Superfecta keys: Play these at Aqueduct, Oaklawn, Gulfstream

The Saturday races meet the criteria for using the superfecta-key betting strategy.

There is a one-mile allowance race on the dirt for 4-year-olds and up. There are 11 entrants, 10 at Aqueduct and one at Penn National. Bill Mott sends out one of the more lightly raced runners in the field in 4,year old No. 11 Watasha. No 2 Complete Agenda has six in-the-money finishes in 12 lifetime tries and is two of three at the distance. The John Terranova runner No 8 Three Jokers looks every bit of a classic superfecta value runner. Mike Maker sends No 5 Patient Capital, a 4 year old who sports a solid five of eight lifetime in money record.

The Fifth Season Stakes is a one mile dirt race for 4-year-olds and up. Soy Tapatio, trained by Robertino Diodoro, has reeled off three wins, a second and fourth since being a part of the Diozo barn. No. 9 King Fury makes his first start at the dirt distance. Runnin’ Ray has a 15 of 22 in-the-money record overall and is five of six at this distance with two wins. Rated R Superstar is the defending champion in this race. Ken McPeek saddles No 9.

There is a maiden race on dirt for 3-year-olds. The field has a limited number of starts and some of the runners are newly turned 3. Some of them are stretching out for the first time. No. 10 Escapologist is trained by McPeek and is your key runner. Rocket and Roll is the betting favorite. Pappy Wolfe has the most runs in the field with four. The play is 10-cent superfecta key using 10 with 2, 3, 4 and 6. Total wager is $9.60.

Sunshine Filly and Mare Turf Stakes is a one mile grass race for state-bred fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up. Todd Pletcher trained No. 2 Avow is trying turf for the first time. No 1 Sonar has one sixth-place finish in her only try on turf. Mona Stella has shown strong tactical pace pressing speed on the turf and has finished in the money in all four of her Gulfstream turf races. Sugar Fix has eight wins in 15 tries at the distance and is difficult to exclude as the probable low-odds favorite.

A 10 cent superfecta key is a leveraged wager. It's a bet on a runner you believe will land in any one of the top four positions. The table below summarizes the reduction in outlays for superintecta wagers when you key one runner essentially boxing it with four to seven other runners.

The superfecta key strategy requires you to ensure that your keyed horse finishes in one of the top four positions. To maximize return, I am looking for three conditions to create potential for a high payoff.

The conditions are:Betting interests of at least nine entries but not more than 12, the ability to confidently key a horse that is not an odds-on or a heavily bet favorite, and field with runners ignored in the pool.