​Saturday Cross Country Pick 5 features stakes action from Aqueduct Racetrack, Tampa Bay Downs and Oaklawn Park

by Mary Eddy

Free Equibase PPs available 

The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) will host a Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday featuring stakes races 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 begins in Race 8 [3:48 p.m. Eastern] on the Tampa Bay Downs turf as an overflow field of older fillies and mares battle for the winner’s share of the $100,000 purse in the five-furlong Lightning City. The Brian Lynch-trained Mamba Wamba made her state-side debut a winning one on December 23, getting up in the final strides of the five-furlong optional claimer at Gulfstream Park to win by a half-length. Eight-time winner Beautiful Grace is looking for her first stakes win and hoping to build on a successful 2021 campaign that saw her win 5-of-11 starts with three other placings. 

The action moves to Aqueduct in the second leg, featuring the six-furlong Hollie Hughes [Race 8, 4:30 p.m.] for New York-bred older horses. The field of six is led by two-time race winner My Boy Tate, a son of Boys At Tosconova who boasts six career stakes wins and earnings of over $700,000. Trained, bred, and co-owned by Michelle Nevin with Little Red Feather Racing, My Boy Tate crossed the finish line first in the Say Florida Sandy for his 8-year-old debut but was disqualified for interference and placed fourth. The field includes stakes winner Jemography and 10-time winner Runningwscissors. 

The middle leg of the sequence will feature older males sprinting five furlongs in the listed Turf Dash [Race 10, 4:53 p.m.] at Tampa Bay Downs. Leading the charge is 7-year-old multiple graded stakes winner Diamond Oops, who makes his 2022 debut in his first start since finishing eighth in the Keeneland Turf Mile in October. Trained by Patrick Biancone, the son of Lookin At Lucky’s last win came in a handicap at Gulfstream in June. Laurel Dash winner Xy Speed will look to secure his second stakes win for trainer Gerald Bennett after a fifth in the Janus at Gulfstream last time out on December 31. 

The action switches to Oaklawn Park for the final two legs of the sequence, beginning in Race 8 [5:39 p.m.] as a field of older horses contest at nine furlongs for a $101,000 purse in an open optional claimer. The Brad Cox-trained Warrior’s Charge enters as the 9-5 morning line favorite after a 9 3/4-length romp last time out in an optional claimer on January 28, earning a 101 Beyer Speed Figure for his effort. Graded stakes placed Intrepid Heart breaks from the inside post in search of redemption after a narrow defeat to Grade 2-placed O Besos on January 2. 

The sequence concludes in Race 9 at Oaklawn [6:10 p.m.] with eight sophomore fillies sprinting six furlongs in the $150,000 Dixie Belle. Happy Soul, away from the races since a dominant 11 1/2-length triumph in the Astoria on June 3 at Belmont Park, returns for trainer Wesley Ward as the 9-5 morning-line favorite. A daughter of Runhappy, Happy Soul boasts a 2-for-3 lifetime record and will again be piloted by Hall of Famer John Velazquez. Grade 2 Adirondack-winner Wicked Halo will challenge from post 3 in her first start since her winning graded stakes debut in August. Other contenders include Grade 3 Schuylerville winner Pretty Birdie for trainer Norm Casse and recent maiden winner Icy Stare Down for trainer Brad Cox. 

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, February 19:

Leg A: Tampa - Race 8, $100K Lightning City (3:48 p.m.)

Leg B: Aqueduct - Race 8, $100K Hollie Hughes (4:30 p.m.)

Leg C: Tampa - Race 10, $100K Turf Dash (4:53 p.m.)

Leg D: Oaklawn - Race 8, AOC (5:39 p.m.)

Leg E: Oaklawn - Race 9, $150K Dixie Belle (6:10 p.m.)