AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
JANUARY 24, 2006
by Bernard T. Moore
In Saturday’s feature, the Aqueduct H. (G3) for three-year-olds and up going
1 1/16 miles, HAPPY HUNTING (Seeking the Gold) proving to be a punctual winning
favorite. Breaking from the rail, Happy Hunting sat a perfect stalking trip off
the early front runner. He subsequently dueled that rival into defeat in deep
stretch and then withstood a belated rally from an unlucky Evening Attire (Black
Tie Affair [Ire]) to score by a length.
The runner-up stood virtually motionless in his stall after the starting
gates opened. He needed to be coaxed into leaving the barrier, and when finally
doing so, had spotted the field a significant head start and valuable position
as well. He continued to race lethargically down the backstretch, and when he
finally commenced a rally on the far turn, lost significant ground and remained
wide as he closed in on the leaders in the stretch run. Evening Attire managed
to finish with interest late and his antics at the starting gate spelled the
difference between victory and defeat once again.
Mr. Whitestone (Dance Brightly) carved out the early pace under Chuck Lopez,
and tired slowly in deep stretch to finish third. Colita (Grindstone), also well
supported in the betting at odds of 3-1, offered only a mild response around the
far turn and then failed to respond when called upon for more run and while
finishing fourth.
DAYTIME PROMISE (Five Star Day), who impressively defeated an overmatched
field of maiden special weight rivals with the addition of Lasix in her most
recent start, demonstrated that effort was no fluke as she annexed the Busanda
S. on Sunday in her first race against winners. Enjoying a ground saving trip
off a pedestrian pace, the 3-5 favorite was angled outside of rivals by jockey
Norberto Arroyo Jr. to begin her rally in earnest. She then proceeded to sustain
her closing kick into the stretch, which enabled her to draw clear of her
closest rival by 1 1/4 lengths in deep stretch.
Last Romance (Wild Rush) enjoyed a perfect stalking trip off leisurely
fractions down the backstretch, but proved to be no match for the winner in the
lane despite a speed conducive track and a flattering pace scenario. Mississippi
Madam (Smoke Glacken) immediately set up shop on the lead, but failed to
maintain that advantage in the stretch as the race quickened and took down the
show.
Mike Luzzi continues to sit atop the jockey standings, with Eibar Coa just
two victories behind in second. Channing Hill, John Velazquez and Kyle Kaenel
round out the top five.
Todd Pletcher boasts a four-win edge over his nearest rival, Richard Dutrow
Jr., in the race for leading trainer. Gary Contessa and Bruce Levine are in
third and fourth, respectively, with Mike Hushion and Allen Jerkens tied for
fifth.
On Thursday, speed did extremely well over the main track with the inner
track playing bit more uniformly on Friday. The speed bias returned on Saturday
and was still evident on Sunday.
The inside paths appeared preferable on Thursday.
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (1/19)
3RD – WE’VE GOT A CHANCE (American Chance) had little chance of running down
a loose wire-to-wire winner who stole the race over a speed biased track. She is
at her best racing closer to the front end and would profit by being dropped
back down to the 25,000 claiming level, which is the level from which she was
claimed.
6TH – LIMERO (Arg) (Ride the Rails) turned in a useful third-place finish off
a Dutrow reclaim. Finished with good energy late, narrowly missing the place
despite a rather modest early pace. Needs a livelier pace scenario to produce
his best effort.
Friday (1/20)
2ND – SYDNEY’S EMERALD (Cloud Hopping) finished a creditable second while
dropping back in for a selling price. Raced “bottled up” toward the inside
behind the early pacesetters and finished willingly while finally clear in the
stretch. Has room for further improvement off this effort.
3RD – RED DAMASK (Awesome Again) showed a dramatic reversal in form in his
two-turn debut. Exhibited surprise early speed to chase the early pace and held
well for second in a race that finished up well late. Should have derived
beneficial conditioning/experience from her initial route effort.
Saturday (1/21)
3RD – PRINCE RAFFIE (Raffie’s Majesty) was good third in his first attempt
vs. winners. Held well attending the pace from the outset in a swiftly run
contest, only to yield the place in the final yards.
6TH – JOHNNY SPREADSHEET (Carson City) changed tactics and continued on well
while chasing the pace from an outside post. Clearly second best returning off a
freshening, he appears poised to register his first career victory.
Sunday (1/22)
7TH – PHYLLIS SASSY GIRL (Concerto) closed well for the place despite a less
than perfect setup. Finished with good energy racing a bit wide vs. a modest
pace over a speed favoring track. Loves the inner dirt track and might benefit
from more distance.
9TH – OUR FRIEND TIMMY (Stephen Got Even) exhibited much improved speed
adding blinkers. Chased a loose front runner over a speed-biased course and held
well despite being interfered with by a riderless horse.