The stakes are high this Saturday at Aqueduct’s Notebook Stakes, where New York-bred 2-year-olds will compete for the $100,000 purse over six furlongs. Among the entrants, (1) Man in Finance and (5) Shoot It True are the key standouts in what promises to be a thrilling showdown.

(1) Man in Finance: The Favorite 🔥

Trainer Danny Gargan has big plans for Man in Finance, with eyes on December’s $500,000 Great White Way Stakes. However, the Notebook Stakes is a strategic step to keep the gelding sharp after his dominant 7 3/4-length debut win in September at Aqueduct.

• Performance Insights:

• In his debut, Man in Finance showed maturity by stalking the pace before accelerating to a decisive win, earning a 92 Equibase Speed Figure.

• His main challenge this time? Drawing the rail, which could lead to early traffic issues. Trainer Gargan plans a patient approach: “We’re going to break and try to sit third.”

• Biggest Rival: Man in Finance faces Kenny Be, a horse he beat earlier but who has since shown remarkable improvement, winning his next start by 8 1/2 lengths.

(5) Shoot It True: The Wild Card 💥

Trainer Wesley Ward enters the talented filly Shoot It True, who will face the boys in this race—a Ward specialty in the 2-year-old ranks.

• Key Stats:

• She won her debut at Keeneland by nearly eight lengths, earning a stellar 97 Equibase Speed Figure, the highest in this field.

• In the Kentucky Juvenile Stakes, she set a blazing early pace (21.8 for the opening quarter) before tiring late to finish fourth.

• Comeback Story: After a seven-month layoff, she returns without blinkers to help her relax and will have the legendary Frankie Dettori aboard. If she gets the early lead, her speed may be too much for the others to overcome.

Other Contenders 🏇

• (6) Kenny Be: A son of Complexity, he rebounded strongly after losing to Man in Finance, improving dramatically in his second start. Trainer David Duggan is confident: “He stepped up quite nicely.”

• (3) Soontobeking: Offers value as he drops back to six furlongs after a solid third-place effort in the Sleepy Hollow Stakes.

• (2) In the Chase and (7) Three B’s: Both round out the field, aiming to upset the favorites.

Race Details

📍 Location: Aqueduct Racetrack, Ozone Park, NY

🕰️ Post Time: 12:40 p.m. (Race 3 on a 10-race card)

💰 Purse: $100,000

Prediction

• Top Pick: (5) Shoot It True

• If she grabs the early lead and maintains her pace, she could pull off a wire-to-wire victory.

• Contender: (1) Man in Finance

• (5) If Shoot It True falters, (1) Man in Finance has the maturity and experience to close the deal.

This race is shaping up to be a thrilling clash of speed and strategy—don’t miss it! 🏇💨