Even though the weathers a bit cold, the horses don’t stop running. On Saturday, we have two Grade I Stakes races. The main event is the G1 Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct and the less of the two, being the G1 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos. The G1 Cigar Mile Handicap is for Colts, Three Years or Older while the G1 Starlet Stakes is for Two Year Old Fillies. There’s also several graded stakes taking place in Japan but, I usually stay away from those as I prefer the NYRA Circuit.
I’ll breakdown the G1 Cigar Mile Handicap and give my best bets for who will win this race.
Race History:
This event has been run each year at Aqueduct Racetrack since 1988. The Cigar Mile Handicap is named in honor of the legendary Hall of Famer Cigar. Then called the NYRA Mile, Cigar began his record setting 16 race win streak in 1994 with a win at the race by a record 7 lengths. Following his retirement, the race was renamed in his honor in 1997.
Race Information:
- Track: Aqueduct Racetrack (Queens, NY, USA)
- Event Grade: Grade I
- Race: 10
- Post Time: 4:13 PM ET
- Length: 1 Mile
- Purse: $750,000
- Division: Open | Three Years Old & Upwards
- Surface: Dirt
- Wagers: Exacta, Trifecta (.50), Super (.10) Wagers
TV Schedule:
- TVG
- America’s Day At The Races Youtube – 1:00 – 5:30 PM ET
Field:
| PP | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINER | A/S | WGT | ML |
| 1 | Following Sea (KY) | J. Velazquez | T. Pletcher | 3/ C | 119 | 5-1 |
| 2 | Plainsman (KY) | M. Franco | B. Cox | 6/ C | 119 | 12-1 |
| 3 | Americanrevolution (NY) | L. Saez | T. Pletcher | 3/ C | 117 | 5-2 |
| 4 | Code of Honor (KY) | T. Gaffalione | C. McGaughey | 5/ C | 120 | 6-1 |
| 5 | Independence Hall (KY) | J. Castellano | M. McCarthy | 4/ C | 121 | 7-2 |
| 6 | Ginobili (KY) | D. Van Dyke | J. Bailey | 4/ C | 122 | 7-2 |
| 7 | Olympiad (KY) | I. Ortiz Jr. | W. Mott | 3/ C | 114 | 10-1 |
| 8 | Pipeline (KY) | J. Ortiz | C. Brown | 3/ C | 114 | 15-1 |
Horse Preview:
(1) Following Sea, will lengthen out to a Mile here after only going a Mile + once in his seven starts. This horse has been a career sprinter but Trainer Todd Pletcher is quoted as saying his training has given him an indication that he’ll [Following Sea] will run farther. In his lone race at a 1 1/8 Mile, he finished 3rd in the G1 Haskell but ran his worse speed figure (86). In his last race out, Following Sea took 3rd in the G1 Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Prior to that he won the G2 Vosburgh Stakes which was at 7 Furlongs. This horse some class finishing in the money in every start but, it’ll be interesting to see if he can improve from his last outing at this distance.
(2) Plainsman, is the oldest horse in this race at 6 years old. He’ll run his first G1 Stakes after competing in several G3 Stakes. In his last out, he took 3rd in the Bold Ruler Handicap where he went off as the favorite in a 7F Sprint. Prior to that, he won the G3 Ack Ack Stakes which was run at a Mile. He’s had more success at longer distances but I’m not sure how he’ll do against this class of horses. This horse struggled in 2020 but has seemed to found some gas left in the tank so we’ll see if he can pull off the upset here.
(3) Americanrevolution, is the morning line favorite posted at 5-2. He switched from Sprints to a Mile + earlier this year and has had success winning three of four starts. He’s coming off a win in the Empire Classic Handicap where he won by 11 3/4 lengths. Prior to that he made his first Graded Stakes debut in the G1 Pennsylvania Derby and finished 3rd. Over the past three races this horse has looked good which is in line with his improved speed figures. He’s the lone New York bred horse so we’ll see if he can defend his turf from the Kentucky-bred’s and capture his first G1 win.
(4) Code of Honor, is the lone G1 winner in the field through wins in the 2019 G1 Runhappy Travers Stakes and the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. In his last start he was beaten by fellow entrant Independence Hall in the G2 Hagyard Fayette Stakes. His lone win this year comes back in August when he won the G3 Philip H. Iselin Stakes at a 1 1/6 Mile. Trainer Claude McGaughey is hoping for a little more pace in this race than in the Hagyard Fayette which will better suit Code of Honor’s running style. He’s set to retire in 2022 so this should be one of his last races.
(5) Independence Hall, won the G2 Hagyard Fayette his last time out beating Code of Honor. Prior to that race he took 2nd in the G3 Lukas Classic Stakes where he lost to Knicks Go, a worthy opponent and Horse of the Year candidate. He competed in two G1 Stakes in 2021 (TVG Pacific Classic Stakes & Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes) where he finished 5th and 3rd respectfully. This horse is carrying the second most weight but like Trainer Mike McCarthy said it’s hard to knock his last two races where he’d done well.
(6) Ginobili, the 4-year old gelding, this race is all about the cash since he cannot breed. He’s coming off a 2nd place finish in the G1 Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile losing to Life is Good. Prior to that he won the G2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at 7F where he drew away from the competition. He seems to be finding his stride during his 2021 campaign after going winless in 2020. We’ll see if he can continue his form here and a distance he’s had success in the past at.
(7) Olympiad, has only races twice this year with starts in September and October. His last outing in October was an $86k Allowance at 7F which he won. This will be his first race at a Mile as his previous races (four) have all been from 6-7F. He was some pedigree to his name but I’m not sure how he’ll fare in his first Graded Stakes at this distance. Jockey Joel Rosario who was originally slated to get the ride is out for a few weeks with a rib injury. The Irad Ortiz Jr has been named as the replacement.
(8) Pipeline, is another 3 year old who will try his hand in his first Graded Stakes. He’s also lengthening out to a Mile here from his previous starts. In his last out he ran in the Perryville Stakes at 7F and finished 3rd. I’m not really sure what they see in this horse to run him in this class of race or at this distance. He does have a solid Jockey-Trainer combination but even with that I still don’t see him competing in this race.
Race Preview:
Front Runner(s): Following Sea, Ginobili
Off the Pace/ Stalker(s): Americanrevolution, Code of Honor, Olympiad, Pipeline, Independence Hall, Plainsman
Closer(s):
Picks:
To WIN: (6) GINOBILI
This gelding looked great in the Patty O’Brien Stakes and in the Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. He lost to Life is Good his last time out and no horse in this race is as talented as that horse.
EXACTA: 6/ 1,5,7
Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting.
