Aqueduct Stakes Plays for Oct. 9

A trio of graded stakes events will highlight the Sunday card at Aqueduct.

Race 3 – Beldame S. (G2)

Three-time Grade 1 star #1 Nest (1-5) is a standout in the 1 1/8-mile affair. By Curlin, the sensational sophomore has never run a bad race in her lifetime and looms a menacing threat over these overmatched foes. I expect her to win comfortably.

Dual Grade 2 heroine #5 Travel Column (6-1) has back class and seems set to peak in her third run of the season since coming to conditioner Bill Mott. Frosted four-year-old has posted three bullet morning drills in succession for her local debut, and the gray figures to be prominent from the opening bell in this test, too. She will complete the exacta under Javier Castellano.

Race 6 – Futurity S. (G3)

A total of eight juveniles will dash six panels on the outer turf in a good handicapping assignment. The value of the cast is #4 Vacation Dance (12-1) for conditioner John Kimmel. The debut winner rises in class following a tally against state-bred foes at Saratoga, and I always take notice when this outfit sends out a first-time winner. The Lieutenant gray will rally from off the early tempo as a prime exotics contender beneath Castellano.

The one to beat, in my opinion, is Kentucky Downs maiden winner #7 Gaslight Dancer (3-1). Mike Maker pupil showed marked improvement when moving to the green for his second run, and the March foal could be a good one with further development.

Race 8 – Knickerbocker S. (G3)

A well-matched field of 10 will go postward in the nine-furlong turf test. In a race void of pace, #9 Safe Conduct (8-1) will have a chance to dictate things from the start for conditioner Phil Serpe. By Bodemeister, the four-year-old colt is a Canadian classic winner who also owns a stakes second in his lone prior try on the surface, so he possesses the class to be a factor in this spot.

The four-year-old colt was beaten to the front last time when unplaced at Saratoga, but I like his chance to clear soon after the start and be especially dangerous late with Jose Lezcano in the stirrups.