AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
JANUARY 19
by Bernard T. Moore
While there were not any cancellations at Aqueduct last week, Mother Nature
still let everyone know that she is constantly lurking in the shadows. An
extremely dense fog enveloped the Ozone Park area on Thursday afternoon, shortly
after the running of the 4TH race. Visibility at the racetrack was virtually
nonexistent, as one could barely see a hand in front of you. The remaining races
on the card were contested in this pea soup like fog, and the horses did not
come in view until deep stretch, which gave additional excitement to each race.
As if there is not enough drama already in horseracing.
The Affectionately H. became a supporting feature on the Saturday card when
the race was cancelled the preceding week because of adverse track conditions.
The inner track had been favoring inside speed in recent days, and as a result,
handicappers were quick to install SAINTLINESS (Holy Bull) as the 7-5 favorite.
With little other early speed signed on for this 1 1/16 mile event, the
five-year-old mare was immediately sent to the front from the rail under rider
Richard Migliore.
Saintliness was permitted to dictate a rather ordinary and uncontested pace
on the lead, and was able to parlay those favorable advantages into a hard
fought three-quarter-of-a-length decision over runner-up Miss Fortunate (Deputy
Minister). The second place finisher tracked the pacesetter from the outset, and
was getting to that rival in deep stretch, but unfortunately ran out of ground
late. She remained well clear of Mariakel (Lit De Justice), who finished a
non-threatening third while outlasting the also-rans. Board Elligible (Goldminers
Gold), the other runner in the field who was well supported at the windows,
failed to fire and finished last in a very disappointing effort.
Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, Saintliness kept her unblemished record intact
with this victory and her unbeaten streak over the Aqueduct inner track remained
perfect as well. While there are no concrete plans for Saintliness at the
present time, keeping her in New York doesn’t actually seem like a bad idea.
The Count Fleet, a race for three-year-olds, was also won in wire-to-wire
fashion when SCRAPPY T, an appropriately named son of Fit to Fight, repelled a
stiff challenge from Naughty New Yorker (Quiet American) in the stretch to
emerge victorious by a length. Once again, the front-runner was able to dictate
a moderate pace and had more than enough gas left in the tank to withstand all
late comers. Naughty New Yorker uncorked a powerful wide run to come within a
half-length of the winner on the far turn, but was unable to finish the job in
the stretch while easily second best.
This was the initial foray out of New York-bred company for Naughty New
Yorker and he acquitted himself quite well in defeat. Tani Maru (Cherokee Run),
who took the measure of Scrappy T in an allowance contest back in December,
lacked the necessary punch in the stretch when called upon and checked in seven
lengths behind the runner-up. Killenaule (Fusaichi Pegasus), the 5-2 second
choice in the race, finished a well-beaten seventh and did not appear to have
any visible excuses.
Scrappy T, a gelding who was purchased for $35,000 in April of 2004,
continues to improve with each start. He has demonstrated an admirable quality
in that he relishes a heated battle for the lead, and one can only surmise that
further progress should be forthcoming.
Early speed continued to dominate the results of the stakes contests over the
weekend as AMAZING BUY (High Yield) stretched out successfully in her first
start vs. winners to annex the Busanda S. on Sunday. The prohibitive choice in
the one-mile and 70-yard race for three-year-old fillies, she was confidently
ridden by jockey Norberto Arroyo as she stalked tepid fractions down the
backstretch. Amazing Buy was not cut loose until after she had entered the
stretch, and then proceeded to demonstrate her superiority over competition as
she edged away to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Pelham Bay (Smart Strike) finished
second after being bottled up along the rail down the backstretch and around the
far turn. However, once she secured racing room in the stretch, she failed to
kick it in and just held the place by a nose over an oncoming Pretty Partisan
(Badge).
Amazing Buy is trained by Jennifer Pedersen, whose barn has come alive since
Aqueduct opened. The winner is unbeaten since treated with Lasix, and owner
Ernie Paragallo believes she’ll only get better as she stretches out in
distance. He said Amazing Buy will be pointed toward the Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Maddy’s Lion (Lion Hearted), taking full advantage of his quick turn of foot
and an inside post, scored an impressive daylight victory in the Jimmy Winkfield
S. on Martin Luther King Day. The Maryland homebred was immediately hustled away
from the gate by jockey Pablo Fragoso to set a pressured pace. He was hounded on
the front end by the 3-2 favorite, More Smoke (Smoke Glacken), who had tasted
defeat on only one occasion up until this point. Maddy’s Lion was able to
dispose of the runner-up in the stretch, kicking into to overdrive late to win
by 6 1/4 widening lengths. More Smoke, who tried in vain to match strides with
the winner, was easily second best and remained well clear of Lieutenant Danz
(Gold Fever), who finished a distant third.
This was the second inner track victory for Maddy’s Lion and first against
open stakes rivals. He was bred by owner Dennis Federico and is trained by John
Pregman Jr., who is having a fine winter track meet from just a handful of
starters.
Inside speed was dominant when racing resumed on Wednesday, but became less
pronounced as the week wore on. In fact, there were no apparent biases on Sunday
or on the special Holiday card.
Rafael Bejarano continues to lead all riders with 41 victories, 10 more than
Norberto Arroyo Jr. who holds down the second spot. Shaun Bridgmohan has 26
winners to his credit, followed by Aaron T. Gryder with 22 scores. Richard
Migliore rounds out the top 5.
Richard Dutrow Jr. and Scott Lake are tied for leading trainer honors with 14
wins each, two ahead of Gary Contessa. Tom Bush, who was in a dead-heat for
first place last week with Dutrow, dropped to fourth on the list and is now tied
with Mike Hushion.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (1/12)
4TH – CASEY’S GOLD FEVER (Gold Fortune) exhibited improved speed with the
addition of blinkers. Unfortunately, he was unlucky to encounter a well bet/well
meant first timer who dominated the competition from start to finish. Fits very
well at the $20,000 level.
8TH – TWINKIE ZONE (Wild Zone) finished a sharp second returning from a
freshening. Closed well late against a wire-to-wire winner who was permitted to
roam free over a speed conducive track. Newfound ability to handle moisture is a
definite plus.
Thursday (1/13)
2ND – GLAMDRING (Marquetry) turned in an improved effort dropping down to the
$16,000 level and switching riders. Finished with good energy in a race that
quickened late. Loves six furlongs on the inner and relishes even the slightest
hint of moisture in the track.
3RD – FREEDOM RIDGE (Quaker Ridge) was a good third at long odds turning back
to a sprint without blinkers. Closed well in the stretch behind a loose
front-runner over a speed favoring track.
Friday (1/14)
3RD – CHICAGO’S GIRL (Go for Gin) closed strongly late to gain the place off
a layoff. Finished with good energy despite a modest pace on a speed-biased
track.
8TH – TAX THE QUEEN (Artax) used the wrong tactics chasing a quick pace
dictated by a sprinter who stretched out to win. Prefers to settle and make one
run. May also favor a dry track as well.
Saturday (1/15)
2ND – APRIL TRUE (Yes It’s True), John Servis firster, ran quite well in
career debut. Set a lively pace for the class level to the stretch and weakened
gradually late. Bred top and bottom for a dirt sprint and to win early in her
career.
8TH – Naughty New Yorker offered a strong second-place showing tackling open
company rivals for the first time. Hampered by an ordinary pace on the lead.
Still was able to unleash a powerful run on the turn to reach contention and
finished with good energy in a race that quickened noticeably late.
Sunday (1/16)
2ND – THUNDER’S COMIN (Thunder Gulch), a firster from Pletcher, received only
lukewarm support at the betting windows. Broke sluggishly from the gate and was
a bit slow to find his best stride. Finished with interest late in a swiftly run
race despite racing greenly and failing to switch to his proper lead. Appears as
though he would appreciate more ground and could benefit if blinkers were added.
6TH – WAR FRONT (Danzig) was a much improved third at a distance of ground in
second career start. Very rank and extremely hard to rate chasing a strong pace
on the front end, the sophomore dispensed a strong move to hit the front on the
far turn, but weakened under pressure in deep stretch. Should have derived
beneficial conditioning and experience from this effort. Grass may be in his
future down the road as his dam excelled on turf.
Monday (1/17)
9TH – TWOOUTSINTHENINTH (Gold Token) simply toyed with an overmatched field
of MSW rivals. Can successfully handle a jump into a preliminary allowance
contest if properly spotted. This three-year-old gelding has begun to blossom
since stretched out by Hushion.