$100k Franklin Square

$100,000 Franklin Square
Aqueduct

Race 8 (Saturday, February 23, 2019: 4:34 p.m./ET; 1:34 p.m./PT)

Six furlongs on the main track (New York-bred, three-year-old fillies)

One lucky owner of a New York-bred three-year-old filly will be rewarded with a sweet $60,000 check for winning this race – a reward for not only for winning this stakes race, but also for supporting the New York breeding industry. Let’s review the field in post position order:

#1 WADADLI PRINCESS makes her first start against winners after a gate to wire score against New-York bred maidens in lifetime start number three. She’ll have to work out a good trip from the inside post. Veteran jockey Jose Lezcano rides.

#2 MAIDEN BEAUTY has the most experience of anybody in the field, with six lifetime starts to her name. She broke her maiden in a stakes race over a sloppy track to kick off her career, but has lost five straight races since then. That said, she cuts back from a mile to this six-furlong distance, which is the only distance she has ever won at and top New York rider Manny Franco re-rides. Longshot possibility?

#3 STONESINTHEROAD is a perfect two-for-two. Daughter of BUSTIN STONES comes off a dominant six-length triumph against #5 QUIETUDE in a New-York bred allowance race. Both career wins came over this track and her speed figures indicate that she is quick enough to be competitive.

#4 FORGOTTEN HERO freshens up two-and-a-half months for trainer John Toscano, who wins at just 4% with layoff runners returning in that time frame. But this filly is another undefeated sophomore, with a maiden win and New York Stallion Stakes Series victory as her past performance lines. Mark down as a contender.

#5 QUIETUDE finished over six lengths behind #3 STONESINTHEROAD in her last afternoon appearance on February 3.

#6 FLUSH was purchased for $180,000 as a yearling and bombed in her career debut, but rebounded and posted a seven-and-a-half length runaway win in her second lifetime start over this track. She draws a good outside post for the 22% win percentage jockey/trainer combo of Junior Alvarado and Kiaran McLaughlin.

SELECTIONS

1. #6 FLUSH – Highest last race Beyer Speed Figure.

2. #3 STONESINTHEROAD – Going for the hat trick.

3. #4 FORGOTTEN HERO – Undefeated filly gets the acid test here.

LONGSHOT VALUE PLAY- #2 MAIDEN BEAUTY – Late threat.

WAGERING STRATEGY I’ll key my top pick on top in exactas while using my other three selections underneath. I’ll also make a win bet on my longshot value play.

BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget)

$10 Exacta: #6 FLUSH over #2 MAIDEN BEAUTY and #3 STONESINTHEROAD and #4 FORGOTTEN HERO ($30).

$20 Win: #2 MAIDEN BEAUTY