AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
NOVEMBER 30, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
Despite the Fall Highweight H. losing its graded status, and ATTILA’S STORM
(Forest Wildcat) losing his scheduled jockey, who was literally “caught in
traffic” on Thanksgiving Day, those who witnessed this race first hand at
Aqueduct found it to be certainly worth the price of admission. Attila’s Storm
was able to prevail in a gutsy performance, eking out a nose victory in a
thrilling renewal of this once prestigious race. Breaking from the rail, he set
a quick and pressured pace towards the inside part of the course. With Ramon
Dominguez unable to ride because of traffic woes, apprentice rider Pablo Morales
filled in quite capably, as he skillfully rationed the early speed of the
wire-to-wire winner.
Trained by Richard Schosberg, Attila’s Storm subsequently secured a tenuous
half-length advantage in midstretch, and then still had enough gas left in the
tank to withstand late rallies from both Voodoo (Petionville) and Super Fuse (Lite
The Fuse). Voodoo, up close early while stalking the pacesetters, finished with
good energy between rivals in the stretch, outgaming Super Fuse by a neck to
gain the place. The third-place finisher trailed the field early, but found his
best stride leaving the far turn. He also closed with a purpose in the stretch,
but his rally fell short by a quarter-length. Yankee Mon (Maria’s Mon), the 4-1
second choice in the wagering, suffered a wide trip while disputing the early
fractions, and then began to drop back around the far turn, finishing seventh.
On paper, the Top Flight H. (G2) on Friday appeared to be STELLAR JAYNE’s
(Wild Rush) for the taking. However, it did not exactly play out that way on the
track, as the heavy 3-5 favorite was all out to overtake a stubborn Bohemian
Lady (Carson City) in deep stretch, winning by a mere half-length. Ridden by
Jerry Bailey, Stellar Jayne stalked the pace carved out by Bohemian Lady into
the stretch. The runner-up was gamer than game, holding on tenaciously to the
lead as she passed the sixteenth-pole. Nevertheless, Stellar Jayne, with earnings
nearing the $1.5 million mark, dug down deep and was resolute in her pursuit of
the front runner, slowly wearing her down in the final yards to win the last race
of her career.
As for Bohemian Lady, she was beyond brave in defeat. It was a tough race for
her to lose, especially when you consider the fact that she was returning from a
six-week layoff. Seeking the Ante (Seeking the Gold) was a non-threatening
third, checking in 4 1/4 lengths behind the second-place finisher. Ender’s
Sister (A.P. Indy), dispatched at odds of 7-2, showed speed for nearly six
furlongs and then lacked the necessary response when called upon in the stretch,
finishing a disappointing sixth.
The following day, PURGE (Pulpit) was also able to conclude his career on a
winning note, closing powerfully in the stretch to overhaul Mass Media (Touch
Gold) and then draw clear to score by 3 3/4 lengths. Reverting to rating tactics
with Garrett Gomez at the helm, Purge raced well off the early pace down the
backstretch. The Todd Pletcher trained runner began to advance around the far
turn, leveling off nicely upon entering the stretch. Purge then blew past the
leaders with giant strides to win going away. Mass Media attended the pace from
the outset and then seized the lead in the stretch. His advantage was short
lived once the winner kicked into gear. He continued on well to save the place
by three parts of a length over Gygistar (Prospector’s Music), who finished with
interest to gain the show. Badge of Silver (Silver Deputy), the 2-1 favorite,
chased the pace for a half-mile and then retreated steadily to finish eighth.
BLUEGRASS CAT (Storm Cat) was the only favorite to score in the trio of
stakes contests presented at Aqueduct on Saturday. However, despite coming out
on top in the Remsen S. (G2), it wasn’t a cakewalk for Bluegrass Cat. The
odds-on favorite stumbled shortly after the start and then was hounded virtually
every step of the way on the front end by Flashy Bull (Holy Bull), who obviously
outran his 18-1 odds. Nevertheless, Bluegrass Cat ultimately put that
stubborn rival away in deep stretch en route to a well-deserved victory with
regular rider John Velazquez aboard. Parkhimonbroadway (Ecton Park) finished
third in an even effort. Congo King (Horse Chestnut), was bumped at the start
and then proceeded to race a bit lethargically early on. He improved his
position down the backstretch, but was unable to keep pace with the leaders as
the race quickened around the far turn, eventually checking in sixth.
WONDER LADY ANNE L (Real Quiet), throttled down to stalk a pedestrian pace
under jockey Cornelio Velasquez, parlayed those tactics to finish first in the
Demoiselle S. (G2) by a convincing 2 3/4 lengths. With only a maiden victory on
her resume prior to Saturday, the Richard Dutrow Jr.-trained two-year-old filly
waited anxiously to be given her cue by Velasquez down the backstretch, as the
pair sat behind a very deliberate pace. Once Cinderella’s Dream (Prime Timber)
moved to engage the frontrunner around the far turn, Wonder Lady Anne L followed
suit, with the duo leaving the pacesetting Wait a While (Maria’s Mon) in their
wake shortly after entering the stretch. By the time they reached the furlong
marker, Wonder Lady Anne L began to pull away slowly from a game Cinderella’s
Dream, as the second-place finisher was unable to match strides with her in deep
stretch. Wait a While managed to save the show with Better Now (Thunder Gulch),
the 9-5 favorite, finishing a non-descript fifth.
Sunday’s closing day feature for racing over the main track was the Montauk
H. for New York bred fillies and mares at nine furlongs. FLEET INDIAN (Indian
Charlie), taking full advantage of her inside post and a lack of early speed in
the race, lead every step of the 1 1/8 miles to win by five widening lengths.
Ridden by Velazquez, the four-year-old filly was the beneficiary of only token
pressure on the lead as she dictated ordinary fractions. When asked to pick up
the pace by Velazquez in the stretch, Fleet Indian responded willingly and drew
clear with authority. Star Celebrity (Louis Quatorze) stalked the slow pace
along the inside and then made a run at the leader shortly after turning for
home. She was unable to match strides with the winner, but held well to save the
place by a length over Shady Lane (Peaks and Valleys). Lone Tree (Exploit), the
5-2 second choice in the betting, raced in the second flight of runners and
lacked the necessary response when called upon, finishing fourth in a lackluster
effort.
Velasquez topped all riders over the main track, with Edgar Prado finishing
second. Velasquez, Javier Castellano and Morales rounded out the top five.
Pletcher, with four winners on Saturday, eclipsed the single-season North
American earnings record for a trainer with four victories. His banner day
served as a springboard to garner yet another training title by just a single
victory over Dutrow Jr. The top pair were followed Gary Contessa, Mike Hushion
and Allen Jerkens.
There did not appear to be any biases over the main track last week in either
sprints or routes.
The grass course appear to favor runners from off the pace, but it was not
extreme by any means.
There did not appear to be any discernible path biases all week.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (11/23)
4TH – FIVE SECOND FUSE (Forestry) finished a good third switching back to the
main track with the hood removed while going a middle distance of ground.
Disputed honest fractions and continued on reasonably well in a race that
finished up well late. Has dangerous tactical speed could turn up next in a
maiden claimer for a high profile trainer.
5TH – Shady Lane set, then disputed a fast pace returning from a three-month
layoff. Dropped back readily leaving the far turn in a much needed effort with
blinkers, a move to cure her recent bout with seconditis. Trainer Dominick
Galluscio has an anemic success rate adding blinkers for the first time
blinkers, so she has every right to move forward in her second start with the
hood.
Thursday (11/24)
4TH – VIVA JULIA (Williamstown) showed a much improved effort making first
effort off the layoff for new trainer Angel Penna Jr. Exhibited new found early
speed to chase the early pace and held well to finish a strong third in a race
that quickened noticeably late.
5TH – SOUTH WING (DIXIE BRASS) held well to finish a “close up” third after
squandering a daylight lead. Carved out a lively pace and then continued on
surprisingly well in a race that was fast throughout. Might benefit if the
blinkers were removed, as she appears to be more controllable without them.
Friday (11/25)
7TH – FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE (Crafty Friend) exhibited a strong effort returning
to a fast main track. Set an ambitious pace on the front end and held well to
the finish. Lone win came at Aqueduct, and might be able to handle the inner
dirt course.
8TH – Seeking the Ante was a good third despite being a tad overmatched in a
Grade 2 stakes event. Finished with interest to grab the show in a swiftly run
race, her first effort in more than a month. Broke her maiden over the inner
course, and should be able to handle two turns with a little class relief.
Saturday (11/26)
2nd – FEROCIOUS WON (Lite the Fuse) finished a good third off a five-week
freshening and making first start beyond seven furlongs. Held well chasing a
fast pace only to weaken slightly late. Should move forward in second start off
the layoff. Would benefit from a cut back in distance back to six furlongs and
rating tactics.
4TH – MARITAL ASSET (A.P. Indy) was a sharp second stretching out to a mile.
Stalked a lively pace prior to gaining command in the stretch. Tired slowly late
when yielding to a fresh closer. Exits a pair of swiftly paced races, and should
improve with experience and a more deliberate pace scenario upfront.
9TH – BIG APPLE DADDY (Precise End) was compromised by modest fractions and a
lack of running room down the backstretch and around the far turn. Leveled off
nicely when finally clear in the stretch, reducing his deficit with every
stride. Has versatile running styles and likes the Inner dirt track.
Sunday (11/27)
1ST – OJIBWAY (Bugatti Reef [Ire]) had a useful comeback effort off the
layoff. Raced a bit wide chasing a fast pace and finished with interest in the
stretch in a much needed race. Should have gained beneficial conditioning from
this effort, which should set him up for a winter campaign, as he flourishes
over the Inner Dirt.
4TH – YOLIE’S CHOICE (Silver Deputy) regressed badly stretching out to a mile
off a taxing debut effort. Chased the early pace to far turn before retreating.
Will need some time to regroup from these strenuous races and would also benefit
from a return to a sprint.