Aqueduct Hotlist - April 23

Today’s NY Hot List races to watch – Saturday, April 23, 2022 at Aqueduct
By Matt Shifman and Bob Ehalt

Hot List Key:
 A: A preferred horse to watch                                 B: Secondary horse to watch
*C: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 1st through 3rd
*D: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 4^th or worst
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

6^th race [Clm 30000 N2L, 1 mi TURF] – (2) Malibu Star (D) was claimed for $16,000 when he was bet down to be the favorite from 5-1. He’s been off since February and makes his first start on the turf for the new trainer. (6) Practice Squad was claimed by Joe Sharp from a second in an optional claimer starter allowance at Fair Grounds. His two best races were on the grass. (8) Sonic Speed returned to the grass at Gulfstream Park in February and was a winner of a $25,000 maiden claimer. (9) Noble Conquest was last seen racing at Saratoga where he broke his maiden on the grass for Jorge Abreu.

8^th race [NY, NY Stallion Series, 6 ½ F] – (2) Barese brought his unbeaten record against NY-breds to the Wood Memorial where he was overmatched. Now, he returns to this state-bred stake where he already has won twice, both times racing around one-turn for Mike Maker. His last two speed figures are clearly the highest in this field. (1) Unique Unions returns from a January layoff. He has plenty of early speed which he flashed in a pair of NY-bred stakes. From the rail, he is going to try and win this race out front. (6) Mister Larry was a debut winner in January at Aqueduct and then tried an allowance and a stake. He will get blinkers on for the first time. (7) Kazmike was second in his two tries in NY-bred maiden special weights.

9^th race [Woodhaven, 1 1/16 Mi TURF] – (4) Fort Washington made his 2022 debut in the Columbia at Tampa where he rallied for third for Shug McGaughey. Today, the race is loaded with speed which should give him the right pace set-up. (6) Unanimous Consent won both of his starts which include a maiden special weight at Monmouth Park on the grass and then an allowance at Tampa in February. (1) Heaven Street was the winner of that Tampa stake against the top choice, but he won the race pressing the pace. (2) Ohtwoohthreefive will get back on the grass which is clearly his best surface. He was second by a nose behind the unbeaten stakes-winner Sy Dog.

10^th race [NY, Md 40000, 6F TURF] – (6) Limit Up (A) was bet down from 6-1 to 5-2 and got checked in the stretch run and makes his first grass start. (5) He’s Got It goes back to the grass where he ran his best race in his first career start. (4) Sharp Sensation showed early speed in his only race which came at the Fair Grounds in a race that was meant for the turf. Trainer Joe Sharp cuts him back in distance. (2) Tonalistic was well bet in both of his starts, first at Delaware Park in May and then at Aqueduct earlier this month. This will be his first turf start.

Best bets: Barese (8^th); Fort Washington (9^th). Best value: Malibu Star (6^th); Limit Up (10^th).

Saturday Pick 3 Special --
The Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 8-10 and includes two stakes  à 2 with 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 with 2, 4, 5, 6 = $20.