AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
JANUARY 31, 2008
by Bernard T. Moore
Heading into the Paumonok H. last Saturday, LORD SNOWDON (Seeking the Gold)
had failed to win in four races over the inner dirt track, although he had come
close on several occasions. It appeared that streak would remain intact as he
trailed the field racing down the backstretch. However, upon leaving the far
turn, the Tony Dutrow-trained gelding suddenly kicked into gear under jockey
Ramon Dominguez and began cutting into his deficit with every stride upon
turning into the stretch. He continued to close resolutely in the final yards,
overhauling an ultra-game Man of Danger (Tiger Ridge) as he registered his
initial stakes triumph by a length. Man of Danger was extremely courageous in
defeat, holding on to second after setting a pestered pace from the start.
Debussy (Concerto) pressed the pacesetter throughout, but was unable quicken
when called upon, and had to settle for third. City Attraction (Vicar), bet down
to 2-1 favoritism, showed speed until the far turn and subsequently gave way,
finishing last in a disappointing effort.
Trainer Richard Schosberg elected to revert to stalking tactics in the
Turnofthecentury S. with RUN WITH THE LARK (Runaway Groom). As it turns out, it
was just what the doctor ordered as Run With the Lark emerged victorious by 2
3/4 decisive lengths. R Clear Victory (Victory Gallop) cut out enterprising
fractions as the Albert Fried Jr. homebred bided his time under jockey Norberto
Arroyo Jr. while racing in second. Run With the Lark went after the pacesetter
in earnest in upper stretch, overpowering that rival passing the eighth pole and
then drawing away en route to a convincing victory. R Clear Victory saved the
place, with Platinum Couple (Tale of the Cat) outlasting the others for the
show. Favored Run Red Run (Afternoon Deelites), pounded down to odds of 3-5 in
the betting, appeared to race without incident, and finished fourth in a dull
effort.
In stark contrast to recent weeks, the inner dirt track played evenly from
Thursday on, with no discernible biases.
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (1/24)
6TH – THE SCOUSER (Swept Overboard) offered a much-improved effort around two
turns while adding blinkers. He dueled for the lead while contesting fast
factions, and then held reasonably well behind a runaway winner. This lightly
raced four-year-old looks to have found a home vs. $16,000 maiden claimers.
9TH – NO HALO ON ME (Halo’s Image) was pounded down to even-money favoritism.
Unfortunately, a wide trip while chasing slow fractions compromised his chances,
and he could do no better than second. The Tampa Bay shipper should benefit from
his initial effort around two turns for new trainer Gary Contessa after being
claimed here.
Friday (1/25)
1ST – BALLYMIST (Mt. Livermore) finished a good third while switching to
jockey Mike Luzzi. He rationed her speed more judiciously, and she held well
until midstretch. The chestnut miss appears ready to register her initial
victory for trainer Greg Diprima.
5TH – BAVARIAN BARON (Summer Squall) would have been closer had he been able
to secure racing room down the backstretch. Finally leveled off when clear in
the stretch, the bay reduced his deficit noticeably behind a perfect-trip,
daylight winner.
8TH – KENTA KUN (Demidoff) closed willingly to finish second off the Joe
Imperio-claim in a good effort. He continues to demonstrate his affinity for the
inner dirt, and could get back on the winning track with a little class relief
in his next start.
Saturday (1/26)
4TH – GOLD DEPUTY (Precise End) exhibited noticeable improvement in his
second career start with a clean getaway. He demonstrated surprise speed to
chase the early pace while wide, and continued to show good energy in the
stretch in a race that was quick for the class level. A May foal, he might
actually be best around two turns with more experience.
5TH – NORTHERN BUSTER (Northern Trend) won the pace battle, but lost the war
to a pair of fresh closers. He disputed fast fractions before opening a daylight
lead in the stretch, then proceeded to give ground grudgingly in the final
yards, finishing third by only a neck. The chestnut possesses dangerous speed,
especially with a cutback in distance to one mile.
Sunday (1/27)
5TH – LAST TRAIN BABE (West Acre) appeared to be a tad short off a five-week
rest while meeting winners for the first time. He made a good move into a lively
pace to get the lead around the far turn, weakening under pressure to finish
third in a creditable showing. The bay should have derived beneficial
conditioning from this contest.
7TH – NEW YORK CITI (Citidancer) closed well from off-the-pace to take down
the show. The dark bay miss rallied belatedly in the stretch in a more
characteristic effort, and I expect to see her closer to the front end in future
starts.