Aqueduct Race 5 – Post Time: 1:46 ET
4 – Basquiat (4-1)

Though he could only manage to finish second as the even money favorite in a recent allowance race to subsequent stakes winner Ever Dangerous, this son of American Pharoah ran well enough in defeat to indicate he can make amends in this listed stakes race restricted to 3-year-olds. In a race that probably will be slowly run early, the C. Brown-trained colt needs to be allowed to show his natural speed (he wasn’t last time) and if ridden with more aggression today he should be able to show his best stuff. At 4-1 on the morning line he's worth a gamble.



Aqueduct Eighth Race – Post Time: 3:15 ET
5 – Thankful (4-1)

Improving with every start, this daughter of American Pharoah faces her stiffest task to date in this year’s renewal of the Comely S.-G3 over nine furlongs but if she continues to improve she could easily be up to the task. Most recently the T. Pletcher-trained filly captured a first-level allowance race in late September with a career top speed figure and then was scratched as a main-track only entrant in the Winter Memories S. on turf two weeks ago. With proven winning form over this distance and a healthy series of recent works, she offers wagering value at or near her morning line of 4-1.



Del Mar Seventh Race – Post Time: 3:30 PT
4- Say the Word (5-1)

Appears to have found his niche as a turf marathoner after registering a career top victory in the 12-furlong Northern Dancer S.-G1 at Woodbine last month and arrives for his California debut in peak form for new trainer P. D’Amato. The long-winded son of More Than Ready has appeared very sharp in a pair of local breezes, picks up F. Prat, and with a little help up front should be capable of proving superior when the pressure is turned on from the quarter pole to the wire. In a contentious edition of the Hollywood Turf Cup-G1, the veteran gelding looks appealing at 6-1 on the morning line.