Peter Pan Stakes Day Picks at Aqueduct (5-9-26)

I’m taking a look at the four stakes races on Peter Pan Stakes Day at Aqueduct, including the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes, which serves as a key prep race for the Belmont Stakes. The past performance data referenced throughout this analysis is provided by Complete Digest from Today’s Racing Digest.

Grade 3 John A. Nerud Stakes Analysis

The sixth race is the Grade 3 John A. Nerud Stakes at six furlongs on the main track. The favorite appears to be One Nine Hundred, and that runner could absolutely prove difficult to catch if left alone on the front end. He likes Aqueduct, prefers this six-furlong trip, and projects as the controlling speed.

Still, I’m siding with Full Moon Madness as my top choice. This runner has already proven effective at Aqueduct and at this exact distance. Last time out in a Grade 3 at Aqueduct on February 28, he narrowly missed by a nose while earning a strong 138 Final Time Rating and a 140 Pace Rating.

What I like most is the projected trip. Full Moon Madness does not need the lead. He can sit just off the pace, track comfortably, and make his move turning for home. Reylu Gutierrez gave him a smart tactical ride last time, and if the pace gets even mildly contested, this horse could wear down the favorite late.

My Betting Takeaway

Full Moon Madness offers the right combination of tactical speed, local form, and pace setup to upset the likely favorite.

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