A field of seven fillies line up in the $100,000 Busanda at Aqueduct on Sunday.(Photo credit: © George Zilberman | Dreamstime.com)
A field of seven fillies line up in Sunday’s $100,000 Busanda at Aqueduct, a Road to the Kentucky Oaks points race. The nine-furlong test offers up 10-4-2-1 points toward entry into the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 1.
The Bill Mot trained Harvey’s Lil Goil is the 2-1 morning line favorite and faces winners for the first time. She was an impressive maiden winner going a mile over the Big A main track in her second career outing.
The daughter of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah drew the six post with her regular rider Junior Alvarado aboard. She shipped to Florida after her maiden win, but Mott elects to ship her back to New York to make her stakes debut.
Water White is the second choice on the morning line at 5-2. The Rudy Rodriguez trainee got a taste of nine furlongs here in her last outing, a fourth-place finish in the Demoiselle on Dec. 7. She graduated in her third career start going a mile.
She picks up a new rider in Jorge Vargas, Jr. and will break from the rail.
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The Busanda is the seventh race on the eight-race card at Aqueduct on Sunday. Post time for the feature is 4:25 ET.
My Best Plays Report for Sunday includes my nine strongest plays from Gulfstream Park and Aqueduct.
Let’s head out to Aqueduct for Sunday’s featured race of the day:
Aqueduct Race 7 The Busanda (Post time 4:25 ET)
1 Water White 5-2
6 Harvey’s Lil Goil 2-1
2 Ankle Monitor 12-1
3 Quality Heat 12-1
Water White
The filly makes her second try at nine furlongs her after a fifth-place finish last out in the Demoiselle (G2) which was her first start against winners. She raced near the back of the pack and could not make up much ground in the stretch, beaten 6 1/2 lengths while catching a racing strip that was kind to inside speed. She graduated two back at a mile after running a good second behind repeat winner Maedean three back. That filly won the tempted in her next outing on Nov. 1 and then was second in the Demoiselle. It appears she is going to get a more honest early pace to track in this spot. She is by Conveyance out of an Unbridled’s Song mare and has the pedigree to handle nine furlongs.
Harvey’s Lil Goil
The Mott trainee checked in fourth in her debut going long on turf and then graduated here last out going a mile over a wet track. She tracked the early pace and drew off with plenty left in the tank to win by six lengths. The runner up Persisto came back to graduate in her next outing here on Jan. 10. She ships back from Florida for the Mott barn and this gal looks as if she still has a ton of upside. She is by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah out of a Tapit mare that has dropped two other foals to race, both winners.
Ankle Monitor
The Maryland shipper graduated for $16,000 in her third career start and has been on the improve since. She was placed third in the Tempted and ran second in the Gin Talking two back at Laurel Park going seven furlongs. Last out she beat $16,000 starter optional claimers going a mile in the mud. The distance is a question mark as this will be her first trip going two turns and nine furlongs. She is in good hands with Gonzalez and should end up a generous price.
Wagering
WIN: #1 to win at 2-1 or better.
EXACTA: 1,6 / 1,2,3,6
TRIFECTA: 1,6 / 1,2,3,6 / 1,2,3,4,6
