Only the most astute student of the Monster Move would have even dared to make even the smallest wager on Afleet Again in Aqueduct's featured Grade III Withers. Guilty as charged.
The most difficult part was to identify the last running line as a qualifier. Experience has taught me that if it looks like and quacks like a duck, then.... It didn't hurt that I was familiar with the training methods of Robert Reid (30% winners) and the able riding of jock Mariano.
Afleet was making its first start since the Grade 2 Gotham, where the colt chased of a 1:11.4 six furlong pace before stopping to a gallop. At leg three of the all important running line, the colt was 20 lengths behind the leader. Remarkably, he only lost four more lengths.
Today seemed like a go! Afleet romped by three at 24-1. With the odds-on off the board, show paid almost as much as the win price. Additionally, my selection won the last race for a huge $456 double price.
A duck is a duck.
