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Saturday’s Cross Country Pick 5 to feature racing from Aqueduct, Oaklawn and Tampa Bay Downs

by Mary Eddy

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

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....

The sequence begins in Race 10 [4:51 p.m. Eastern] from Tampa Bay Downs, a starter handicap featuring an overflow field of 4-year-olds and up going 11 furlongs over the turf. Kristen Somerville’s El Pillo will stretch out and look to continue success at the starter handicap level after a last-out victory by a half-length going nine-furlongs on February 26 over the Tampa lawn. Isaias Dream has gone 2-for-3 since entering the barn of trainer Eduardo Azpurua, Jr., most recently dominating in a February 4 allowance at Tampa where he tracked in fourth before taking command at the top of the lane and powering home to a 5 1/2-length win.

The action moves north to Aqueduct for the second leg, featuring the $75,000 Stud Muffin [Race 8, 5:01 p.m.] for older horses going 11 furlongs over the main track as part of the New York Claiming Championship card. The field of 12 is led by eight-time winner Blewitt, who arrives off a one-length claiming victory on March 6 at the Big A. Blewitt will face the Gary Sciacca-trained Bar Fourteen to his outside, who romped to an eight-length win last time out for a $40,000 tag. Other foes include veteran nine-time winner Original Intent and stakes-placed Roman Empire.

The middle leg of the sequence features Race 7 from Oaklawn Park [5:04 p.m.], a nine-furlong starter allowance for 4-year-olds and upward. Trainer Karl Broberg will send out the improving Hunka Burning Love off a narrow victory in a $30,000 claimer at Oaklawn on March 6. The son of Into Mischief will face six rivals, including Fort Peck, who he beat by a nose after rallying from off the pace under returning rider David Cabrera in his last-out victory. Fort Peck will be making his first start for trainer Jason Barkley and owner Charles W. Jennings.

The action moves back to Ozone Park for the penultimate leg of the sequence in Race 10 [6:03 p.m.] from Aqueduct with a field of 14 in the $45,000 Dads Caps for older horses sprinting seven furlongs. Winning Drive will make his first start for trainer Rob Atras after being claimed by owner Robert Derr for $8,000 out of a one-length victory March 11 at the Big A. The Michael Miceli-trained No Salt has kept good company in his last two outings, earning a third against stakes winner Tiergan and a second to Water’s Edge, who won the Haynesfield at Aqueduct on Sunday.

The sequence concludes with stakes action from Oaklawn Park in Race 9 [6:10 p.m.], the Purple Martin for 3-year-old fillies sprinting six furlongs. A compact but competitive group of six sophomores is highlighted by Grade 2 Adirondack winner Wicked Halo. Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the daughter of Gun Runner’s only off-the-board finish from four starts came in her last outing at Oaklawn when she finished fourth to Happy Soul in the Dixie Belle on February 19. Familiar foes returning from the Dixie Belle are runner-up Verylittlecents for trainer Randy Morse and the third-place finisher Hypersport for trainer Ingrid Mason. Pretty Birdie, winner of the Grade 3 Schuylerville in July at Saratoga Race Course, will look to get back to winning ways for trainer Norm Casse.

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 horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

Cross Country Pick 5 – Saturday, March 26:

Leg A: Tampa – Race 10, starter handicap (4:51 p.m.)

Leg B: Aqueduct – Race 8, $75K Stud Muffin (5:01 p.m.)

Leg C: Oaklawn – Race 7, starter allowance (5:04 p.m.)

Leg D: Aqueduct – Race 10, $45K Dads Caps (6:03 p.m.)

Leg E: Oaklawn – Race 9, $125K Purple Martin (6:10 p.m.)