AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
NOVEMBER 23, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
Aqueduct will card its traditional HolidayFest of racing once again this
week. As a result, there will be slight variations in post times beginning on
Thursday. First race post time on Thanksgiving Day has been pushed back to 11:25
a.m. (EST). On Friday and Saturday, live racing gets underway at 12:25 p.m.,
with the 1ST race post returning to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. NYRA will present five
graded stakes over the weekend as it concludes racing over the main track. The
action switches to its inner dirt course next Wednesday.
Saturday’s card features the Cigar Mile H. (G1), Remsen S. (G2) and
Demoiselle S.(G2). The Thanksgiving Day program showcases the Fall Highweight
H., and the Top Flight H. (G2) takes place Friday.
The fact that this year’s renewal of the Stuyvesant H. (G3) at Aqueduct did
not generate what could be called a stellar field played right into the hands of
EVENING ATTIRE (Black Tie Affair [Ire]). The seven-year-old gelding, who has
fallen upon hard times of late, annexed his first victory since 2004 when he
out-finished West Virginia (Tomorrows Cat) to register a hard-fought neck
victory.
Stalking a pedestrian pace down the backstretch, Evening Attire raced much
closer to the front end than recent efforts. He was maneuvered off the inside
for a stretch run and finished with good energy late to emerge victorious under
new jockey Jose Santos. West Virginia sat a perfect stalking trip and appeared
on his way to victory when set down for the stretch drive. However, he has a
tendency to hang and appeared to do so once again, but he managed to continue on
well in deep stretch to finish a good second.
Aggadan (Carnivalay) inherited the lead once Kennel Up (Joyeux Danseur) was
virtually eliminated with an awkward start . The 2-1 favorite dictated a very
deliberate pace, but still was unable to fend off bids from the top two
finishers, giving ground grudgingly late to finish third. As for Kennel Up, he
leapt into the air once the gates opened. He was forced to take a position at
the back of the pack as a result, racing behind very slow fractions. The
fourth-place finisher did improve his position late, but was never a serious
threat while obviously severely compromised.
Things did not start out all that well for MIRACULOUS MISS (Mr. Greeley) in
the Valley Stream S. (G3) at Aqueduct on Sunday as the Steve Klesaris-trained
runner took a right hand turn leaving the starting gate. Due to this awkward
beginning, Miraculous Miss found herself more then 10 lengths behind the leaders
after an alarmingly fast quarter mile in :21.75. On the other hand, the hot and
contentious pace worked to her advantage as she closed smartly in the stretch to
win by two lengths under only modest encouragement late.
India (Hennessy), the odds-on favorite, was hounded virtually every step of
the way by Princess Sweet (Precise End) as she carved out a torrid pace. The
pair ultimately paid the price for their early exploits, as the winner and
eventual runner-up, Diamond Spirit (Holy Bull), passed the softened up front
runners in deep stretch. India was able to hold on for third with Princess Sweet
checking in fourth. Sleeping (Forest Camp) flashed speed to the far turn before
retreating and finishing last.
Edgar Prado maintained his lead over John Velasquez in the jockey standings
last week, with Cornelio Velasquez holding onto third place. Channing Hill,
Javier Castellano and Pablo Morales are tied for the fourth spot.
Todd Pletcher and Richard Dutrow Jr. are dead-locked for first place in the
trainer standings, with Mike Hushion and Bruce Levine tied for third on the
list.
Early speed was beneficial to begin the week over the main track on
Wednesday. The track seemed to play uniformly Thursday though Saturday, with
speed doing well in sprints on Sunday.
The grass course played fairly when in use.
There did not appear to be any path biases worthy of mention all week.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (11/16)
8TH – CONGRESSIONAL RUN (Cherokee Run) was forced to chase another swift pace
in his second start off the layoff. Tired in the stretch while stretching out to
a mile. May be set for a top effort in his third effort off the shelf,
especially if faced with a more deliberate pace up front.
9TH – KID HENDRIX (Lemon Drop Kid) was allowed to drop too far behind a
modest pace over a speed conducive course. Improved his position late without
threatening the top two finishers. Needs a livelier pace scenario to be at his
best.
Thursday (11/17)
1ST – BUSH’S SONG (Unbridled’s Song) turned in a much improved effort
switching to Aqueduct. Held well to get the place while tracking a dropdown
wire-to-winner throughout. Could be primed for a winning effort in her third
start off a prolonged layoff.
7TH – DINA (Dynaformer) showed a dramatic form reversal on dry dirt while
adding blinkers off the bench. Closed well to finish second chasing home the
odds-on winning favorite. Can continue forward level of progression, especially
over a fast track, as her dam was stakes placed multiple times over the main
track.
8TH – WHITE SOCKS (Belong to Me) suffered a brutal trip in comeback effort.
Sandwiched between runners shortly after the start and tentatively handled while
trying to get position thereafter. Maneuvered outside runners approaching the
far turn, he subsequently made a three-wide bid to get the lead in the stretch
and weakened under pressure late, as the tough trip and the rustiness began to
take its toll. He was probably best.
Friday (11/18)
2ND – MAJOR JONATHAN (Major Jonathan) continues to improve off the Scott Lake
claim despite being compromised by an awkward start in latest. Dispensed a good
move to reach contention, but was no match for the even-money winning favorite
while clearly second best. Bred to improve with age and distance.
8TH – TRICK MEETING (Phone Trick) finished a good third in his initial effort
beyond seven furlongs. Forced to chase a superior speed rival who set a fast
pace and went on to wire the field. May prefer to sit and make one run. Hails
from a sprint family and might be most effective at shorter distances.
Saturday (11/19)
6TH – EXCLUSIVE QUALITY (Elusive Quality) raced a bit lethargically early in
his well bet/well meant career debut. Finished well to get the place in a
swiftly run abbreviated sprint. This $850,000 yearling purchase is from a strong
win early sire and shouldn’t be a maiden much longer.
7TH – HALF HEAVEN (Regal Classic) raced “bottled up” toward the inside when
caught behind runners most of the way. Leveled off nicely when clear in the
stretch and just missed overhauling a perfect stalking trip winner late.
8TH – Kennel Up went into the air at the break, effectively costing him any
chance of victory. At his best on or near the lead, he deserves another chance
at this level.
Sunday (11/20)
2nd – GIMME THAT WINE (High Yield) set a very enterprising and pressured pace
only to give ground grudgingly in the stretch. Appears better to suited to
sprints.
8TH – India was dueled into defeat dictating a fast and contested pace in a
much improved comeback effort. Won the pace battle but lost the war to a couple
of fresh closers. Should have derived beneficial conditioning from this effort
and remains eligible for a preliminary allowance contest.