NYRA Preview: Aqueduct 2/28

Race 7: AOC for New-York-bred 4-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt which have never won $13,000 two times other than maiden, claiming or starter bred allowance races. Claiming price: $40,000

Today’s feature race is one of the more perplexing races to figure out on today’s card. Le General possesses the best early speed in the field, but he has failed to finish better than third in any start since December 2018. If given the chance, he can run away from this group, but his recent efforts have not shown his ability to go gate-to-wire. Playthatfunnymusic dominated on December 13 here at the Big A, but his last two efforts were lackluster at best.. He is in for the $40,000 tag today and should run a big race for Michael Tannuzzo who is winning at 28% so far at the meet. My top choice however is #6 The Caretaker for a few different reasons. La General will look to set early fractions, but he is not the only one with early speed. I expect a quick pace up front, which sets up well for The Caretaker. Rudy Rodriguez gave The Caretaker an opportunity to try against better competition in the Say Florida Sandy Stakes. This effort came after winning by open lengths against non-winners of one allowance horses in the start prior. It wasn’t the best race but he drops into a much easier field today where he belongs. The Caretaker also gets bugboy Romero Maragh, who is one of the rising stars in horse racing and is more than capable of bringing the morning-line favorite home.

Ricky’s Picks: 6-7-2-5