In today’s race of the day from Aqueduct there were ten horses originally entered when the race was drawn. Since entry time three horses have scratched. Of the seven remaining horses, five were ridden by Ramon Dominguez in their last race.

Today, Dominguez rides Mr. Fantasy for trainer Michael Hushion and is listed as the 8-5 favorite in the morning line. He’s had one race since April ’09 when he rolled home an easy winner over the naturally speedy and versatile This Ones For Phil in the G3 Withers at one mile over the main track at Aqueduct. He was the beaten favorite at GP last month in a race that has since seen the winner, Formidable, return to win his third in a row.

Selections: 6 – 3 – 2 – 1

As always, Daily Racing Form provides today’s free past performances at their website.

Here are today’s free horse racing tips, free past performance selections.

Race of the Day — March 19, 2010

Race 8
Aqueduct
NW4 Optional Claimer
$100K Claiming Price
$51K in purse money

#1 Shoptate — BugBoy Serpa is riding a nice percentage to start the career and goes for someone in the ‘Giant Killer’s’ family. Second time lasix and don’t like the rail draw but may be sitting on a big one if he can get away clean. Throw last race out as was stalking wide on an off track.
#2 Toulouse Lautrec — High percentage J/T combo makes this 4y.o. look like the favorite off that strong last performance and HLRB of a 96. At 9-5 we think he may bounce so be careful with him.
#3 Starforaday – Oldest runner in the field has six lifetime wins but doesn’t have enough speed to win at the A on a swift surface like is forecast for today. Check weather.com for the track conditions before the races you play for the day.

#4 Vicious Rapids — Another NW4 lifetime that fits the conditions and has a win at the track and distance. Carries a high weight again today and has been beaten by the favorite and others in here. J/T seem to be doing well but he’ll need to step up about 10 BP’s to win this.

#5 Mor Chances – This appropriately named six year old will get his thirty-first chance to race and he’ll be looking for win number ten. He’s the high earner in the field and sports a nice look on paper. He’s a state bred and has had no success in three attempts outside of his pedigree but ‘team Dutrow’ is always capable.

#6 Mt. Glittermore — With Glitterman in the bloodline an off track would suit him well. Claimed from Contessa from his last Asmussen sends him back out for $25K more then he paid for him. He’s listed at 3 to 1 but suspect him to be close to favorite. The conditions for today look to make the track real fast and with C.C. Lopez aboard he looks to be the controlling speed even on a fast track.

The free selections: 6 – 1 – 3 – 5

Value Play: #3

#1 Rapide One — One time winner at the distance but is 0 for 3 on the inner at Aqueduct. Ritvo is 0 for 23 at the meet. Best race was over muddy Belmont surface in maiden win last October. Pass

#2 C’Est Qui Ton Pere — Broke maiden for $20K against state breds then claimed in next by Galluscio for $25K. Dropped in for $16K and won easily as favorite. Gets in light with BugBoy Serpa. Has stalking speed and is 2 for 3 at distance over the surface.

#3 Raynick’s Jet — Asmussen takes over from Preciado with trainer switch. Adds blinkers and switches to Cohen for this. Broke maiden at track and distance. Cuts back today and will be in it late.

#4 Vital Argument — Started career at Finger Lakes breaking maiden first time out then narrowly defeated in FLJuvenile Stakes. Shows speed going longer but is 0 for 2 at distance and 0 for 3 at track. Pass.

#5 Irving Rules — Beat one horse in disappointing start over turf at 3 to 1. Broke maiden in second start over sloppy main track at Aqueduct last November. Unsuccessful in starter allowance try at Philly to start the year then dropped to claiming ranks here to win easily for Pletcher. Will be pushing the speed every step with Luzzi. Lookout.

#6 Backcountry Boy — Closed five wide to break maiden in last at today’s distance. Beyers are on the low side for this group. Trainers stats aren’t favorable for this but Smarty Jones colt will be coming late.

#7 Come From Behind — NW2 lifetime this speedy type is 0 for 3 at distance. Should be right there from the start with Lopez. Last race with blinkers is a throw-out and look for this one to be there at the wire.

#8 Cajun Jet — Second out after long layoff for Dutrow and reunites with Dominguez. Broke maiden at 5f in mud at Saratoga last June. High percentages for barn with jockey. Like others better.

Selections: 5-3-7-8

Click here to see the video replay race of the day.

In today’s race of the day the winner was the recently claimed horse we mentioned in our analysis.

A. Serpa came thru a narrow seam to get up at the wire with Sawtooth Mountain and record the third winner on the card for the young apprentice jockey.