Red Smith closes out 2022 NY graded turf stakes schedule

By NY Hot List Staff | November 24, 2022

Goodbye, turf racing. Hello, winter. The final weekend of turf racing in New York goes out on a lively note with Saturday’s Grade 2 Red Smith Stakes highlighting the final two days of action on the Big A’s two grass courses. The 1 3/8-mile test drew a large crowd of 12 with two main track only entrants pushing the overall total to 14. Like most turf races, the Red Smith has taken shape as a wide-open, competitive affair with no real standout that could spark some lively holiday prices on the toteboard.

Here’s the Hot List picks for the Red Smith.

The $300,000 Red Smith (G2), Aqueduct, Saturday, Race 9:

6) Mooney Love (A) moved to the Bill Mott barn from Italy and impressively won his only start in America in July in a Saratoga allowance. In Italy he was Group 2 placed last year. He has been in training in New York. (11) Dynadrive (B) won the Lure at Saratoga in his second start in the Tom Morley barn. In his last start at BAQ he was last and raced wide into a slow pace on a day when the inside was the place to be. (8) Temple raced in graded stakes in his last six starts with a recent second in the Sycamore (G3) at Keeneland for Mike Maker to go with a third in the United Nations (G1) at Monmouth Park. He won a Grade 2 at Gulfstream Park in March. (4) Astronaut switched to the barn of Tom Albertrani and he immediately responded with a third in the Turf Classic (G1) at BAQ behind War Like Goddess. He is a past Grade 2 winner in California.

The rest of the NY Hot List picks and the Special Saturday Pick 3 are available free of charge at this website.