Aqueduct: Best plays for the Demoiselle and Go for Wand

Although the Cigar Mile (G1) and the Remsen (G2) are the highlights of an action-packed Saturday card at Aqueduct, two other graded stakes warrant close attention.

The $150,000 Demoiselle (G2) and the $100,000 Go For Wand (G3) have drawn intriguing fields to the mix.

Let’s play both races on a $60 budget.

Race 6: Go For Wand H. (G3, 2:07 p.m. ET)

#1 Nonna Madeline (4-5) is an obvious favorite for trainer Todd Pletcher, who has gone 12-for-39 (31%) to start the Aqueduct meet.

A two-time stakes winner, Nonna Madeline ran a gallant race in the 1 1/8-mile Turnback the Alarm H. (G3) at Aqueduct last month, when she led into the stretch and weakened late to finish third.

The Go For Wand looks like an easier spot, though a couple up-and-comers could steal the show.

#2 Portal Creek (8-1) has won three of her four starts since she was transferred to the barn of trainer Juan Guerrero. She most recently won a 1-mile allowance event at Parx.

The stakes-placed #3 Sharp Starr (3-2) enters off a stunning, 15-length triumph against New York-breds in a 1-mile allowance at Aqueduct.

Nonna Madeline, Portal Creek, and Sharp Starr all boast similar Brisnet Speed ratings, and the rest of their rivals rank a cut below. With that in mind, let’s box those three in the exacta and trifecta.

$4 exacta box: 1,2,3 ($24)
$1 trifecta box: 1,2,3 ($6)
Total: $30

Race 9: Demoiselle (G2, 3:44 p.m. ET)

Although eight 2-year-old fillies have been entered in this 1 1/8-mile Road to the Kentucky Oaks prep, only one — #1 Malathaat (4-5) — is a stakes winner. She is also the fastest horse in terms of Brisnet Speed ratings and clearly the filly to beat.

Trained Pletcher, who has won the Demoiselle five times, Malathaat is undefeated in two starts. She won her debut at Belmont Park, then dominated the 1-mile Tempted S. at Aqueduct last month. The even-money favorite in the Tempted, Malathaat led all the way and powered clear in the homestretch to win by 7 3/4 lengths.

A stoutly bred daughter of Curlin, out of the Grade 1-winning A.P. Indy mare Dreaming of Julia, Malathaat is bred to thrive on the stretch out over 1 1/8 miles.

Let’s key her on top in the trifecta and emphasize #3 Millefeuille (7-2) underneath.

$5 trifecta: 1 with 3 with 2,4,5 ($15)
$5 trifecta: 1 with 2,4,5 with 3 ($15)
Total: $30

Good luck!