Truth Hurts is the Go for Wand value play

Six fillies and one mare will go postward in Saturday’s $250,000 Go for Wand H. (G3) at Aqueduct. The affair, which is contested at a one-turn mile on the main surface, kicks off the highly attractive late Pick 4, which comprises four graded stakes tilts. I will side with a value play to kick off the sequence.

The Chad Summers-trained #6 Truth Hurts (5-1) notched her second lifetime stakes victory when rolling home a fine winner of a Pumpkin Pie S. divison at Belmont Park on Oct. 31. By Tonalist, the four-year-old bay has flashed potential for some time and is finally putting it all together as of late. I believe that an equipment change had a lot to do with that.

Truth Hurts was equipped with blinkers four back and soundly defeated her foes in the Perfect Sting S. that was originally scheduled for the turf. She finished a solid fourth in the Honorable Miss S. (G2) behind some superb foes in her next venture, prior to being outrun in the subsequent Ballerina S. (G1).

Ontario-bred lass has improved her Brisnet Speed figure with each try since adding the hood, and she is also 2-for-3 on the local strip and at the distance. She lands in a field where the speed is on the inside, which will give pilot Tyler Gaffalione the opportunity to stalk the tempo while always in the clear. Truth Hurts can pass tiring leaders in the stretch at a nice number.

#2 Lady Rocket (8-5) took the other Pumpkin Pie division and is the one to beat for conditioner Brad Cox. Consistently good daughter of Tale of the Cat has had an excellent year while compiling a 7-3-3-1 mark in 2021, led by stakes triumphs in two of her last three performances. However, I think that the combination of her running an extra furlong and getting pressure throughout could leave her a bit vulnerable late at a short price. Kentucky-bred is a must-use, nonetheless. Irad will be in the silks.

Defending champ #7 Sharp Starr (7-2) loves the course and draws well outside, but she is not the most consistent horse in training and I will let her beat me on Saturday.

Go for Wand Wagers

• $20 exacta 6 with 2 ($20)
• $3 trifecta 6 with all with 2 ($15)

Bonus Wager

• 50-cent Pick 4: 6 with 1,2,3,7 with 5,6 with all ($32)