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Saturday’s Cross Country Pick 5 features Aqueduct Racetrack, Oaklawn Park, and Tampa Bay Downs

by Mary Eddy

The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) will host a Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday featuring racing from Aqueduct Racetrack, Tampa Bay Downs and Oaklawn Park.

Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick 5 sequence are now available for download at https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/cross-country-wagers.

Saturday’s sequence kicks off in Race 8 [3:47 p.m. Eastern] from Tampa Bay Downs as maidens 4-years-old and up travel a two-turn mile over the turf. The field of 10, plus one also eligible, is highlighted by the first-time starter Supply Chain, trained by four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown for owner Klaravich Stables.

A 4-year-old son of Speightster, Supply Chain has made steady progress towards his debut at Palm Meadows Training Center, most recently breezing four furlongs in 49.50 seconds on February 26. Highgate Road is also making his career debut for trainer Catherine Day Phillips after drilling a half-mile over the Payson Park turf in 48.40 on February 26.

The action moves to Hot Springs, Arkansas for the second leg of the sequence in Race 6 [4:33 p.m.] at Oaklawn Park, the six-furlong Downthedustyroad Breeders’ for Arkansas-bred fillies and mares 3-year-old and up.

The Randy Morse-trained Connie K enters on a two-race win streak, most recently romping to a 7 3/4-length optional claiming victory at Oaklawn on January 8 over a wet fast track. The 4-year-old Ordained filly Richness will also look to extend her win streak to three-in-a-row after taking an allowance optional claiming race on January 30. Hillary G, an Even the Score filly, earned a stakes win last year for trainer Thomas Vance when she won Oaklawn’s Rainbow Miss in April by 2 3/4-lengths with returning rival Kaboom Baby finishing third.

The sequence heads north to Aqueduct Racetrack for the middle and penultimate legs, featuring a pair of prep races for the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby with the $250,000 Busher Invitational in Race 9 [4:57 p.m.] and the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham in Race 10 [5:27]. Each race awards 50-20-10-5 points towards their respective qualifying race to the top-four finishers.

The Busher will see six sophomore fillies battle for a spot on the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard as they travel a one-turn mile over Aqueduct’s main track. NY Final Furlong Racing Stable and Parkland Thoroughbreds’ Venti Valentine and JW Singer’s Magic Circle will face off again after finishing second and third, respectively, in the Grade 2 Demoiselle on December 4 at the Big A behind next-out Suncoast winner Nest. The two graded stakes-placed fillies will face steep opposition from stakes winners Shotgun Hottie and Sterling Silver, who both exit stakes wins at sprint distances at the Big A in their last outings.

The Grade 3 Gotham features the return of Grade 3 Nashua winner Rockefeller for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert in his first start since a second to stablemate Newgrange in the Grade 3 Sham at Santa Anita on New Year’s Day.

The son of Medaglia d’Oro will be facing a pair of formidable foes conditioned by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher. Golden Code, a runaway winner of a state-bred maiden special weight last time out on February 5, and the undefeated Dean’s List will give Pletcher two chances to win his third Gotham. The field of 10 also includes Jimmy Winkfield winner Morello and stakes-placed Life Is Great and Bold Journey.

The sequence concludes at Oaklawn in Race 9 [6:10 p.m.], the Nodouble Breeders’ for Arkansas-bred colts and geldings 3-years-old and up. The John Ortiz-trained Gar Hole boasts a 3-for-4 career record, looking to secure his fourth win in a row for owner and breeder Shortleaf Stable. Carson McCord’s K J’s Nobility will seek his second win in the Nodouble Breeders’ while 5-year-old Tempt Fate will look to defend his Nodouble Breeders’ title for trainer Carl Deville after winning two stakes at Oaklawn last year.

The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is also available on ADW platforms and at simulcast facilities across the country. Every week will feature a mandatory payout of the net pool. The Cross Country Pick 5, which features a low 15 percent takeout, will continue each Saturday throughout the year.

America’s Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the winter meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

Cross Country Pick 5 – Saturday, March 5:

Leg A: Tampa - Race 8, maiden special weight (3:47 p.m.)

Leg B: Oaklawn - Race 6, $150K Downthedustyroad Breeders’ (4:33 p.m.)

Leg C: Aqueduct - Race 9, $250K Busher Invitational (4:57 p.m.)

Leg D: Aqueduct - Race 10, Grade 3 Gotham (5:27 p.m.)

Leg E: Oaklawn - Race 9, $150K Nodouble Breeders’ (6:10 p.m.)