Aqueduct: How to bet the Gravesend and Queens County Stakes on Dec. 19

Aqueduct will play host to a pair of stakes races on their Sunday card.

Race 7 – Gravesend S.

A compact field of five will dash three-quarters of a mile in the first black-type test of the afternoon. Grade 2 winner #2 Majestic Dunhill (5-1) makes his first appearance since February and gets top billing while coming in fresh for George Weaver. The dark bay son of Majesticperfection lands in a spot where the pace of the race will be swift, and the one-run closer can capitalize from well off of the early tempo in the small field.

The Kentucky-bred dark bay has been training steadily since September for a solid layoff conditioner, and I expect him to receive a great set up in the heat with Manny Franco in the silks.

Wagers

• $40 win #2 Majestic Dunhill ($40)

Race 8 – Queens County S.

The 1 1/8-mile dirt endeavor features a well-matched field of nine in a potentially good betting race. Defending champ #2 Backsideofthemoon (6-1) is winless in his last nine outings, but I like him to post the upset and defend his title under Lezcano. The nine-year-old son of Malibu Moon owns 15 top-three results on the surface and could shoot to the lead early on in a field lacking a confirmed front runner.

The Patrick Reynolds pupil prepped for Sunday with a smart half-mile move at Belmont Park in his latest morning move. He will be tough to catch with a clean break from the gate.

#8 Mystic Night (5-2) was compromised by a slow pace in a deep allowance tilt at Keeneland most recently, and I think that the Chad Brown trainee will receive a more favorable trip on Sunday. The lightly-raced son of Into Mischief is perfect from a pair of local tries and will be a key for me in the gimmicks. Jose Ortiz has the assignment.

Wagers

• $3 trifecta 2 with 8 with all ($21)
• $2 trifecta 2 with all with 8 ($14)
• $1 trifecta 8 with 2 with all ($7)