Final 2023 graded stakes on Saturday at Big A
By NY Hot List Staff | Friday, December 1, 2023
A long and exciting year of graded stakes racing in New York comes to an end on the first Saturday in December at Aqueduct. A total of four graded stakes with a combined value of $1.2 million will be featured on Saturday’s 10-race card. The richest and most important one will be saved for last as the card ends with the $500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap. A large and competitive field of 12 was entered for the one-turn test. Scheduled as the 10th race, the Cigar offers a solid wagering affair that should serve as a fitting way to bring down the curtain on graded stakes racing at NYRA during a highly eventful 2023 season.
The $500,000 Cigar Mile (G2) at Aqueduct, Saturday, Race 10, 4:12 pm EST.
(5) Dr Ardito is one of three Chad Brown runners in the Cigar Mile where a fast pace is expected. The 5-year-old New York-bred had a six-race winning streak early in his career when he won through both the state-bred and open company allowance conditions and a NY-bred stakes race. He has an outstanding record at a mile 8: 5-1-0 and may have had the best performance in his career in the Forty Niner (G2) at the Big A when he rallied late to get up for second. (3) Senor Buscador gets some class relief after running in Grade 1 races including the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He will also cut back to the one-mile which may be his best distance and will also benefit from the hot pace. (2) Everso Mischievous has won his last three starts for Brad Cox with the Forty Niner being the most recent. (10) Accretive is another of the Brown runners and has yet to break through in a graded stake but has hit the board three times.
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