aqueduct | Horse Racing Free Tips

Toys for Tots Back at Aqueduct

Unlike in 2020 when NYRA's Toys for Tots collection was entirely online because the COVID-19 pandemic had closed racing to fans, the 2021 campaign marks a return to a longstanding holiday tradition at Aqueduct, as Marines will be at the Big A on behalf of Toys for Tots to collect new, unwrapped toys that will be given as holiday gifts to disadvantaged children in the community. You can give this year online–and in-person at donation boxes at Aqueduct's main clubhouse entrance, as well as the Turf and Field entrance.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, now in its 74th year of giving, also collects monetary donations, which it uses to purchase toys. Fans can donate here via credit card with a secure one-step process; or by selecting and donating toys via the organization's virtual toy box. You can donate with a check made out to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation, and mailed to: U.S. Marine Corps; Attention: GySgt, John Sardine; 605 Stewart Avenue; Garden City, NY 11530.

“This year, fans will be able to give in person at the track or virtually, allowing us to continue the tradition of working with the Marine Corps Reserve to make sure children throughout New York City and across Long Island receive toys for the holidays,” said Vanessa Rodriguez Payne, NYRA Community Relations Manager. “New York racing fans and our employees have generously supported Toys for Tots for years, and we're thrilled to encourage that giving spirit again in 2021.”

As part of its support of the Toys for Tots Foundation, NYRA is making a financial contribution to the organization. Toys for Tots is also supported by generous contributions from the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) and thoroughbred owner Harold Lerner.

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Independence Hall Sharp in Cigar Mile Drill

Independence Hall (Constitution), coming off a 7 1/4-length win in the GII Fayette S. at Keeneland Oct. 30, breezed a bullet half-mile in :46.80 (1/25) Saturday at Churchill Downs ahead of next Saturday's GI Cigar Mile.

“I'm very happy with the way he worked,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “We wanted to go ahead and put a little air in his lungs and that's definitely what we got. A race like the Cigar Mile doesn't come around very often and we wanted to make sure we're nice and sharp.”

Independence Hall is two-for-two at Aqueduct, with wins in the 2019 GIII Nashua S. and 2020 Jerome S., both one-turn miles for former trainer Michael Trombetta.

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Miles D Possible for Saudi Trip

Peter Brant and Robert LaPenta's Miles D (Curlin) may have earned a trip to the G1 Saudi Cup in February with his victory in Saturday's Discovery S. at Aqueduct.

“I'm not one to send my horses to other continents to run. I like to stick to my circuits. But that race has been on my mind with the right style of horse,” trainer Chad Brown said. “This might be the kind of horse that fits for me trying one of those races. Although he's had a couple of hard races, he is lightly raced. If you look at his record, he hasn't had that many starts. He didn't have to do battle in the Triple Crown, and he doesn't have a ton of miles on him.”

Miles D was second in the Curlin S. and third in the GI Runhappy Travers S. over the summer at Saratoga and took a Belmont allowance in October before winning his first stakes race Saturday in his sixth career start.

Brown said Miles D was unlikely to target the Jan. 29 GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream where he would face Breeders' Cup winners Knicks Go (Paynter) and Life is Good (Into Mischief).

“I have to talk to the owners about it. I'm not really sure,” Brown said. “I'm not so much interested in the Pegasus against those two horses. I'll get him down there and see. There's definitely a pace scenario to consider as well. If I race in big races in the wintertime, it's horses that are lightly raced. With horses that have had long campaigns, I don't care how much money they offer me at any track. I don't really run them too much. This horse, there's a possibility that we keep on going with him.”

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Pletcher Breezes Cigar Mile Duo

'TDN Rising Star' Following Sea (Runhappy) and the progressive Americanrevolution (Constitution) worked a half-mile in company in :49.21 over the Belmont training track Saturday morning, with both 3-year-old colts headed towards next Saturday's GI Cigar Mile, presented by NYRA Bets.

Spendthrift Farm's Following Sea, two-back winner of the GII Vosburgh S., exits a third-place effort to Aloha West (Hard Spun) and Dr. Schivel (Violence) in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, while Americanrevolution ran up the score last time in the Oct. 30 Empire Classic, besting his New York-bred elders by 11 3/4 lengths over a sloppy Belmont main track.

“They both went well,” said trainer Todd Pletcher, a four-time winner of the Cigar Mile. “It was a good breeze for them both with a solid gallop out. They both seem to be happy and healthy, knock on wood.”

Seven 3-year-olds have won the Cigar Mile, including Maximum Security in 2019.

In other Cigar Mile news, Ginobili (Munnings), second to 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief) in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, tuned up for Saturday's race with a five-furlong drill at trainer Richard Baltas's San Luis Rey base in :59.60 Friday morning.

“It was an excellent work,” Baltas said on Friday evening. “He galloped out in 1:12 1/5 and out in 1:26 and did it in a gallop. I was really happy with the way he worked. He was more relaxed than usual.”

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