How to Bet the Red Smith Stakes

A field of 16 is entered for the Saturday feature at Aqueduct, the $200,000 Red Smith S. (G3). The well-matched cast, which includes also-eligibles and main-track-only contenders, will travel 1 ⅜-miles on the turf in what is an excellent betting event.

Analysis

The pace of the Red Smith is likely to be strong, as well as contested. Tiz A Slam will be sent by Steven Bahen from his rail post, and he is likely to receive pressure throughout from Red Right Hand and Glorious Empire.

Marzo, Dot Matrix, Have At It and Postulation should be in the next flight and in close attendance.

Wagers

• $20 Win and Place #3 Nakamura = $40
• $3 Exacta Key Box 3 with 1,2,7,8 = $24

Here is the Red Smith field:

#1 TIZ A SLAM (8-1) – Roger Attfield trainee had a three-race graded stakes win streak snapped when fourth in the Northern Dancer (G1) most recently. Classy son of Tiznow was game in defeat, however, and he looks like the one to catch with a clean break from the fence.

#2 PETIT FILS (8-1) -- Group 3 invader makes his U.S. debut for Christophe Clement. Four-year-old gelding has been first or second in 10-of-13 career tries, and the import will receive Lasix for the Red Smith. Joel Rosario will be up.

#3 NAKAMURA (10-1) -- Steadily improving son of Animal Kingdom exits a fine try when a clear second in the Sycamore (G3) at Keeneland. Powerful late runner comes in with a pair of bullet drills, and he rates a big chance with another move forward today. Jose Ortiz will be aboard.

#4 MARZO (10-1) -- Sycamore (G3) upsetter has run two big ones following an expensive claim by Mike Maker. Talented son of Medaglia d’Oro shows very good form in preparation of his local bow with Irad Ortiz in the controls.

#5 RED RIGHT HAND (15-1) – Tom Morley trainee has reached new heights since moving to the lawn, entering with three straight wins on turf. Lookin At Lucky chestnut will add to the pace of the field with John Velazquez inheriting the mount.

#6 DOT MATRIX (12-1) -- Multiple stakes victor leaves the state-bred ranks to try graded foes for the always dangerous Brad Cox. Freud gelding is a mystery stretching out in distance with Jose Lezcano on board.

#7 SADLER’S JOY (8-5) -- Classy son of Kitten’s Joy has gone close in both the Sword Dancer (G1) and Turf Classic (G1) in his most recent endeavors. Tom Albertrani trainee is the class of the field and comes in fresh as an obvious win threat. Chestnut won his lone prior try on Aqueduct’s turf, too. 

#8 RED KNIGHT (6-1) – Bill Mott trainee was a smart winner of the Point of Entry at Belmont last time out. Pure Prize gelding captured his lone try over the course, and he will be a late factor with something resembling his most recent performance. Junior Alvarado will be up.

#9 HAVE AT IT (30-1) -- Clement charge is winless since a coup in the 2018 Hill Prince (G2) at Belmont Park. Four-year-old will need a career best to challenge this fine cast inside the final furlong with Manny Franco riding.

#10 POSTULATION (20-1) -- Dangerous son of Harlan’s Holiday has been in solid form in 2019 following a trio of good stakes tries, including a third in the Sycamore most recently. Michael Matz pupil has the tactical speed to get first run on the deep closers beneath Jorge Vargas Jr.

#11 GLORIOUS EMPIRE (6-1) -- Grade 1 winner has been unplaced in two tries at shorter trips in 2019 for James Lawrence. Speedy sort draws outside, but he has back class and will relish the return to a marathon distance third time back. Eight-year-old will have Edgar Prado in the controls.

#12 ZUMURUDEE (30-1) (AE) – Michael Stidham trainee was an even fifth in the Sycamore in a most recent attempt. Stormy Atlantic gelding is unproven at this level, and he would be a surprise from this post if he draws into the field.

#13 MOKHEEF (50-1) (AE) -- Street Cry gelding was a smart winner over first-level allowance runners at Laurel Park in September, but this class rise might be too ambitious for the five-year-old.

#14 BACKSIDEOFTHEMOON (2-1) (MTO) -- Malibu Moon gelding was a sharp winner in a one-turn mile allowance on the dirt here, and he would be one to consider if the race gets washed off the green for Rudy Rodriguez.

#15 BON RAISON (7-2) (MTO) -- Stakes victor is inconsistent but comes off an allowance upset on the dirt at Belmont Park over a nice cast. Dark bay colt will need to pair up big efforts before being considered a major contender, however.

#16 DYNAMAX PRIME (5-2) (MTO)  -- Five-year-old son of Bluegrass Cat has the top dirt form in the field and has finished first or second in six of seven since arriving in this barn. New York-bred split an excellent pair when second in the Empire Classic most recently, and he will be the one to beat if the race comes off the lawn.