Fall Highweight Handicap 2019 Picks
Fall Highweight Handicap – G3
Purse: $200,000
Distance: 6 furlongs
Age: 3YO and Up
Rain and freezing temperature will be a factor when the field of 7 older horses will make their way to the starting gate for the Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct.
The field includes Nicodemus, trained by Linda Rice, he was vanned off after his last start in July in the G2 John Nerud. Before that he rallied into 4th behind Strike Power and Recruiting Ready in the G2 True North. He’ll face off against those two while picking up weight. Third choice in the ML at 4-1, he’ll be ready to run.
Fall Highweight Handicap 2019 field by post position with analysis
1. No Distortion – Picks up just two pounds and will carry the least weight of all (122) fresh off a nice win here in a $40K claiming race. Loves the Big A and the off track won’t faze him. 30-1 is a scary big number in a race like this. Happy Farm has beaten him already but if they’re coming from off the pace when they get to this race, a $2 saver could be a day maker.
2. Nicodemus – Was entered in Saturday’s G1 Cigar Mile, which seemed like a tough spot to bring this guy back from a five month layoff. But trainer Rice is known to have them ready to run when she enters. Was second at Churchill in only start at this distance. And Luzzi has ridden him to victory in the sloppy Westchester at Belmont earlier in the year. Still eligible for NW4 lifetime. Vanned off after his last start. Carrying more weight than ever. But obviously, there isn’t much concern and will get a favorably wet track. CHOICE.
3. Recruiting Ready – 1 for 1 at the Big A when winning the Gravesend Stakes at this distance a year ago. Will carry 12 more pounds than he did that day. Comes in as the 6-5 favorite having won two of his last three at Churchill. Winner of the G2 Gulfstream Park Sprint in the spring, this level seems his limit as he’s been defeated in tougher graded tests. Off track should not be a problem.
4. Strike Power – Off track has been his undoing. Three times a winner in 11 career starts, he has a fast turn of foot which will only add to the pace pressure and should sink his ship. But with 3 of the 7 entered to go being nothing more than high priced claimers, his chances improve as the second choice at 5-2. 0 for 1 at distance and first time over the track are strikes against the power of the good record of success enjoyed by connections.
5. Wonderful Light – Nice place to try and get a graded win in the books for this guy who broke maiden here two years ago. But this will be his first attempt in graded company while adding considerable weight. Connections are strong — but failed to finish off a restricted field at Laurel as the heavy favorite last time out.
6. Seethisquick – One of the claimers who is NW4 lifetime eligible. Trainer has sent out 14 at the meet, logging a goose egg in the win column. Has had the benefit of a break in the weight over his past four outings carrying a bugboy. But picks up 10 pounds off his second place finish going 1 mile here last month. Beaten twice by Happy Farm.
7. Happy Farm – Good record at the distance but has failed several times as the favorite at Aqueduct in modest claiming ranks finishing second 4 out of 5 times he ran. Trainer Servis won the G1 Cigar Mile yesterday with Maximum Security. And this guy is on a three race win streak since Servis took over off a $30K claim in March. Steadily improving and cuts back a 1/2 furlong. Picks up just two pounds more than he carried lately when winning but gets a new rider — who happens to be batting 1.000 when getting the leg up from Servis. 6-1 is a nice price to take a shot.
