No Easy Pick at Aqueduct

Most horses in today’s $100,000 Aqueduct Handicap know their way around the track’s inner dirt course, used during the winter months. Voodoo, Mr. Determined, Snake Mountain, Ground Storm and My Man Ryan, five of the seven in the Grade III at 1 1/16 miles, have combined to win 11 of 16 on the surface.

Snake Mountain and Voodoo, trained by James Jerkens, will be coupled in the wagering and the entry is likely to be favored.

Ground Storm has won four of five on the inner track and is three for 22 everywhere else. He had lost six in a row at Aqueduct, Pimlico, Belmont Park and Saratoga before ending the drought with a two-length victory in an allowance race on Dec. 18.

At Laurel In Maryland, Xtra Heat figures to end her two-race losing streak in the $60,000 What A Summer at six furlongs.

Rick Wilson has the mount on Xtra Heat, who has won six of seven at Laurel.

Race of the day: The fifth at Santa Anita is a mile on the turf that attracted 11 California-breds. Pick three and pick six players will be spreading in a race where Decimate, who broke his maiden on Nov. 27 at Hollywood Park, is favored.

Who’s hot: Francisco Duran. The apprentice, although he isn’t close to Russell Baze in the Golden Gate Fields jockey standings, is clear of everybody else and is winning at a 17% clip.

Who’s not: Manoel Cruz. The jockey had one winner from his first 50 mounts in 2003.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Mega Gift in the first, using Studio Time and Retired Habit in the second and Looks Lika Fish, Astronomer and Juniper Kris in the third.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/51. Money: Previous day/meet total: $20.20/$293.20. Total money bet: $306.