AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
APRIL 27, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
Just one week of racing remains for the Aqueduct spring meet before the
action shifts to Belmont Park, and then, Saratoga. I guess I’m getting a bit
ahead of myself, but while I do like Aqueduct, I’m geared up for a change of
pace like everyone else, especially after a long, cold winter.
However, before the action returns to “Big Sandy,” there is still a lot going
on at the “Big A.” This past weekend, Aqueduct featured the return of Breeders’
Cup Turf (G1) hero BETTER TALK NOW (Talkin Man) in the Fort Marcy H. (G3) at 1 1/16
miles. Better Talk Now was able to keep his unbeaten streak over the Aqueduct
turf course intact as he closed determinedly in deep stretch to win by a
measured neck over a stubborn Remind (Deputy Minister). Going into the Fort
Marcy, the possibility existed that Better Talk Now might be a tad short off the
layoff, especially at 8 1/2 furlongs, a distance which seemed to be
to be too short for him, at least on paper. But the six-year-old gelding closed
resolutely off modest fractions to get up in time at the wire under a confident
ride by jockey Ramon Dominguez.
Unlucky in defeat was Remind, who contested the pace from the outset over the
“good” turf course. He resisted gamely when challenged by the winner in
the stretch, yielding grudgingly late to his more accomplished rival.
Ecclesiastic (Pulpit) closed belatedly for third and was never a serious threat. L’Oiseau d’Argent (Silver Hawk) appeared to break a bit slowly leaving the gate
and was then carried out a by a rival who veered outward shortly thereafter. As
a result, he trailed the field early, but eventually reached contention down the
backstretch. However, L’Oiseau d’Argent failed to sustain that rally and
finished last as the second choice in the wagering.
Immediate plans call for Better Talk Now to contest the Dixie H. (G2) at
Pimlico on the Preakness Day undercard on May 21. He failed miserably in that
race last year, and his connections hope to he will make amends in his return to
Maryland, especially if the turf course has the slightest give to it.
The racing adage “pace makes the race” was never more relevant than in
the Bed O’ Roses Breeders’ Cup H. (G3), a race for fillies and mares,
three-year-olds and up at one mile. Battle lines were drawn rather quickly in
the Bed O’ Roses, which was also contested on Saturday afternoon, with Traci
Girl (Quiet American) and Cativa (Sir Cat) racing the opening half-mile in
company in a lively :45. Neither runner let up as they reached the six furlong
marker on even terms in a quick 1:09 4/5, and after that split had been posted,
you just knew that a closer would have a say in the outcome of this race.
Bank Audit (Wild Rush) was the first to make a move in the stretch, after she
had tracked the pacesetters from the outset. Nevertheless, it was PLEASANT HOME
(Seeking The Gold) who was rallying best of all. Trained by Shug McGaughey, who
has been on a roll this spring at Aqueduct, she proceeded to add another winner
to his ever expanding list as she blew past a beleaguered Traci Girl to score by
better than five widening lengths.
The Phipps Stable homebred runner, boasting
only early level allowance victories thus far in her career, is yet another in a
long line of Gulfstream Park shippers that have had unqualified success since
heading north. Traci Girl did well to finish second by three parts of a length
over Cativa, who saved the show. Bank Audit weakened when set down for the drive
and finished fifth.
The Times Square Division of the New York Stallion Stakes got a bit of a
boost in stature when Galloping Grocer’s (A. P Jet) name appeared in the
entries. Having just competed in the Wood Memorial (G1), he didn’t appear likely
to actually run on Sunday. But he did, lining up in the
starting gate with six other rivals for the one-mile event. What was
particularly peculiar about the wagering for this division of the New York
Stallion Stakes was the generous support bestowed upon Big Apple Daddy (Precise
End), despite the presence of the more accomplished Galloping Grocer. In the end
however, Galloping Grocer was bet down to overwhelming favoritism, with the odds
on Big Apple Daddy drifting upward.
GOLD AND ROSES (Gold Token) was immediately sent to the front by jockey Shaun
Bridgmohan, and was then joined on the lead by Summerland (Western Expression)
down the backstretch. As Summerland began to give way approaching the far turn,
Big Apple Daddy took up the chase, with Galloping Grocer two lengths farther
behind in third. That would ultimately be the order in which they would finish,
as Gold and Roses repelled a stubborn Big Apple Daddy to win by a half-length.
The runner-up still managed to hold onto to the place over Galloping Grocer, who
had every opportunity in the stretch to pass the top two finishers under a
furious stretch drive by jockey Edgar Prado.
Galloping Grocer is obviously not the same animal
that came within a neck of defeating Rockport Harbor (Unbridled’s Song) in the Remsen S. (G2)
last November, a race which has seemed to had a lasting effect on both horses.
There were not any discernible biases on the main track last week, although on
Sunday, early speed did do well. There did not appear to be any unfavorable
paths all week. The turf course was honest when in use.
Richard Migliore heads into the final week of the meet with a seven win
cushion over Bridgmohan, who has a tenuous one-win lead over Channing Hill for
second. Jose Santos holds down the fourth spot.
Richard Dutrow Jr. leads Mike Hushion by a single win in the race for leading
trainer. Scott Lake has sole possession of third while Gary Contessa and James
Jerkens are tied for fourth.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (4/20)
3RD – DANCE QUIET (Saint Ballado) suffered a heartbreaking second-place
finish returning to a dry track. The sophomore colt came up on the wrong end of
a tight photo after a stretch long battle with the winner and might benefit from
a slight cutback in distance.
6TH – CONNECTIVITY (Crimson Guard) ran “sneaky well” to finish third, but was
compromised by a tough inside post and ordinary fractions on the front end. The
gelding closed with interest in a race that finished up extremely well late.
7TH – SALIC LAW (Deputy Commander) might have been “prepping” off the layoff
in his turf debut. He disputed a strong pace before weakening in the stretch.
His dam has yet to produce a turf winner from five grass starters.
Thursday (4/21)
1ST – HENNIE’S MELODY (Mr. Greeley) came in a sharp second switching to turf
with a live five pound apprentice at the controls. The filly exhibited surprise
speed to dictate the pace and gave ground grudgingly in the stretch.
6TH – ALPHABETICAL (Alphabet Soup) was hard used setting a quick and pestered
pace off a five week layoff. He understandably gave way once displaced on the
lead and would benefit from some class relief and/or a race where he can shake
loose early. The six-year-old has run well at Belmont Park in the past and could
return to form there.
Friday (4/22)
1ST – STOP THE RACE (Lite the Fuse) was hard used setting a pressured pace on
the drop for Dutrow and may prefer to sit and make one run.
2ND – EL RAABI (Fusaichi Pegasus) was a tad short off the shelf while
stretching out to a flat mile, clearly second best to a dominant winner. She has
the pedigree for a route of ground as her dam produced the Grade 1 winner
Saratoga Springs.
6TH – ATTILA’S STORM (Forest Wildcat) experienced an upsetting second-place
finish off a layoff with blinkers on. He won the pace battle but lost the war to
a fresh closer turning back to a sprint in a race that finished up well late.
Saturday (4/23)
1ST – ACE’S CAPPELLA (Victory Gallop) finished a strong third off a brief
freshening while returning to the Aqueduct main track. Made a premature move
into a hot pace to seize the lead and weakened under pressure.
8TH – Cativa set a pestered early pace stretching out to a mile in the Bed O’
Roses. The Dutrow trainee held reasonably well to finish third in an improved
effort and seems to prefer stalking/rating tactics and would rather race outside
of rivals.
Sunday (4/24)
1ST – KRIZZ (Two Punch) turned in a much improved third-place finish with the
addition of blinkers, but set a pressured pace and tired slowly late. The filly
will need time to recoup from this effort, and would probably benefit from a
cutback in distance as well.
9TH – DYNAMO HUM (Precise End) was a sharp second stepping up and stretching
out to a mile. She made a strong move into a fast pace to vie for the lead and
held well, but may be better suited to a sprint.