The $500,000, Grade 2 Cigar Mile Handicap Introduced by Twinspires.com scheduled for Saturday at Aqueduct gives one remaining alternative for completed filth mile horses to compete in a marquee race earlier than the calendar turns to 2025. Held round one flip, the Cigar Mile has been an vital race within the filth mile division since its inaugural working in 1988 when Forty Niner received what was then referred to as the NYRA Mile Handicap. Subsequent winners of observe embrace Rubiano (1991), Cigar (1994, for whom the race was renamed), Congaree (2002, 2003), Tonalist (2015), Most Safety (2019), and Thoughts Management (2022).
This yr’s renewal drew a high quality 11-horse discipline that features 4 Grade/Group 1 winners, and will probably be televised dwell on the “America’s Day on the Races” broadcast on FS2. Put up time is about for 3:35 p.m. ET.
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Learn on for details about the Cigar Mile contenders plus some handicapping insights:
1. Guide’em Danno
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Coach: Derek Ryan
Proprietor: Atlantic Six Racing
Profession file: 10 begins – 6 wins – 3 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $1,018,125
Earnings per begin: $101,813
High Equibase Pace Determine: 108
Pedigree: Bucchero – Adorabella, by Ghostzapper
Age: 3
Coloration: Darkish bay or brown
Working type: Stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating details: This New Jersey-bred gelding has had a wonderful 3-year-old season, successful three of his six begins and ending second twice and third as soon as. He can cap it off with a victory within the Cigar Mile and shapes up as a number one contender within the race underneath five-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Ortiz was aboard Guide’em Danno for his Grade 1 win earlier this yr within the seven-furlong Woody Stephens Stakes Introduced by Mohegan Solar at Saratoga and likewise his near-miss seconds in each the Saudi Derby, held at one mile again in March, and his lead-in race to the Cigar Mile, the seven-furlong Perryville Stakes at Keeneland in October. Ortiz ought to have his mount positioned effectively breaking from the within submit, sitting a few lengths behind velocity horses Nelson Avenue, Mullikin, and Pipeline. There are a couple of different Cigar Mile starters which have the identical stalking working type as Guide’em Danno, however they aren’t as completed. With a clear journey, he needs to be in rivalry in the course of the stretch run.
Wager on Guide’em Danno within the Cigar Mile.
2. Nelson Avenue
Jockey: Dylan Davis
Coach: Wayne Potts
Proprietor: Images End
Profession file: 14 begins – 5 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $251,405
Earnings per begin: $17,958
High Equibase Pace Determine: 109
Pedigree: Into Mischief – By way of Strata, by Avenue Cry
Age:5
Coloration: Bay
Working type: Pacesetter/press the tempo
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Nelson Avenue initiatives to be certainly one of three or 4 Cigar Mile contenders vying to set the early tempo, as he’s run fairly effectively in his prior three begins utilizing his early velocity. The gelding might be dealing with the hardest discipline by far in his profession Saturday and attempting to win the race on the entrance finish seems to be his greatest technique. Three begins again, he sat off the early tempo in a seven-furlong claiming race held on a muddy monitor at Saratoga and took over to win by 1 ¼ lengths. He then adopted that up with a powerful gate-to-wire victory by the identical margin in a one-turn mile allowance-optional claiming race Sept. 15 in the course of the Belmont on the Huge A meet held at Aqueduct. Then in his stakes debut, Nelson Avenue tried to do the identical factor within the Grade 3 Forty Niner Stakes Oct. 26 on the similar monitor and distance, and whereas he yielded to Coastal Mission by a size, general it was a robust runner-up effort. Primarily based on his present kind and front-running type, Nelson Avenue is worthy of consideration for exactas and trifectas in opposition to a stacked Cigar Mile discipline, and he’ll have to run the race of his profession to hit the board. Jockey Dylan Davis, having fun with a breakout season within the irons, has been aboard this gelding within the three races mentioned above and retains the mount Saturday.
Wager on Nelson Avenue within the Cigar Mile.
3. Repo Rocks
Jockey: Ruben Silvera
Coach: Jamie Ness
Proprietor: Double B Racing Stables
Profession file: 43 begins – 10 wins – 9 seconds – 7 thirds
Profession earnings: $978,406
Earnings per begin: $22,745
High Equibase Pace Determine: 117
Pedigree: Tapiture – Hawaiian Love, by Not For Love
Age: 6
Coloration: Darkish bay or brown
Working type: Stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Veteran Repo Rocks leads the Cigar Mile discipline by a large margin in profession begins with 43. The gelding has taken a step again in success throughout his 6-year-old season with just one win in seven begins versus going 4-for-6 in 2023, highlighted by an 8 ½-length win within the Aqueduct’s Toboggan Stakes held at seven furlongs. Nonetheless, his kind has ticked upward over the previous 4 months. In the course of the Colonial Downs meet, Repo Rocks completed second after which first in allowance-optional claiming sprints, and he adopted that by working second by a half-length within the Parx Filth Mile Stakes after which fourth within the one-mile Forty Niner Stakes at Aqueduct. Cigar Mile foe Coastal Mission received each of these stakes races and is certainly one of a number of contenders in Saturday’s race who’ve superior profession résumés and up to date velocity figures in contrast with Repo Rocks. This midpack stalker needs to be up in opposition to it within the Cigar Mile as a lot of the projected front-runners are sooner than he’s and a number of other closers have a stronger ending kick.
Wager on Repo Rocks within the Cigar Mile.
4. Vinsanity
Jockey: Francisco Martinez
Coach: Antonio Arriaga
Proprietor: Subsequent Degree Stables
Profession file: 20 begins – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 2 thirds
Profession earnings: $74,718
Earnings per begin: $3,736
High Equibase Pace Determine: 94
Pedigree: Tapiture – Name to Motion, by Majestic Warrior
Age: 3
Coloration: Bay
Working type: Stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating details: This gelding will make his graded stakes debut in a really powerful task and initiatives to be the longest shot within the discipline come submit time. He’s solely received twice in 20 profession begins, the second victory occurring two races again when he took a one-turn-mile claiming occasion at Belmont on the Huge A by a size. Vinsanity adopted that up by ending final of 9 in a seven-furlong starter allowance race Nov. 9 at Aqueduct, regressing from his career-best 94 Equibase Pace Determine to a 64. Even when he can cycle again to the mid-90s stage, Vinsanity figures to be overmatched in opposition to this completed discipline.
Wager on Vinsanity within the Cigar Mile.
5. Mullikin
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Coach: Rodolphe Brisset
House owners: Siena Farm and WinStar Farm
Profession file: 10 begins – 5 wins – 3 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $853,612
Earnings per begin: $85,361
High Equibase Pace Determine: 110
Pedigree: Violence – Tulira’s Star, by Congrats
Age: 4
Coloration: Darkish bay or brown
Working type: Pacesetter/press the tempo
Notable achievements and fascinating details: This speedy Violence colt has had a breakthrough marketing campaign at age 4, successful his first 4 begins of 2024, together with the John A. Nerud Stakes and Forego Stakes, earlier than struggling his first lack of the yr when third as the three.20-1 favourite within the Cygames Breeders’ Cup Dash Nov. 2 at Del Mar. Mullikin had hassle settling into stride in the course of the early phases of that six-furlong race and ran a number of lengths off of the early tempo, a departure from the forwardly positioned working type utilized in all 4 of his prior wins this season. He nonetheless rallied to complete third and may be anticipated to revert again to setting or urgent the tempo Saturday within the Cigar Mile underneath Flavien Prat, who was aboard for open-length wins within the Nerud and Forego. Mullikin has not raced past seven furlongs however received the Nerud at that distance on this monitor again in June, defeating Cigar Mile foe Coastal Mission. He’s a number one win candidate and will get the bounce on his important opponents on the high of the stretch if the early tempo is modest.
Wager on Mullikin within the Cigar Mile.
6. Legislation Professor
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche
Coach: Rob Atras
Proprietor: John Holleman
Profession file: 24 begins – 9 wins – 2 seconds – 3 thirds
Profession earnings: $1,070,296
Earnings per begin: $44,596
High Equibase Pace Determine: 118
Pedigree: Structure – Haunted Heroine, by Ghostzapper
Age: 6
Coloration: Darkish bay or brown
Working type: Press the tempo/stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating details: After competing solely in stakes races throughout 2022 and 2023, Legislation Professor solely appeared as soon as at that stage in his first 4 begins of 2024, ending final of seven and defeated by 21 ¼ lengths within the Lake Ouachita Stakes at Oaklawn Park again in early Might. His different three begins of the season have all been victories, nonetheless, as he received back-to-back allowance-optional claiming races throughout Aqueduct’s winter meet after which, in his first begin because the Lake Ouachita, took a 1 1/8-mile allowance-optional claimer Oct. 25 on this monitor in the course of the Belmont on the Huge A meet. The gelding has largely flown underneath the radar throughout his profession but nonetheless has earned greater than $1 million, and he’s confirmed his mettle in opposition to top-caliber horses occasionally, together with posting a runner-up end to Life Is Good within the Woodward Stakes again in 2022 and a third-place lead to final yr’s Woodward behind Zandon. Legislation Professor is 5-for-7 at Aqueduct and 4-for-8 at this distance, and 2020 Cigar Mile-winning rider Kendrick Carmouche, who’s been aboard for 2 of his wins in 2024 together with his October comeback, retains the mount. A dwell longshot.
Wager on Legislation Professor within the Cigar Mile.
7. Locked
Jockey: John Velazquez
Coach: Todd Pletcher
House owners: Eclipse Thoroughbred Companions and Walmac Farm
Profession file: 5 begins – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 2 thirds
Profession earnings: $660,650
Earnings per begin: $132,130
High Equibase Pace Determine: 109
Pedigree: Gun Runner – Luna Rosa, by Malibu Moon
Age: 3
Coloration: Chestnut
Working type: Stalker/nearer
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Locked is the wild-card contender within the Cigar Mile – he’s mild on expertise having made just one begin this yr however displayed sufficient expertise as a juvenile in 2023 to make him the post-time favourite within the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Introduced by TAA. The Gun Runner colt completed third within the BC Juvenile, which was preceded by a Grade 1 stakes victory within the 1 1/16-mile Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity. He then went on the shelf for somewhat greater than 11 months as a consequence of a knee damage. Locked’s return was spectacular, as he overmatched 5 opponents in a seven-furlong allowance-optional claiming race on Oct. 19 throughout Aqueduct’s Belmont on the Huge A meet. He received by 7 ½ lengths with Corridor of Fame jockey John Velazquez using for the primary time, and Velazquez stays aboard for the Cigar Mile. Locked is eligible to run even higher in his second begin after the layoff, and if he does so he’ll have a giant probability to win in opposition to a tricky discipline. Coach Todd Pletcher has received the Cigar Mile a file six instances, most just lately in back-to-back years with Americanrevolution (2021) and Thoughts Management (2022). John Velazquez was aboard Thoughts Management for Pletcher, and Velazquez additionally received final yr’s Cigar Mile aboard Hoist the Gold to spice up his profession complete victories on this race to 4.
Wager on Locked within the Cigar Mile.
8. Pipeline
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Coach: Cherie DeVaux
Proprietor: John Gunther
Profession file: 19 begins – 4 wins – 2 seconds – 2 thirds
Profession earnings: $503,913
Earnings per begin: $26,522
High Equibase Pace Determine: 105
Pedigree: Speightstown – Vivo Per Lei, by Empire Maker
Age: 6
Coloration: Bay
Working type: Pacesetter/press the tempo
Notable achievements and fascinating details: This veteran accomplished certainly one of his greatest races from 19 profession begins in his prep for the Cigar Mile, taking a 1 1/16-mile allowance-optional claiming race in gate-to-wire trend Sept. 19 at Churchill Downs. Pipeline additionally received on the similar distance again in April in a Keeneland allowance, however in his different three begins this yr he’s not been in a position to carry his velocity to victory, tiring in a Gulfstream Park allowance to begin the yr again in January and likewise fading in two stakes races throughout spring and summer season. Again in 2022, Pipeline confirmed sufficient means to hit the board in a few graded stakes, however since then he hasn’t been a lot of a menace in opposition to the extent of competitors he’ll face Saturday. Search for jockey Junior Alvarado, who received the Cigar Mile in 2013 on Flat Out, to ship Pipeline instantly in a bid to regulate the early tempo. Doing so will give him the perfect probability to win, however the odds are lengthy for that to occur.
Wager on Pipeline within the Cigar Mile.
9. Senor Buscador
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Coach: Todd Fincher
Proprietor: Joe Peacock Jr.
Profession file: 22 begins – 7 wins – 2 seconds – 3 thirds
Profession earnings: $12,941,427
Earnings per begin: $588,247
High Equibase Pace Determine: 113
Pedigree: Mineshaft – Rose’s Desert, by Desert God
Age: 6
Coloration: Bay
Working type: Nearer
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Fan favourite Senor Buscador is winding down his racing profession, together with his connections declaring that plans are to race him twice extra – as soon as within the Cigar Mile, after which lastly within the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes Introduced by Baccarat in January. ‘Senor’ completed second in final yr’s Cigar Mile after which second by a neck within the 2024 Pegasus, which preceded his profession peak in late winter when he received the Saudi Cup and pocketed a cool $10 million from a $20 million purse after which completed second to Laurel River within the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline, good for one more $1.2 million paycheck. Senor Buscador took a break after the Dubai World Cup earlier than returning within the seven-furlong Pat O’Brien Stakes in late August at Del Mar, the place he completed fourth, and since then he’s checked in a distant fifth in each the California Crown Stakes Introduced by SirDavis American Whisky and the Longines Breeders’ Cup Basic. Each of these races have been two-turn routes, and shortening again to a one-turn mile might assist Senor Buscador’s probabilities within the Cigar Mile if he will get a swift tempo to shut into. He’s a must-use horse for exacta and trifecta tickets however will want the whole lot to arrange completely for him as a way to win.
Wager on Senor Buscador within the Cigar Mile.
10. Coastal Mission
Jockey: Arnaldo Bocachica
Coach: Jeff Runco
Proprietor: Jeff Runco
Profession file: 25 begins – 14 wins – 5 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $1,091,653
Earnings per begin: $43,666
High Equibase Pace Determine: 118
Pedigree: Nice Notion – Sensible Crowd, by Crowd Pleaser
Age: 5
Coloration: Grey or roan
Working type: Stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Coastal Mission is really an under-the-radar racehorse by way of nationwide publicity. He’s earned almost $1.1 million via a busy 25-race profession that features 14 wins, 5 seconds, and one third and 6 stakes victories. In his eight begins since ending fifth within the 2023 Cigar Mile, he’s received thrice and completed second twice, a type of runner-up efforts coming behind Mullikin within the John A. Nerud Stakes again in July on this monitor. The gelding enters in good kind with back-to-back stakes wins going a mile within the Parx Filth Mile Stakes over Repo Rocks after which the Forty Niner Stakes over Nelson Avenue, the latter on this monitor as effectively. Jockey Arnaldo Bocachica (who’s been aboard Coastal Mission in 21 of his 22 begins) employed related stalk-and-pounce ways every time to prevail, and search for him to try an analogous journey Saturday. Coastal Mission’s latest velocity figures are a reduce under these of the perfect Cigar Mile contenders, however this gelding’s means too elegant and constant to go away out of unique tickets.
Wager on Coastal Mission within the Cigar Mile.
11. Put up Time
Jockey: Sheldon Russell
Coach: Brittany Russell
Proprietor: Hillwood Secure
Profession file: 14 begins – 9 wins – 3 seconds – 2 thirds
Profession earnings: $1,167,910
Earnings per begin: $83,422
High Equibase Pace Determine: 116
Pedigree: Frosted – Vielsalm, by Fairbanks
Age: 4
Coloration: Grey or roan
Working type: Nearer
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Put up Time enters the Cigar Mile off of a “what if?” efficiency within the Huge Ass Followers Breeders’ Cup Filth Mile Nov. 2 at Del Mar. He trailed early in that two-turn race, racing final of 13, and rallied swiftly via the stretch to complete 1 ½ lengths behind forwardly positioned winner Full Serrano, main after all to questions alongside the traces of “What if Put up Time wasn’t up to now again early within the race?” He’ll need to safe a very good place and journey within the Cigar Mile after leaving the far exterior submit with common rider Sheldon Russell within the irons, and if he can do this he needs to be primed to unleash a robust ending kick that may assist him attain the winner’s circle. Put up Time has but to complete out of the highest three via 14 begins, and he ran very effectively in two begins on Aqueduct’s important monitor again within the spring when successful the Carter Stakes Introduced by NYRA Bets at seven furlongs after which dropping the one-mile Westchester Stakes by three-quarters of a size. It nearly goes with out saying, then, that Put up Time is a must-use horse in unique bets, and he’s a respectable win candidate as effectively.
Wager on Put up Time within the Cigar Mile.
