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Thanksgiving Weekend at Aqueduct Includes Six Stakes Races

Rob Gregorka

Las Vegas, NV -- It is a great Thanksgiving weekend of racing action at Aqueduct with a total of six stakes races, beginning with the Fall Highweight Handicap on Thursday. Here is a look at that race on Thanksgiving Day and the other five stakes races this weekend at Aqueduct.

Thursday
Fall Highweight Handicap
This 6-furlong race figures to be very competitive with a field of 10 led by Todd Pletcher's Caixa Electronica, Driven by Success and Calibrachoa.

Aqueduct Thanksgiving weekend betting odds, rebates, live video, replays and results at OTB.

Friday
Go For Wand Handicap
A total of nine horses are set for this Grade 2 race on Friday. The favorite in the betting will likely be Arena Elvira, who won the Grade 3 Turnback last time out. Also in the mix should be Lovely Lil and Risky Rachel.

Saturday
Cigar Mile
The favorite in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile should be To Honor and Serve, who finished 7th in the Breeders' Cup Classic. The horse has won both of his previous two starts at Aqueduct. Last year's winner in this race was Jersey Town and although he is entered in the race, he will not be the favorite as he is winless this year in his four starts. Also in contention for the win should be Haynesfield, who won the Empire Classic in his last start. Hall of Fame Trainer Bill Mott said that To Honor and Serve should be good to go even on short rest for Saturday's race. "We thought he was doing well enough to nominate and train up to the Cigar Mile," said Mott. "I know it's a bit of a squeeze to come back after a race like that, but he's feeling good. It's a Grade 1 and probably the last race of the season for him."

Gazelle
The Grade 1 Gazelle should be all about the unbeaten Awesome Feather. She has won all of her seven career starts including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies last year.

Demoiselle
This figures to be a wide-open race with the main contenders looking like Captivating Lass, Brown Eyed Nance and Bourbonstreet Girl. Captivating Lass could be the one to watch as she was very impressive in her maiden stakes win. She is the daughter of A.P. Indy and is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin. "She won her only start and has been training well. She's bred to go 1 1/8 miles." McLaughlin said.

Remsen
The top choices at offtrackbetting.com for the Remsen figure to be Our Entourage, El Padrino and Done Talking. Todd Pletcher trains both El Padrino who won his first race last month at Belmont and Our Entourage who won his first race at Saratoga.

Live Racing Schedule

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