>>Aqueduct | Race 8 | Friday December 4 | 3:50 EST | Go To The TimeformUS PPs

The horse to beat is probably Boss Man (#7), who comes off a solid fourth place finish against N1X allowance company going a mile and three-eighths. This horse has been successful going as short as a mile in the past, and he figures to appreciate the class relief that he’s going to get here.

While we’re certainly not against him, we want to take a shot with SNAKE OIL CHARLIE (#4).

This horse is back in the right kind of spot after trying tougher New York-bred N2X allowance runners last time. He got a terrible trip that day, as Chris DeCarlo was never able to get him into a good position and ended up going five-wide around the far turn before easing him to the wire. It’s as if he was saving him for another day once the trip didn’t work out.

Prior to that effort, he had worked out a great rail-skimming trip to just beat No Texting, who came back to win by open lengths last week. Snake Oil Charlie draws the same number two post position again this time, and the Pace Projector is predicting that he should be stalking the speedy Klesaris entry. His form does look a little spotty overall, but this improved son of Freud is good enough to win a race like this, and he’s going to be a big price.

THE PLAY 

WIN: SNAKE OIL CHARLIE (#4)

EXACTA: Key SNAKE OIL CHARLIE (#4) with Three for Me (#1) and Boss Man (#7)