Today’s ninth race (3/23) at the Aqueduct is the 101st running of the $150,000
Gr. III Excelsior. This race will
consist of three year olds and upward running a mile and an eighth over the
dirt.
#4 – Mordi’s Miracle
(4-1) will be making his graded stakes debut for trainer Todd Pletcher
today. The son of Lawyer Ron was last
seen finishing gamely in an optional claiming race back on March 2nd
behind Percussion. The chestnut colt has
two wins and one second from seven career starts but all three of those scores has
come in his last three races. Chris
DeCarlo will re-take the mount on Mordi’s Miracle.
#2 – Last Gunfighter
(5-2) has four wins since making the switch to Chad Browns barn. The First Samurai colt will also be making
his graded stakes debut today. In eight
career starts Last Gunfighter has yet to miss the board with four wins, two
seconds and two thirds. Rajiv Maragh
will be back aboard the dark bay colt today.
#1 – Colizeo (5-1)
will be looking for his second graded stakes victory today the other coming
back in 2010 in the Gr. III Northern Dancer.
In his last start the Distorted Humor horse won under a hand ride from
Jose Ortiz. The Gustavo Rodriguez trainee
has a career record of six wins, three seconds, and five thirds from 26
starts. Cornelio Velasquez will take the
irons today.
#7 – Ruler On Ice
(3-1) could very well be the favorite come post time. The famous gelding of Roman Ruler won the Gr.
I Belmont Stakes back in 2011 but has done little since. The Kelly Breen trainee has four wins, four
seconds, and three thirds from 17 starts with his career earnings totaling just
over $1.6 million. Irad Otiz Jr. will be
riding Ruler On Ice.
Plays:
$12 win on 4
$3 Exacta 4/1 – 2/7
$1 trifecta key 4/1 – 4/1/2 – 1/2/6/7