AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
NOVEMBER 9, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
Aqueduct once again opened its doors last week, a sure sign that fall is here
and winter is gaining with each passing day. The “Big A” remains open until
March, with racing switching from the main track to the inner dirt at the end of
November.
As long as the spell of unseasonably warm and or dry weather persists, turf
racing will continue. The full and contentious fields that comprise these grass
contests are in stark contrast to those contests on dirt. First post time each
day is 12:30 p.m. (EST), with minor changes scheduled for the Thanksgiving
Holiday Weekend.
Eager to rebound from an abysmal effort at Philadelphia Park where she
suffered her only career defeat, INDIAN VALE (A.P. Indy) did exactly that when
impressively defeating four other rivals in Saturday’s Turnback the Alarm H.
(G3). Allowed to set a deliberate pace on the front end, Indian Vale maintained
her daylight advantage into the stretch and subsequently drew away from her
competition to win by 9 1/2 widening lengths. Taittinger Rose (Menifee) gave
futile chase to the winner and held well for second, reporting home 1 1/4
lengths ahead of Asti (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), who dwelt at the start and could
do no better than third.
Saturday marked a day of firsts for OLAYA (Theatrical [Ire]) in the Long
Island H. (G2), a race for fillies and mares at 1 1/2 miles. It was her first
U.S. start, her first race vs. older runners, her first start on Lasix, her
first at Aqueduct, her first over a firm turf course, her first start for
trainer Graham Motion and her first start with jockey Edgar Prado at the
controls. Did I leave anything out? It wouldn’t be the first time. All of those
firsts translated into a well-deserved neck victory for the Kentucky-bred Olaya.
Racing towards the back of the pack, Olaya began to improve her position
after 10 furlongs. She was maneuvered to the inside part of the course by Prado
for a stretch run, splitting horses as she continued to rally. Olaya closed
gamely in deep stretch along the inside to get up in time and score by a neck
over Spotlight (GB) (Dr Fong), who was obviously an unlucky second. The
runner-up attended the pace dictated by Little Buttercup (Labeeb [GB]),
displacing that runner on the front end and eventually securing a daylight
advantage in midstretch. However, she could not retain her lead, as the finish
line simply did not come soon enough. Kate Winslet (Signal Tap) saved ground for
most of the race and was then guided toward the outside for the stretch run.
Nevertheless, she lacked the necessary response late, finishing a length behind
the runner-up. Odds-on favorite Latice (Ire) (Inchinor [GB]) was one-paced
throughout and finished fifth.
Sunday’s card featured four divisions of the New York Stallion Stakes, for
horses sired by New York stallions.
The $100,000 Cormorant Division for three-year-olds and up at one mile on
turf produced a formful result as RETRIBUTION (Rob ‘n Gin) wired the field to
emerge victorious by 3 1/4 lengths. Unnerving (Dixie Brass) chased the winner
from the outset and finished second as Red Down South (Dixie Brass) closed
belatedly to take down the show.
The $100,000 Great White Way Division for two-year-old colts and geldings
featured a race long speed duel between CLASSIC PACK (Regal Classic) and Surfing
Ian (Rizzi). Classic Pack was going a bit better in deep stretch than his pace
nemesis and earned a well-deserved 1 1/2-length victory. Trick Meeting (Phone
Trick) finished third.
The filly counterpart of the Great White Way, the $125,000 Fifth Avenue
Division, produced an interesting result as PRINCESS SWEET (Precise End)
returned off only a three-day rest to win impressively by nearly five lengths.
Trained by Linda Rice, Princess Sweet stalked a fast early pace and then
overtook the leaders around the far turn. She then spurted away to a daylight
lead, adding to her advantage in the stretch, and was then kept busy by jockey
Cornelio Velazquez in deep stretch to win by a comfortable margin. No Reason
(Precise End) did well to finish second by a nose over the 2-1 favorite, Little
Miss Zip (City Zip).
In the $125,000 Perfect Arc Division for fillies and mares three-year-olds
and up at a flat mile on turf, CHAMPAGNE ENDING (Precise End) immediately gained
the lead and school was basically out. She was never really challenged on the
lead, and as a result, proved to be an easy winner. Forbidden Sea (Spectacular
Bid) raced within shouting distance of the winner down the backstretch, but
could not keep pace with that rival around the turn and into the stretch. Square
Dancing (Western Expression), the early trailer, closed with good energy to grab
the show.
John Velazquez and Prado are tied for the top spot in the jockey standings.
Velasquez holds down third place, and there is a four-way dead-heat for fourth.
Todd Pletcher owns a single victory advantage over Richard Dutrow Jr. in the
race for leading trainer. Seven trainers are dead-locked for third-place on the
list.
Early speed fared well over the main track in sprints and routes virtually
all week.
The turf course was relatively bias free except for Sunday, when early speed
did well.
There did not appear to be any discernible path biases all week.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (11/2)
6TH – ICE N LEMON (Acceptable) finished a good second in his career debut.
After trailing the field early, the juvenile closed strongly while racing wide
vs. a lively pace on a speed favoring course. Should continue to improve with
age and distance.
7TH – ERNIE’S CHOICE (Lite the Fuse) offered a change in tactics, closing
well from off the pace in his return to Aqueduct. Appears set for a top effort
in third start off the shelf.
Thursday (11/3)
1ST – WITHOUT A RING (Phone Trick) dictated a very fast pace while
recapturing his early speed. Tired in the stretch when displaced on the lead by
the odds-on winning favorite. Obviously at his best on the front end and may
continue to show more next time.
6TH – SILENT MALIBU (Malibu Wesley) turned in an encouraging debut chasing an
impressive well bet/well meant first timer who “aired” her rivals. Held well to
finish second and the two-year-old filly hails from a low percentage first out
sire. She should definitely benefit from this initial career experience.
Friday (11/4)
2ND – SMOKE GRANTED (Smoke Glacken) improved here in her second career start.
Held gamely after setting a pressured pace in a race that finished up well late.
Appears to have room for further improvement.
7TH – NO CALLED STRIKES (Artax) finished a decent third in his first effort
over a dry main track. Chased a lively pace and finished evenly late. Hails from
a stakes-placed dam who did well in sprints and routes.
Saturday (11/5)
5TH – MARKET FORCE (Storm Cat) was a sharp third in his first effort over a
dry track. Chased, then set an extremely fast pace and tired slowly late.
Appears poised to register that elusive first career victory.
8TH – Taittinger Rose was compromised by yet another soft pace scenario on
the front end. Forced to chase a superior runner who wired the field setting
pedestrian fractions over a speed favoring course. Needs a better setup to be at
her best.
Sunday (11/6)
1ST – SEEK TO SOAR (Seeking the Gold) offered a dramatic form reversal
switching to grass. Made a bold move to hit the front in the stretch, but
weakened slightly under pressure. Her future appears to be over the lawn as her
dam was a prolific graded stakes winner on grass.
8TH – No Reason wound up a good second with the addition of blinkers. Was
pushed along from the rail post to dispute a hot pace and continued on well when
displaced on the lead. Forced to steady in the stretch and then altered course
to finish well in a race that was quick throughout. Remains eligible for a
preliminary allowance contest.