Whirlaway Stakes Racing Roundup

Rescind The Trade heads a field of seven 3-year-old thoroughbreds today as the 2-1 morning line favorite of the $100,000 Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct.

Undefeated in two starts, Rescind The Trade steps up into stakes competition for the first time and comes into the Whirlaway with a narrow victory last December over Pants On Fire in an optional claiming race at Aqueduct. Pants On Fire went on to compete in stakes races with a third-place finish in the Count Fleet Stakes and a second-place finish in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) at the Fair Grounds.

In his last race, Rescind The Trade earned 102 Brisnet Speed Figure which is the highest of all the horses entered in the race. A sharp work out January 30 over the Aqueduct surface and Rescind The Trade appears to be ready to run another good race.

J J’s Lucky Train is the 5-2 morning line second-choice and appears to be competitive in the Whirlaway.

In his last race, The Count Fleet Stakes, J J’s Lucky Train was carried three-wide on the first turn but recovered and took the lead at the top of the stretch and grudgingly relinquished the lead in the final strides to Monzon who won by one length.

In five starts, J J’s Lucky Train has only been off to board once and that was last September in the Sapling Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park. Not counting his off the board finish, J J’s Lucky Train has three first-place finishes and one second-place in lifetime starts.

The Brisnet figures for his last three races have been in the high 90’s and with his front running style, J J’s Lucky Train will be tough to beat.

A long shot I like is Preachintothedevil (4-1) who comes into the race with a third-place finish in the Damon Runyon Stakes and a first-place in the Champagneforashley Stakes. His speed figures have improved with each race and I like that Junior Alvarado has been his only jockey.

The only bad race Preachintothedevil has run was in the Damon Runyon when he was carried four-wide on the far turn and finished in third place.

A bullet work out on January 11 and Preachintothedevil may be ready to run another good race.