Aqueduct Race Selections: Grade 2 Wood Memorial, Gazelle Stakes

By Rick Francis —-

AQUEDUCT

Race 8) Grade 2 Gazelle Stakes 3yo Fillies 1& 1/8th Miles Post Time 4:47 EDT

5) Always Shopping (Pletcher/Franco); peaking at the right time as Awesome Again filly cleared the Busanda field here in February, a contest run at today’s distance.

4) Positive Spirit (Brisset/Ortiz, J.); didn’t much care for anything at Fair Grounds as she was fractious in paddock as the starting gate; won the G2 Demoiselle here in December.

2) Espresso Shot (Abreu/Cancel); owns two wins and a a second from three Aqueduct starts.

3) Off Topic (Pletcher/Velazquez); comes off a tough place try at Oaklawn.

Selections: 5, 4, 2, 3

Race 10) Grade Wood Memorial Stakes 3yo 1&1/8th Miles Post Time 6pm EDT

1) Tax (Gargan/Alvarado); gut check score last out in the Withers, his second straight triple-digit speed figure.

2) Tacitus (Mott/Ortiz, J.); winner of two straight taking the Tampa Bay Derby in driving fashion.

4) Haikal (McLaughlin/Maragh); just a neck away from being a perfect 4-for-4; closed from well back to win the Gotham.

10) Outshine (Pletcher/Velazquez); had every chance to catch Tacitus in the TB Derby just couldn’t get it done; still a win factor.

Selections: 1, 2, 4, 10