Mike Dempsey's Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.
AQU 8th #2 Vicious Rapids (15-1) has raced six times, all on the fake stuff at Presque Isle. Last out the gelding chased the early pace and weakened to finish fourth against Alw-3L company. Although that was at PI, that was a tough group. The winner Brass Bay came back to finish a game second in the Ky. Cup Sprint (G3) at Turfway Park. The runner up War Fighter came back to beat Alw-2 foes, then checked in third beaten a length in the Pelican Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. The gelding has a couple of good breezes over the dirt at Belmont Park and is in good hands with the Ferraro barn. The 15/1 ML looks generous. The barn is sporting a 5 for 8 mark (with a +ROI) with horses coming back off a 61-180 day layoff.
Oaklawn Park 8th #3 Syriana’s Song (8-1) is returning off a 2 ½ month break for the Tom Amoss barn. The mare came up short in the Dream Supreme Stakes in her last start at Churchill Downs, checking in sixth while beaten 3 ¾ lengths for the top spot. The winner of the race was She’s Our Annie, who returned to win the Esplande Stakes at Fair Grounds on Dec. 19. She has moved forward since shifting to the Amoss barn including popping a 103 Beyer three back winning a non winners of four allowance race at Mountaineer Park. She fits here with her best and has a strong barn in her corner.
Aqueduct
R2: #8 Cocobolo 15/1
R2: #4 Cayo Hueso 8/1
R3: #3 More Than a Reason 8/1
R4: #9 One Turn Eddie 8/1
R5: #6 Laudable 12/1
R5: #1 Mr. Bourbon Street 8/1
R7: #3 Star Over Malibu 12/1
R8: #2 Vicious Rapids 15/1
R9: #7 Morine’s Victory 8/1
R9: #10 Hurricane Heat 20/1
Good luck today!
