Stakes Selections for Aqueduct on Nov. 11

A pair of graded tilts on the lawn will highlight the racing at Aqueduct on Saturday. 

Race 6 – Pebbles S. (G3)

Sophomore fillies will travel one mile on the sod in the first stakes event of the day. Klaravich Stables’ #7 Startup Mentality is making a hefty class rise from a maiden race at Monmouth in the summer to this spot, but the daughter of Kingman might well be up to the task in her second career assignment. The bay lass went last-to-first in impressive fashion in her lone race to date, and I think that the placement in this affair tells me that she might be a very good one. Irad Ortiz, Jr., taking the reins adds to her appeal. 

Grade-1 placed #6 Sacred Wish has taken well to the green since moving to the turf two back for conditioner George Weaver. The Not This Time sophomore was a sharp winner of the Winter Memories S. on the course two back, which preceded a closing fourth in the Valley View S. (G3) at Keeneland last time out. Javier Castellano inherits the mount. 

#2 Plentitude stretches out in distance for the first time and is worth a look with Dylan Davis in the stirrups. One of two in the field for Clement, the Quality Road filly is bred to enjoy going longer and might be of good value in the contest. 

Wagers:

• $2 trifecta 7 with 2,6 with all ($28)
• $1 trifecta 7 with all with 2,6 ($14)

Race 9 – Red Smith H. (G2)

An overflow field of 16 will vie in the 1 3/8-mile turf tilt. The Richard Dutrow-trained #12 Master Piece wasn’t done any favors by drawing outside in the group, but I like his chances in the race, nonetheless. The Mastercraftsman seven-year-old performed well in 2022; he ran a pair of very good marathon races on the lawn in the winter in Florida, and he has excuses for his pair of outings in the summer, as well. The Chilean-bred gray has been training in very good fashion as of late, and I expect him to capitalize on a fast pace en route to victory under Jose Lezcano. 

I could make a case for nearly every other contender in the field to finish second, so I’ll wheel the top pick up and down in my wagers. 

Wagers:

• $4 exacta 12 with all ($44)
• $1 exacta all with 12 ($11)