AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 23, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
This past Saturday, NYRA kicked off its traditional Presidents’ Day weekend
of racing. The Fred “Cappy” Capossela for three-year-olds at six furlongs was
the feature and favoritism in the race fell upon Attila’s Storm (Forest
Wildcat), a maiden, who was making his first start for his new connections off a
private purchase.
As the field broke from the starting gate, the race did not exactly develop
in the manner that everyone thought it would. DISTINCTIVE TRICK (Distinctive
Pro), Summerland (Western Expression) and Attila’s Storm all vied for the early
lead, as Atilla’s Storm was not able to clear early and get over to the rail.
Distinctive Trick was the quickest of the trio and set the early pace toward the
rail. Benjamin Baby (Forest Wildcat), whose best game is on or near the lead,
came away from the barrier a bit lethargically while breaking from the rail. He
stalked the pacesetters in the second flight while Pavo (Marquetry) took up a
position toward the back of the pack.
Not much changed until the top of the stretch, with Distinctive Trick
maintaining his position on the front end as both Attila’s Storm and Summerland
continued their futile chase. Benjamin Baby was angled off the rail for a
stretch bid as Pavo raced in traffic toward the inside. Distinctive Trick found
another gear in the stretch, spurting away to a daylight advantage as Pavo and
Benjamin Baby continued to close. Pavo leveled off nicely when he was finally
able to obtain clear sailing, rallying strongly to miss by a half-length as the
wire came up too quickly for him. Benjamin Baby failed to sustain his rally late
and was 1 1/2 lengths farther back in third. Even-money favorite Attila’s Storm
gave way slowly to finish fourth, beaten three lengths without a visible excuse.
The best horse does not always win in Thoroughbred racing, but that’s the one
you want your money on. That statement was never more true than after the
participants in the Capossela had crossed the finish line. In my opinion, Pavo,
the runner-up in that contest, was arguably best. Hindered by an unflattering
pace scenario on the front end, he was steadied slightly several times while
racing down the backstretch. He was then forced to check more severely on the
far turn while in the midst of his rally, and did not get free and clear of
traffic until midstretch. He kicked into gear while closing determinedly to be
an unlucky second.
The definition of lucky can also mean the ability to take advantage of an
opportunistic situation. Distinctive Trick certainly did that and more. Jockey
Stewart Elliot gave the winner a textbook ride on the front end as the sophomore
gamely brushed off all late challenges to register his initial stakes victory
for owner/trainer Uriah St. Lewis.
There was yet another sprint stake on Sunday, the Hollie Hughes, for New
York-bred three year olds and up going six furlongs. In stark contrast to
Saturday’s feature, the closer and race favorite did get the money in this
contest as PAPUA (Louis Quatorze) wore down the leader in the stretch to win
drawing clear by 3 3/4 lengths.
Trained by Mike Hushion, Papua sat in the garden spot racing down the
backstretch, relaxing nicely off a four-horse speed duel on the front end. He
began to lengthen his stride on the far turn, proceeded to cut the corner upon
entering the stretch, and then set sail for the leader as a seam opened up along the rail. Jockey Richard Migliore angled his mount to
the inside for a final run and Papua kicked into overdrive once switching to his
proper lead, mowing down the eventual runner-up with authority en route to a
daylight victory.
Show Boot (Storm Boot), the lone survivor of the suicidal speed duel on the
front end, held gamely for the place. Citizenship (Polish Numbers) picked up the
pieces while closing along the inside in the stretch to finish a non-threatening
third. The 5-2 second choice, Impeachthepro (Distinctive Pro), tired gradually
to finish a well beaten fourth.
Papua’s victory marked the third consecutive year he has won the Hollie
Hughes. Winless from nine starts since capturing last year’s Hollie Hughes, the
undisputable horse for the course bettered his inner track record to six wins
from just 10 attempts.
The feature race on Monday’s Presidents’ Day card was the Dearly Precious S.
for three-year-old fillies at six furlongs. While there were no restrictions as
to where a runner was foaled, the Dearly Precious certainly had the look of a
New York-bred contest, with four of the six runners hailing from the Empire
State. When handicapping the race, Megascape (Cape Canaveral) and Slew Motion
(Slew Gin Fizz) both appeared to need the lead to be at their best. A race
doesn’t necessarily always unfold exactly that way you think it will, but it did
in this case as both speedsters came away from the gate hell bent on getting to
the front.
A protracted battle for the lead ensued into the stretch, which set up the
race for an off-the-pace runner. Although Megascape, the 4-5 favorite, was able
to dispose of Slew Motion in the stretch, she would pay the price for
accomplishing that feat. The early duel rendered the prohibitive favorite
helpless to stave off the late rally of ACEY DEUCEY (Abaginone).
Ridden by jockey Diane Nelson, Acey Deucey raced well behind the hotly
contested pace before leveling off in the lane and blowing by the beleaguered
leader in deep stretch to win going away. Phyllis Sassy Girl (Concerto) also
took advantage of the fast fractions to finish strongly and snatch the place
from Megascape late, finishing 1 1/4 lengths behind the winner. Megascape
retreated to third as a spent Slew Motion dropped back in the final furlong to
check in fifth as the 2-1 second choice in the wagering.
A strong inside speed bias in sprints and routes was prevalent to begin the
week. But, that trend was noticeably less severe on Saturday and seem to
disappear altogether on Sunday.
Richard Dutrow Jr. leads Scott Lake by a single victory in the trainer’s
standings. Gary Contessa is just two scores behind Dutrow. Mike Hushion and
Bruce Levine complete the top five.
Rafael Bejarano’s stranglehold on leading rider swelled as he now holds a
15-win edge over Norberto Arroyo Jr. Shaun Bridgmohan remains in third, followed
by Mike Luzzi. Stewart Elliot and Richard Migliore are in a dead-heat for fifth.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (2/16)
5TH – YANKEE DOODLE BOY (Quiet American) improved with a second-place finish
while reverting to rating tactics. He lagged too far behind ordinary fractions
over an intense inside speed biased track, but closed well to gain the place
while racing on the deeper part of the track in the stretch.
8TH – SALTY CHARACTER’s (Salt Lake) third-place finish is better than it
appears. After racing wide on the far turn and into the stretch, he rallied
against the grain of an inside speed-biased track. The one-run closer needs a
good setup and a strong off the pace rider.
Thursday (2/17)
1ST – BYBACK (Smart Strike) was hindered chasing a fast pace dictated by a
stretch out sprinter. Has run well stalking and rating from off the pace in the
past. Deserves another chance at the $7,500 level.
6TH – KID HENDRIX (Lemon Drop Kid) turned in a creditable effort in his first
start against maiden claimers. He finished clearly second best behind a well
bet/well meant firster who benefited from setting a soft pace along a gold rail.
Friday (2/18)
4TH – SHOP AGAIN (Wild Again) produced a sharp third-place finish off a much
needed rest. Closed strongly in the stretch vs. the grain of an inside
speed-biased track in a race that quickened late. Merits following, especially
if competing over a wet Aqueduct main track in her next start.
7TH – SWITHER (Anees) finished a good second with the addition of blinkers,
carving out extremely quick fractions on the front end. Battled gamely to the
wire when displaced on the front end.
Saturday (2/19)
3RD – FORTUNATE STORM (Fortunate Prospect) was a tad short returning from a
brief rest. Held the advantage entering in the stretch and weakened under
pressure. Has coughed up the lead twice going nine furlongs and would definitely
benefit from a cutback in distance.
4TH – SNOWS GONE (Gone for Real) gave a strong third-place effort in her
career debut. Raced well off the early pace and finished with good energy in a
swiftly run race. Dominick Galluscio-trained runner has a license to improve as
conditioner rarely wins with his first timers.
Sunday (2/20)
7TH – STAR CELEBRITY (Louis Quatorze) turned in a sharp effort in two-turn
debut for trainer Todd Pletcher. Finished strongly in the stretch to be clearly
second best in a race that was fast throughout. Bred top and bottom for a
distance of ground, her dam placed in a Grade 3 stakes in New York and all three
of her wins came in routes.
9TH – RODEO ROULETTE (Rodeo) carried her speed much farther while chasing a
superior pace rival in her latest effort. Understandably tired from her early
exploits late while relinquishing the show spot in deep stretch.
Monday (2/21)
5TH – INEVITABLY TRUE (Expensive Decision) yielded a creditable showing in
his initial start around two turns while adding Lasix. Chased a superior speed
rival and finished with interest late while just missing the place. Has the
pedigree to handle middle distances.