Friday, January 16, 2026
Winter racing at Aqueduct Racetrack is where discipline matters. Cold air, dirt surfaces, short fields — this isn’t chaos betting, it’s process betting. Let the public chase names. We’ll chase edges. Let’s break it down race by race.
🔹 Race 1 – Claiming $50,000 | 6½ Furlongs
Post: 12:40 PM
Top Pick: 🥇 (1) Moonlight Gal
Strong value play here. Franco’s win rate pops, and this one profiles well in a pace-controlled sprint.
Main Threats:
- (6) Kadena – Chalky but reliable, Prat on board always matters
- (3) Chocolatechocolate – Consistent in-the-money profile
Prediction: 1 – 6 – 3
💡 Exacta & Trifecta boxes make sense in a tight opener.
🔹 Race 2 – Starter Allowance $60,000 | 1 Mile
Post: 1:09 PM
Top Pick: 🥇 (5) Sassy Princess
Stretching out with confidence. Franco + route distance = green light.
Main Threats:
- (3) Heavenly Light – Prat keeps this honest
- (1) Sassafrassness – Sneaky rail trip potential
Prediction: 5 – 3 – 1
🔹 Race 3 – Claiming $35,000 | 6 Furlongs
Post: 1:38 PM
Top Pick: 🥇 (5) Mo Attitude
This race screams volatility — and that’s where price hunters eat.
Main Threats:
- (1) Tammy’s Cruiser – Reliable but not explosive
- (2) Truthorconsequence – Tactical speed keeps her live
Prediction: 5 – 1 – 2
🔹 Race 4 – Claiming $52,000 | 1 Mile
Post: 2:08 PM
Top Pick: 🥇 (6) Magical Ways
Best win percentage horse and jockey in the field. No overthinking.
Main Threats:
- (2) Aggregation – Grinder who sticks around
- (3) Cool Andy – Fits underneath exotics
Prediction: 6 – 2 – 3
🔹 Race 5 – Maiden Claiming $34,000 | 1 Mile
Post: 2:38 PM
Top Pick: 🥇 (6) So Vain
Heavy favorite — and deserved. This is a “don’t get cute” race.
Value Play:
- (4) Hudson River Line – Double-digit odds worth boxing
Prediction: 6 – 4 – 3
🔹 Race 6 – Maiden Special Weight $75,000 | 1 Mile
Post: 3:08 PM
Top Pick: 🥇 (6) Blue Note
Prat + MSW = respect. Logical top play.
Live Outsiders:
- (7) Roseberns Dream – Pricey but improving
- (3) R U Bluffing – Tactical positioning matters here
Prediction: 6 – 7 – 3
🔹 Race 7 – Claiming $32,000 | 6 Furlongs
Post: 3:38 PM
Top Pick: 🥇 (5) Moon Gate
Speed, form, and a jockey who wins — that’s the recipe.
Bomb Alert: 💣
- (6) Dolce Sera – Massive odds, usable underneath
Prediction: 5 – 2 – 6
🔹 Race 8 – Claiming $35,000 | 1 Mile
Post: 4:08 PM
Top Pick: 🥇 (2) Kavanaugh
Best closer on paper. If pace heats up, this one rolls late.
Main Threats:
- (4) Prince of Dance – Value play
- (6) Fever Night – Strong consistency
Prediction: 2 – 4 – 6
🧠 Final Betting Take
Aqueduct winter cards reward structure, not gut feelings. Short fields mean tighter margins — exactas and trifectas over wild win bets. Track what you bet, review what works, and stop guessing.
That’s exactly why serious bettors use ATSStats.com — not to brag, but to find their real edge. Data doesn’t lie… people do.
🎯 Bet smart. Bet accountable. Let the numbers do the talking.
