Aqueduct: How to Bet the Gravesend Stakes 2024

December 27th, 2024

A well-matched field of seven will speed six furlongs on the Aqueduct dirt in Saturday’s $150,000 Gravesend S., one of two black-type races on the card. I really liked the comeback effort from the Michelle Nevin-trained #2 Full Moon Madness in his allowance triumph most recently, and the gelding gets the nod as the leading pick in the dash. 

RELATED: How Do I Bet A Trifecta?

Gravesend Stakes Wagers for Aqueduct

  • $6 trifecta key 2 with 3,4,6 ($36)
  • $2 trifecta 3,4,6 with 2 with 3,4,6 ($12)

Full Gravesend Stakes Analysis

Bred in the Bluegrass State, the bay has flashed good potential since his juvenile season but has had a difficult time stringing races together to this stage of his development. The four-year-old ran two good ones on the oval last winter prior to going on the shelf for nearly 10 months, but he looked like the best version of himself last time when defeating a field that was of stakes quality, in my opinion. 

Full Moon Madness has the versatility to perform well from up close early, or from off the tempo, and he should be ready following a pair of solid morning moves in anticipation of Saturday. I expect Kendrick Carmouche to have the top pick settled in the second flight early before putting in his winning run. 

Bold Ruler S. (G3) victor #3 Runninsonofagun is in very good current form and has to be included for conditioner John Toscano, Jr. The Gun Runner gelding was a game second to Giant Mischief in the Fall Highweight S. in his latest try, and while he might regress a touch after toting 133 pounds last time, the five-year-old is too sharp currently to omit with Joel Rosario retaining the ride. 

The multiple-stakes placed #4 Maximus Meridius faces his elders for just the second time but is good enough to make an impact in the heat with his top showing. This Keystone State-bred gelding has performed well in each of his trio of local assignments to date, and the Butch Reid trainee brings good form to the race, as well. The bay has responded favorably since having blinkers removed three back and will have John Velazquez in the irons. 

Parx Sprint S. winner #6 Top Gunner is well drawn outside of the pace in the field and will be well positioned at the top of the lane under Manny Franco. The former claimer was third despite a wide voyage in the Fall Highweight last time and has top-three appeal for conditioner Brad Cox. 

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