Analyzing Aqueduct’s $19,875 Pick 6 carryover

The final day of February brings a $19,875 carryover in the $1 Pick 6 at Aqueduct.

Aqueduct: Race 5: $19,875 Pick 6 carryover (2:43 p.m. ET)

Since the month is wrapping up on a Saturday, the Aqueduct card is a good one with four stakes on the agenda. Two of them—Race 8, the $150,000 Stymie S., and Race 10, the $300,000 Gotham (G3)—are part of the Pick 6.

Here’s how we see the Stymie and Gotham unfolding:

Race 8: Stymie S.

Only six horses have entered the Stymie, which takes place over a one-turn mile. Two horses loom as formidable favorites: #2 Full Screen (8-5) and #3 Phileas Fogg (9-5).

Full Screen hasn’t missed the trifecta in seven starts at Aqueduct and enters off back-to-back blowout wins over this track. On Nov. 20, he trounced a 1 1/8-mile $100,000 allowance optional claimer by six lengths. On Dec. 27, he smashed the 1 1/8-mile Queens County S. by five lengths. Those wins yielded sharp Brisnet Speed ratings of 98 and 100.

It’s worth noting, however, that Full Screen is 0-for-9 racing one mile on dirt. That’s where Phileas Fogg offers appeal. His 6-3-2-0 record at Aqueduct includes a decisive win in a one-mile $80,000 allowance optional claimer in September 2024, in which he finished 5 1/2 lengths ahead of Full Screen.

Phileas Fogg spent much of 2025 competing with aplomb at the graded stakes level, even winning the 1 1/4-mile Suburban (G2). Dropping down in class for the Stymie makes him a dangerous win threat.

We recommend using both Full Screen and Phileas Fogg in the Pick 6.

Race 10: Gotham (G3)

In the Gotham, a one-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier, we recommend singling #6 Iron Honor (6-5).

Iron Honor impressed when debuting in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Aqueduct. He tracked the pace before taking command to triumph by 1 1/2 lengths over a pair of next-out winners. In the process, he earned a flashy 99 Brisnet Speed rating that ranks as the highest number belonging to any horse entered in the Gotham.

RELATED: Tipsheet: 2026 Gotham Stakes

Stretching out over one mile should only help Iron Honor, since his pedigree is geared strongly toward success in route races. Throw in the fact trainer Chad Brown wins at a 31% rate with horses running long for the first time, and Iron Honor is a compelling choice.

Good luck!