Horse Racing – Aqueduct Betting Odds: Life is Good Headlines

The Aqueduct betting odds have been released for the Woodward and Champagne Stakes, which run for $500,000.

Headlining the action is Life is Good in the Woodward, which attracted only five runners but it should be a quality race.

The Aqueduct schedule and entries have a bigger field for the Champagne, so it should be competitive weekend racing.

Pletcher Guns for Fourth

Trainer Todd Pletcher seeks his fourth Woodward victory and Life is Good is all the rage with betting markets.

The 4-year-old colt owns eight wins from 10 starts, including the Grade I Whitney Stakes last time out, so he’s the best runner in the race.

Pletcher believes the Aqueduct betting odds favorite is an impressive type.

“He’s a very consistent and impressive horse to watch train,” Pletcher told The Paulick Report.

“He’s a very consistent and impressive horse to watch train,” Pletcher told The Paulick Report.

“He’s basically done that every single time we’ve breezed ever since he came to us. You always want things to go smoothly. He’s an extremely talented horse. We just always hope that everything goes according to plan. It doesn’t ever surprise me, but it is just remarkable how consistent he’s been every single day he’s out there. Every breeze is impressive and that’s just what we’ve come to expect of him.”

Looking to upset favorite is Keepmeinmind, who won at allowance level two back before running fifth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

The son of Laoban is only a two-time winner but he owns a placing in the Jim Dandy and fourths in the Travers Stakes and Preakness Stakes.

Beating Life is Good won’t be easy but he’s the second best pick in our horse racing analysis of the Woodward.

Andiamo a Firenze Tops Champagne

The $500,000 Champagne Stakes features an even betting field and Andiamo a Firenze is the top pick.

He’s a son of Speightstown, who won on debut at Belmont before running third in the Sanford Stakes at Saratoga. However, he was back to his winning best in the Funny Cide last start.

“He’s doing well, everything’s good with him,” Owner Ron Lombardi said. “It would be amazing to win it obviously after having had Firenze Fire. It’s going to be a difficult race, I’m sure. It’s always a tough race no matter what. But he’s doing great and we’re real excited for the opportunity.”

Aqueduct betting odds should have Andiamo a Firenze well-backed to win and beat the field of six.

Also well-backed is Top Recruit, who also owns two wins from three starts. The 2-year-old colt won last time out at Ellis Park when beating Curly Jack and Roman Giant, so the form should hold up nicely.

He’s bred to handle longer distances and the rise to seven furlongs worked a treat. If there’s a chance of a slight upset, Top Recruit should be at the top of the list.

Verifying makes his second start in the Champagne Stakes, which isn’t an easy assignment. However, trainer BrAqueduct Cox is confident with his charge.

“He’s doing really good,” Cox said. “We’ve been happy with the way he’s trained since the maiden win. He’s been stabled at Churchill and will ship up tonight. We’re excited about the opportunity.”