The Cigar Mile Handicap Grade 2

$500,000

Aqueduct Racetrack
South Ozone Park, Queens, NY

When a race has many angles to sink your teeth into it can get frustrating as a gambler, but you also know it’s a race you want to hit because the payoff’s should be good, especially the exotic wagers.  That’s what we have in store for the Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct this Saturday. Hopefully the Trackman can steer you gamblers in the right direction, but no promises, lol.

Bomb of the party would be Gold from Spankys Barn. Small barn has consistently done well with putting horses on the lead over the past several years, even when they showed no prior gas. Gold has obviously shown gas and has been a good performer his whole career while never really having a resume for this type of race and that’s what makes him the bomb here. Spanky wastes no time in giving him the acid test. From a traditional handicapping stance he is looking in from the outside and needs to prove a lot, numbers wise, to topple the top runners here, but it would make a good story and would also pay big dividends. Big Bang Boom from Rock Creek is a four year old millionaire dropping from the Sports biggest race. If he can duplicate his run in the Whitney he can mow these guys down in the stretch. Themefrom Antarctica from Ajm Stables will also be moving late in here and has been knocking heads with some salty characters lately. Speed figures moving in the right direction and looks like a horse ready for a big performance. Post draw is the only concern and he must get a clean trip through traffic to score. If Tehran from Mb Stables can deal with the other speed in here he might be able to shake loose at the right time to be the target late. Winner of a million dollars himself, Tehran has many miles on his resume against tough nuts and that speed figure earned the last time he was in Queens puts him squarely in the hunt.

Of the rest;

Star Vault from Mb Stables got conditions to order in his last and won with something in reserve. Solid work over this track and numbers now approaching what’s needed. Food for thought.

Gymnast from Noblepark is a three year old star tackling older here in December. He is drawn well and has gas to get into whatever position the connections see fit. That prep work at Del Mar before shipping east is no joke.

American Nightmare from DJC is a four year old who fits right below number here. Has gas, well drawn, but might need to push too hard early unless his rider can get him to relax. Will need lifetime best to score here.

Parisian Arrow from Asgar draws the rail, has a couple big speed figures but also looks like he will need to relax early to score, something that looks tough to do here.

Allegedly from Night Rider Stables was just taken for $60,000 after a win for $28,000 so the new connections really must have wanted him. Still will need marked improvement to threaten these.

Spy State from Threshold is a five year old gelding with one lifetime win. He also just ran third for $5,000 claiming in New Mexico and is drawn on the far outside. A win today would be the biggest upset of the year. Expect $250 back for your two dollars if it does happen.

-Trackman

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES