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​Sunday’s Cross Country Pick 5 features action from Aqueduct, Oaklawn Park

by Ryan Martin

The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) will host a Cross Country Pick 5 on Sunday afternoon, featuring action from Aqueduct Racetrack and Oaklawn Park.

The Cross Country Pick 5 requires bettors to pick the winner of five select races from tracks across the country. The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is available on ADW platforms and at simulcast facilities across the country with each week featuring a mandatory payout of the net pool. The Cross Country Pick 5, boasting a low 15 percent takeout, offers sequences with races from Aqueduct Racetrack and partner tracks across the country.

The sequence kicks off in Race 7 [4:38 p.m. Eastern] at Aqueduct – a six-furlong state-bred allowance optional claimer– where Clear Stars Stable and Mitre Box Stable’s Unique Unions will make his debut for trainer David Duggan. Bred by Larry F. Botting, the 4-year-old Union Jackson gelding was twice stakes-placed for the recently retired Rick Schosberg, finishing second in the NYSSS Times Square here last April and third in the NYSSS Great White Way in December 2021. Other formidable contenders include last out winners Thrill of It for trainer John Terranova and Foolish Ghost, who makes his first start off the claim for trainer Oscar Barrera, III.

The action shifts south to Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas for the second leg where Tom Van Berg will saddle Amy Patruno’s Silvia in a 5 1/2-furlong allowance optional claimer for older fillies and mares [Race 7, 4:54 p.m.]. The Ontario-bred Exaggerator mare seeks her fifth career win, entering off a runner-up effort going the same distance to dual stakes-placed Hypersport. Glynn Puryear, Jr. and Cheryl Stimson’s Hartley will try to recapture her winning form from her 2023 debut for trainer Lynn Chleborad. The 4-year-old Cairo Prince grey was stakes-placed twice last year when third in the Goldfinch and second in the Panthers – both at Prairie Meadows.

The middle leg will see the Linda Rice-trained Sheriff Bianco wheel back off one week’s rest in the $100,000 Affirmed Success at Aqueduct [Race 8, 5:10 p.m.]. The 5-year-old Speightster gelding, bred by SF Bloodstock, enters the six-furlong test for New York-breds from an off-the-turf open company allowance win. Trainer Ray Handal will saddle Merrylegs Farm’s homebred Listentoyourheart, who ran a field-best 100 Beyer Speed Figure in a last-out seven-furlong state-bred allowance event on April 7 at the Big A. Trainer, breeder and co-owner Michelle Nevin’s seasoned veteran My Boy Tate will vie for a seventh stakes victory.

Joey Keith Davis and JD Thoroughbreds’ All West will attempt to keep his consistent form afloat in the penultimate leg – a nine-furlong allowance optional claimer at Oaklawn Park [Race 8, 5:26 p.m.]. The 7-year-old Flashback gelding finished in the money in his last seven starts. Three Chimneys Farm and Harrell Ventures’ Ten Gauge is in pursuit of his first victory since a November maiden coup at Churchill Downs. The Gun Runner colt, trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, has finished either third or fourth in his seven starts since breaking his maiden.

Closing out the sequence is Race 9 [5:42 p.m.] from Aqueduct – a seven-furlong starter allowance that features last-out winners Inspeightoftrainer and Always Charming. While the Linda Rice-conditioned Inspeightoftrainer cuts back from a one-turn mile, the Bob Klesaris-trained Always Charming will see added ground from his 6 1/2-length win going six furlongs on April 1 at the Big A. 

Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick 5 sequence will be available for download at https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/cross-country-wagers.

America's Day at the Races will present live coverage and analysis of the Aqueduct spring meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the best way to bet every race of the Aqueduct Racetrack spring meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

Cross Country Pick 5 – Sunday, April 30:

Leg A: Aqueduct Racetrack – Race 7, optional claiming (4:38 p.m. Eastern)

Leg B: Oaklawn Park – Race 7, optional claiming (4:54 p.m.)

Leg C: Aqueduct Racetrack – Race 8, $100K Affirmed Success (5:10 p.m.)

Leg D: Oaklawn Park – Race 8, optional claiming (5:26 p.m.)

Leg E: Aqueduct Racetrack – Race 9, starter allowance (5:42 p.m.)