Top Stakes to Bet On: Aqueduct to Santa Anita Park

Aqueduct canceled racing this past Saturday, which is why the Big A will run the Grade 3 Withers for 3 year old Kentucky Derby hopefuls this Saturday on Feb. 12. In addition to the Withers, Derby hopefuls step onto the synthetic track at Golden Gate Fields for the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby.

Check out the horse racing lines for six of this Saturday’s top stakes races.

Top Stakes Races for the Week

Aqueduct Racetrack

When: Saturday, February 12, 2023
Where: Aqueduct Racetrack, New York City

Course type: Flat/Thoroughbred
Surface: Dirt

Grade 3 Withers – 1 1/8 miles dirt – 3 year olds
It’s not often we can say Bill Mott will saddle the chalk. In this case, we must. Jungfrau, a Juddmonte owned runner, goes first time after a stunning maiden victory. No doubt, Jungfrau will attract more action than Todd Pletcher trained Classic Catch, or Hit Show from the Brad Cox barn. Arctic Arrogance, Prove Right, Andiamo a Firenze, Ninetyprcentmaddie, and Thirsty John should also run.

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Tampa Bay Downs

When: Saturday, February 12, 2023
Where: Tampa Bay Downs, Oldsmar, Florida

Course type: Thoroughbred
Surface: Dirt

Suncoast Stakes – 1 mile & 40 yards – 3 year old fillies
Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Wonder Wheel goes first time since the BC victory. The Mark Casse trained miss will go off the big time chalk.

Julia Shining, trained by Todd Pletcher, and another Casse filly, Ticker Tape Home, should be closest to Wonder Wheel in the betting. Chad Brown hopes to upset the top three with Guns N’ Graces. Navy Goat and Champagne Calling will also enter the starting gate.

Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes – 1 mile & 70 yards – 3 year olds
Most horseplayers will back Danny Gargan trained Dubyahnell or Litigate from the Todd Pletcher barn. Bill Mott trained Classic Legacy projects as the third choice.

Mark Casse trained Champions Dream and Prairie Hawk from the Saffie Joseph barn will attract action. So will Mike Maker trained Worthington.

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Gulfstream Park

When: Saturday, February 12, 2023
Where: Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida

Course type: Thoroughbred
Surface: Dirt, Turf, Tapeta

Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint – 5 furlongs turf – 4 year olds & up
Shekky Shabaz might go off the favorite, but it won’t be by much. The Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint is wide-open.

Other contenders include Saffie Joseph trained County Final, Carotari trained by Brian Lynch, and The Critical Way from the Jose Delgado barn. Full Disclosure, Yes I Am Free, and Rockcrest are also likely entrants with a chance.

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Golden Gate Fields

When: Saturday, February 12, 2023
Where: Golden Gate Fields, Berkeley, California

Course type: Thoroughbred
Surface: Synthetic, Turf

Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby – 1 1/8 miles synthetic – 3 year olds
Bob Baffert will put the saddle on the chalk, Gilmore, a Twirling Candy sired runner. After Gilmore, second choice should fall to Chase the Chaos trained by Ed Moger.

Baffert plans on running another in Nullarbor. Steve Specht trained Passarando will attract action. Also, Peter Miller might send Thirsty John to NoCal instead of shipping the Stay Thirsty sired colt to New York for the Withers.

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Santa Anita Park

When: Saturday, February 12, 2023
Where: Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California

Course type: Thoroughbred
Surface: Turf

Grade 3 Sweet Life Stakes – 6 ½ furlongs turf – 3 year old fillies
Horseplayers should expect a full field for this year’s running of the Grade 3 Sweet Life Stakes. Bob Baffert projects to have the favorite in Bernardini trained Fast And Shiny.

Doug O’Neill plans on saddling a pair of contenders in Satin Doll and Happy Gal. Excelia, trained by Phil D’Amato, and Jeff Mullins trained Ragtime Rose are two more that could win this. Make sure to handicap every angle before deciding on which filly you’re backing to take the top prize.