(Tuesday, December 8) There are just five days left to pad our Christmas bankroll before racing in New York goes on holiday.

There is no racing at Aqueduct from December 14-25, a dozen straight days where I am going to have to find something else to do.

It is actually a strange period each year having the two weeks off. What better way to bring in the holiday season than by hitting a couple of Pick 4’s?

In addition, I forget to mention to my wife that Aqueduct is not running, for fear it might mean a few extra trips to the mall or hanging a few more lights on the house.

Nah, I am thinking Tampa Bay Downs, Fair Grounds, and Hollywood Park can keep me busy through the holiday season.

We still have a full week of action from the Big A before the forced vacation.

The final graded stake of the year in New York is Saturday’s $100,000 Queen’s County Handicap (G3), for three year olds and upward going 1 3/16 miles on the inner track.

The race closed with 26 nominations, with Quality Road the top weight at 122, one of eight runners nominated by trainer Todd Pletcher, who said on Monday that it is unlikely any of them will make it to the starting gate.

“We don’t plan on starting any as of this moment,” said Pletcher. “But if it comes up really light, I might consider entering at the last minute.”

Honour Devil is the likely highweight that will start. Arthur Magnunson, the top assistant to the suspended Kiaran McLaughlin, will send him out.

The five year old is coming off a win against optional claiming company on Nov. 19, which was his first win in three starts since coming to the U.S. from Dubai.

The plan is to send the five-year-old back to Dubai after the Queen’s County.

The UAE Derby (G2) winner has won five of his ten career starts for earnings of over $1.5 million. Alan Garcia will ride him in the Queen’s County for the first time.

Mike Hushion will saddle Rodman in his stakes debut in the Queen’s County. The four year old colt was an impressive 7 ¾ length winner against first level allowance foes in his most recent start on Nov. 11.

While there is no stakes action on Thursday and Friday in New York, the week will kick off with the $65,000 Snit Stakes on Wednesday, a race that drew a field of ten fillies and mares that will go 1 1/16 miles on the inner track.

The field of ten likely will catch a wet track, with rain and sleet in the forecast overnight and right through most of the afternoon on Wednesday.

The morning line favorite is the Maryland shipper Love’s Blush, who is coming off a win in the Maryland bred All Brandy Stakes at Laurel Park in the slop on Nov. 14.

The three year old daughter of Not for Love is trained by Rodney Jenkins with Travis Dunkelberger in for a return ride.

The filly has run well in both of her starts on wet tracks and is bred top and bottom to handle a wet track.

An interesting longshot in the race is the Charles Town invader Saxet Heights, who is coming off a win going nine furlongs in the slop in the My Sister Pearl Stakes for West Virginia breds.

The filly has won three of her four starts on wet tracks and gets the services of Alan Garcia.