Aqueduct H.

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday’s 87th running of the $100,000 Aqueduct H. (G3) features a field of eight,
including the 2002 winner, EVENING ATTIRE (Black Tie Affair [Ire]). The
eight-year-old gelding can still compete at this level, winning the Stuyvesant
H. (G3) only two starts back, but we’ll make a case for a horse heading in a
different direction at this point in his career.

HAPPY HUNTING (Seeking the Gold) didn’t make his career bow until June and
Saturday marks his stakes debut. The first foal from Grade 1 winner Furlough
(Easy Goer), who is out of the tremendous mare Blitey (Riva Ridge), the five-year-old’s
racing career was delayed by injury and he dropped his first three starts this
summer. Trainer Shug McGaughey added blinkers for his fourth attempt, and Happy
Hunting responded with four wins in his next five outings, the lone setback
coming at six furlongs behind Gaff (Maria’s Mon) and War Front (Danzig), who
showed their class finishing one-two in the Mr. Prospector S. (G3) earlier this
month.

Happy Hunting stretched out to two turns for the first time in his last
effort, an allowance/optional-claiming event over the inner track, and sat close
to the pace before pouncing on the far turn en route to an easy decision. He’s
been freshened off that appearance, recording four works at Gulfstream in the
interim, and has earned a triple-digit BRIS Speed rating. The chestnut, who has
only been racing about seven months, owns plenty of room for improvement and we
like the way he’s been judiciously handled by his Hall of Fame conditioner.
Happy Hunting has plenty of tactical speed and figures to receive a perfect
stalking trip from his inside. The next step in his development will be a stakes
victory.

COLITA (Grindstone) will be tough to handle if he runs back to his last race,
a smashing 1 1/4-length victory in mid-December that netted a 108 Speed rating.
He didn’t perform well in his first four attempts last season but reportedly
underwent throat surgery, which appears to have turned things around for the
Todd Pletcher trainee. The six-year-old has shown an affinity for the inner
track (three wins) and will enter Saturday’s race in excellent form. We’ll look
for him to offer another strong rally.

Evening Attire is in the twilight of his career but can still finish,
recording triple-digit Late Pace ratings in each of his last three starts. The
Pat Kelly charge hasn’t been breaking well from the gate and the slow start
really cost him last time when fourth, beaten only 2 1/4 lengths, in the Queens
County H. (G3). The gray veteran is easy to root for, but we’ll use him only on
the bottom of the exotics.

MR. WHITESTONE (Dance Brightly) has earned century-topping Speed ratings in
three of his last four starts and his early speed could be dangerous in this
spot. Despite competing mostly at shorter distances, the six-year-old gelding
has had some success around two turns, including his runner-up finish to Colita
last out, and he owns a commendable 2-2-1 mark from five starts over the inner
track. Mr. Whitestone merits serious consideration for the top three.

KNOX (Menifee) turned in a sharp performance last time and appears to have
taken to the inner track in his last two starts. The Gary Contessa trainee did
draw the far outside and will be stepping up in class off his last start, but he
could grab a share with another positive effort. SINISTER G (Matty G) could add
to the pace but probably needs an easier spot to be competitive.

SPITE THE DEVIL (Devil His Due) brings dull form into this race and is
winless from five attempts on the inner track. BROAD ACRES (Quiet American)
doesn’t look fast enough to compete at this level.