AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
NOVEMBER 2, 2006
by Bernard T. Moore
Trainer Todd Pletcher picked up right where he left off at the recently
concluded Belmont Park meet when he saddled ROMAN DYNASTY (Theatrical [Ire]) to
win the Discovery H. (G3) on the opening day at Aqueduct.
Ridden by jockey John Velazquez, Roman Dynasty rallied smartly around the
turn to engage the front runners, and then finished strongly in the lane outgame
a stubborn On Board Again (Awesome Again) for the half-length victory. The
runner-up also raced a bit wide around the far turn as he attempted to improve
his position. On Board Again sustained his rally into the stretch, but was
unable to match strides with the winner late in a sharp effort. Valid Notebook
(Notebook) stalked the early pace before seizing command at the six-furlong
mark. He fought for the lead along the inside until midstretch when he began to
weaken under pressure. He was forced to steady when On Board Again drifted in
slightly, and ultimately finished third. There was a stewards’ inquiry and a
objection by jockey Edgar Prado aboard Valid Notebook against the second-place
finisher for interference in the stretch run, but the original order of finish
was allowed to stand.
We didn’t have to wait too long before we endured the first cancellation of
racing at Aqueduct. An onslaught of wind and rain pelted the New York
metropolitan area Friday night into Saturday morning, causing NYRA management to
cancel live racing and simulcasting on Saturday. Both stakes contests which were
originally intended to be run on Saturday, the First Flight H. (G2) and the
Sport Page H. (G3), have been rescheduled for this Saturday. As a result, five
graded stakes events are to be run on Breeders’ Cup Day at Aqueduct. The
additional graded stakes events are the Knickerbocker H. (G3), the Long Island
H. (G2) and the Turnback the Alarm H. (G3).
First post for the Saturday card will be 11:35 a.m.
Racing resumed on Sunday at Aqueduct. However, after the running of the first
race, the remainder of the Sunday card was scrapped due to high winds and unsafe
track conditions. Both stakes contests that were planned for Sunday will be
contested on Friday.
Eibar Coa is off to a fast start at the meet, and sits atop the jockey
standings, with Mike Luzzi in second-place. There is a seven-way deadheat for
the third spot.
Gary Contessa leads all trainers, having saddled two winners at the young
meet. There is a plethora of trainers with one victory each.
The main track was biased towards early speed on Wednesday, Opening Day, but
appeared to played normally on Thursday and Friday. The inside paths were
definitely preferable on Wednesday, but the track seemed to even out when racing
returned on Thursday, and remained that way on Friday as well. No particular
running style held an edge on turf.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (10/25)
5TH – BOLD DECISION (Precise End) turned in an improved effort with the hood
removed. Held well chasing the early pace over an inside speed favoring track.
Definitely would benefit from some class relief in subsequent starts.
7TH – GREEN LEMON (Lemon Drop Kid) was compromised by pedestrian fractions
off the layoff, which left him unable to make an impact in a race that quickened
noticeably late. Needs only a livelier pace scenario for a more typical effort
Thursday (10/26)
5TH – WISDOM AND LUCK (Aristotle) was unfortunately disqualified from the win
in her well bet/well meant career debut. Disputed a lively pace for the class
level. Drew clear in the stretch, but drifted out to shut off another rival in
deep stretch. Definitely fits well in a state-bred maiden claimer.
9TH – VISUAL CANDY (Woodman) recorded an encouraging third-place finish
stretching out to 1 1/16 miles. Put in a wide run around the far turn, but
failed to sustain that rally in a swiftly run contest. Has room to improve off
her initial route effort.
Friday (10/27)
3RD – FIRST WORD (Chester House) offered an improved effort with the hood off
and returning to a dry track. Finished with good energy to get the place despite
a modest pace. Appears that he will be at his best at seven furlongs and beyond.
6TH – PRETTY PARTISAN (Badge) was ambitiously spotted off the Araya claim.
Held well disputing the pace until midstretch before tiring. Would definitely
benefit from a class drop in future efforts.