AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
MAY 5, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
Aqueduct closed its doors this past weekend, and did so in grand style,
carding two Grade 3 events, the Withers and the Beaugay, on its final Saturday
card this spring. First up was the Beaugay for fillies and mares on the grass at
1 1/16 miles. FINERY (Lear fan) made a triumphant return to Aqueduct, rallying
smartly in deep stretch to win by a neck over Changing World (Spinning World).
The winner, who is conditioned by Billy Turner, captured her only previous
effort over the Aqueduct turf course, annexing the Athenia H. (G3) last fall.
Finery was extremely keen early on while reuniting with jockey Pablo Fragoso.
She benefited from a ground-saving trip as Changing World was hustled to the
lead from her rail post. Once the field straightened out for the stretch run,
Fragoso then maneuvered Finery off the inside as a seam opened up and set sail
for the leader. She responded willingly with a determined rally to overtake a
stubborn Changing World in the final yards. Asti (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), making
her first U.S. start for Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens, closed belatedly
for third, nosing out Fast Cookie (Deputy Minister) for a minor award.
About an hour later, seven three-year-olds entered the starting gate for the
Withers at a mile. Favoritism fell upon B. B. Best (Yes It’s True), and
rightfully so, off his third-place finishes to Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful High
Fly (Atticus) in the Florida Derby (G1) and Fountain of Youth S. (G2). A close
second in the wagering was Grade 1 winner Proud Accolade (Yes It’s True), who
failed miserably in the Rushaway S. at Turfway in March over a wet track, but
manhandled rivals by better than four lengths in the Hutcheson S. (G2) in his
three-year-old debut. However, neither runner failed to make an impact in the
race as top honors went to SCRAPPY T (Fight to Fight), an ultra-consistent
gelding who was a factor throughout the winter in three-year-old prep races at
Aqueduct.
Trained by Robert Bailes, Scrappy T, who exiting a third-place finish in the
Wood Memorial (G1), stalked a very mediocre pace set by War Plan (Fusaichi
Pegasus). Thrilled by the fact that he wasn’t chasing the fleet Bellamy Road
(Concerto) on this day, Scrappy T displaced the pacesetter on the far turn and
slowly began to edge away from that rival in the stretch. Park Avenue Ball (Citidancer),
who raced within striking distance of the frontrunners down the backstretch, was
angled out for the stretch drive as the winner had seized a daylight advantage.
The runner-up was resolute in his attempted to overtake the leader, closing to
within a length of him at the wire. War Plan held remarkably well all things
considered, while stretching out and stepping out to finish third.
You would need to turn the result chart upside down to find the finishing
positions of the favorites as Survivalist (Danzig), B. B. Best and Proud
Accolade finished fifth, sixth and last, respectively.
Scrappy T, purchased for a paltry $35,000 as a two-year-old by his
connections, is being targeted for the Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico on May 21.
In nine career starts, this appropriately named gelding has never finished
out-of-the-money, a streak that may be in jeopardy in the middle jewel of the
Triple Crown.
The Kings Point H. for New York-breds lost much of its panache on Sunday when
trainer Barclay Tagg elected to scratch Funny Cide (Distorted Humor). Tagg cited
the 127 pounds impost as the primary reason for withdrawing the five-year-old from
the race. Imagine the nerve of Aqueduct’s racing secretary, asking the Kentucky
Derby (G1), Preakness and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) victor to carry 127 pounds
against five overmatched state-breds rivals! Could anything be more ridiculous?
Tagg must have thought Funny Cide would get 120 or 121 pounds. Why didn’t Tagg
use bug boy Channing Hill to claim the five-pound apprentice allowance after
being unduly penalized in the Kings Point.
The show went on anyway without Funny Cide, and CHOWDER’S FIRST (Let
Goodtimes Roll) was the primary beneficiary of his defection as he blew past the
beleaguered pacesetters in the stretch to win going away by 1 1/4 lengths. The
race set up nicely for Chowder’s First, with Joe Bravo up, as Rogue Agent (Anjiz)
and Yankee Mon (Maria’s Mon) staged their own private match race down the
backstretch, distancing themselves from their other rivals. Their early exploits
began to take their toll on them shortly after they turned for home, as the
winner, in addition to Spite the Devil (Devil His Due), were able to pass both
of them. Rogue Agent won the pace battle, but lost the war, taking down the show
spot as Yankee Mon packed it in and finished last in the field of four.
The main track played favorable to speed to begin the week in sprints and
routes. Speed fared well in distances up to and including Saturday, as the
sprint contests did not seem to be impacted. There were no appreciable biases on
Sunday, and there did not seem to be any unfavorable paths all week. The turf
course played fairly when in use.
Richard Migliore took down leading rider honors over Jose Santos, who enjoyed
a fine main track meet since returning from Florida. Apprentice Hill was third
in the jockey standings and was closely followed by Shaun Bridgmohan.
Richard Dutrow Jr. was the leading trainer, with Mike Hushion in second,
followed by James Jerkens and Gary Contessa.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (4/27)
1ST – PREVIOUS SELECTION (Tanks’ Number) was a good second off a freshening
on the drop. Held well dictating the pace throughout but found seven furlongs a
bit beyond her scope. Would benefit from a cutback to six furlongs, where she
excels.
4TH – PROUD DILIGENCE (Diligence) showed a dramatic turnaround making second
start for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Exhibited much improved speed to set a fast
pace in a swiftly run race, and the gray colt should have derived beneficial
conditioning from this effort.
9TH – BLACK LIGHT DANCER (Signal Tap) broke slowly from her inside post.
Forced to check sharply while improving her position approaching the far turn,
she re-rallied, then was bumped by another rival and forced to check again along
the inside in the stretch. Rider wrapped up on her and would expect an improved
showing next time.
Thursday (4/28)
5TH – BLUE SKIES AHEAD (Sky Classic), who was re-claimed by Joseph Picariello
in his previous start, finished a strong third stepping up off the layoff.
Disputed the early fractions and held well late, and the chestnut would benefit
from a slight class drop back down to $35,000 claimers.
6TH – SHADY LANE (Peaks and Valleys) ran a winning race off a prolonged
layoff in first start for new trainer Dominick Galluscio. Stalked a fast early
pace and continued on well in the stretch while clearly second best in a race
that was quick throughout. Is unbeaten going a route of ground at Belmont Park.
9TH – HARBOR HOUSE (Boston Harbor) turned in a much improved second returning
from a freshening. Responded well to rating tactics and finished well to just
miss while stretching out to seven furlongs and dropping weight.
Friday (4/29)
1ST – ALEXANDER (Langfuhr) gave a much improved third-place effort in second
start over the Aqueduct main track. Allowed to lag too far behind slow fractions
on a speed favoring track, the sophomore closed with good energy as the pace
quickened to just miss second behind the winner who dropped down from the maiden
special weight level.
7TH – LETHIMTHINKHESBOSS (Demidoff) was a fine third switching back to grass.
Finished well chasing home the two logical favorites in a quick race for the
class level. Was beaten a mere neck at this distance over the Belmont Park inner
turf course last year.
Saturday (4/30)
5TH – CALCULATOR (Polish Numbers) closed with good energy off the layoff to
gain second against an odds-on wire-to-wire winner who carved out a modest pace
on the front end. Most recent win came at Belmont Park going seven furlongs.
9TH – FLIGHT READY (More Than Ready) was clearly second best in a swiftly run
race in his initial effort facing winners. Has exhibited much early foot since
equipped with Lasix and a middle distance suits him well.
Sunday (5/1)
6TH – MAXIMUM ODDS (Mt. Livermore) finished a good third shipping up from
Gulfstream Park. Vied for command between rivals and held reasonably well while
stretching out to seven furlongs. Should have derived beneficial conditioning
from this effort and might profit from a cutback in distance.
9TH – WILDLY (Wild Wonder) wound up an improved second dropping off a claim
for an outfit that does not excel with that move. Finished well late behind a
winner that dominated the field.