #5 ROYAL CURRENCY has an edge in class and has been running really solid numbers to this point.
• #2 KNOW IT ALL AUDREY could get the perfect setup in the race and has the top speed figures in the group.
• #7 TIFFANY TALE which has been absolutely crucial at the Big A this winter.

Selections: 3-5-2-7

Aqueduct Race 2

Post: 1:20 PM ET; Purse: $72,000 Allowance, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #3 FENWAY is worth a look here given edges in race flow & form.
• #1A TAPIZEARANCE should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & power rating.
• #1 GREAT WORKOUT is worth a look here given edges in class & pace numbers.
• #4 RAVEN ROCKS has to be respected based on the connections.

Selections: 3-101-1-4

Aqueduct Race 3

Post: 1:50 PM ET; Purse: $150,000 Toboggan S., 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 5

Toboggan Stake preview provided above.

Selections: 5-4-2-3

Aqueduct Race 4

Post: 2:18 PM ET; Purse: $32,000 Maiden Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #5 ILLUSTRIOUS is worth a look here given edges in stamina & power rating.
• #8 QUESTION MY SANITY is competitive based on a number of key racing metrics.
• #7 EL VEINTICUATRO merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & record at the distance.
• #1 R BOY CHEEKUM could get the best of the race flow with superior early pace numbers.

Selections: 5-8-7-1

Aqueduct Race 5

Post: 2:50 PM ET; Purse: $28,000 Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 10

• #5 TWISTED TOM is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
• #1 RUNABOUT is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & race flow.
• #8 POTANTICO makes a lot of sense her based on the recent form and wouldn't at all be a surprise to find the winner's circle.
• #3 NOBLE THOUGHT draws toward the inside and has plenty of early speed to get to the front.

Selections: 5-1-8-3 (Best Bet: #5 TWISTED TOM)

Aqueduct Race 6

Post: 3:22 PM ET; Purse: $36,000 Claiming, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 10

• #4 PRISONER is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & power rating.
• #10 SWINTON merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & form.
• #2 FOREST SPIRIT looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
• #3 BAR FOURTEEN is a hard knocking horse who always seems to put in a good effort.

Selections: 4-10-2-3

Aqueduct Race 7

Post: 3:55 PM ET; Purse: $82,000 Allowance, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 10

• #6 DUST DEVIL should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & form.
• #5 NO BURN could get an absolute dream trip drawing inside of the top selection.
• #4 THREE JOKERS is competitive in a lot key handicapping measures and should be competitive in this group.
• #7 SOUTHERN DISTRICT goes out for top connections that have to be respected any time they send out a runner.

Selections: 6-5-4-7

Aqueduct Race 8

Post: 4:25 PM ET; Purse: $250,000 Withers S., 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 11

Withers Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 1-5-9-7

Aqueduct Race 9

Post: 4:54 PM ET; Purse: $70,000 Maiden Special Weight, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 11

• #6 CURLIN'S WISDOM should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & power rating.
• #9 RELATE is worth a look here given edges in class & form.
• #5 DOUBLE MAKER looks competitive with this group and should at least be able to factor in the number.
• #7 RAW COURAGE has demonstrated early speed and could end up getting the best of the race flow in this spot.

Selections: 6-9-5-7

Betting News Handicapping Tools

While the big races will be on Saturday, Aqueduct will be running all weekend. The racing starts on Thursday and continues through Sunday. For help handicapping the cards that surround the Withers, don't forget to check out the free Betting News handicapping tools. These tools use artificial intelligence that can be a great help to making your selections