Pick 3 of the Week: Aqueduct Sunday

Two of the trio of graded stakes tilts on the Sunday card at Aqueduct will bookend my Pick 3 of the Week.

Aqueduct: Race 7: Pick 3 Wager

• $1 Pick 3: 5,6 with 1,2,3,5 with 1,4,8 ($24)

Race 7 – Red Smith S. (G2)

A talented cast of six will run 1 3/8 miles over the Aqueduct grass in the first leg of the play. Trainer Shug McGaughey has two of the field's major players, with multiple stakes star #5 Cugino (5-2) and millionaire #6 Limited Liability (3-1), and both will make the ticket. The former has won three of his last four races in advance of Sunday, and he dons a 3-2-1-0 mark on the course in his lifetime. 

Limited Liability is winless from four tries in 2025, but he has gone quite close in a pair of graded races this campaign and rates a big chance with his top effort with Joel Rosario in the controls. 

Race 8 – Optional Claiming

Nine are entered for the grass in the six-furlong turf dash. The competitive heat has a few runners with some back class, and I will include four to advance through to the closing segment of the play. The 2024 Poker S. (G3) victor #1 Ice Chocolat (5-1) has improved his Brisnet Speed rating with each try this season and could be the one with the measure of class relief. 

2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) runner-up #2 Big Invasion (6-1), multiple stakes winner #3 Nothing Better (9-2), and stakes veteran #5 Step Forward (7-2), who will make his first run off the claim for Mike Maker, will also be on my ticket.  

Race 9 – Bold Ruler S. (G3)

A total of eight dashers will run six panels on the main oval in the competitive final piece of the play. #1 Buccherino (3-1) has won half of his 16 career races to date and is well drawn on the rail in this one. The Parx-loving colt is also more than capable at different venues and finished third in the Gold Fever S. on this strip last season. He shows two bullet drills leading up to the dash, with Jose Lezcano in the controls. 

Stakes hero #4 Subrogate (5-1) has thrived since focusing solely on one-turn contests for Jorge Duarte, and the son of Arrogate could peak while making his third run of 2025. #8 Damon’s Mound (9-2) is swift from the gate and could endure an ideal voyage from the outside post beneath Junior Alvarado. The Bill Mott pupil could shine while making his local debut.