AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
APRIL 3, 2008
by Bernard T. Moore
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin saddled three horses in last Saturday’s Next Move
H. (G3). Therefore, the odds were definitely in his favor that he would be the
winning trainer of the final stakes contest of the 2007-2008 Aqueduct inner dirt
season.
Despite being idle since December 15, WOW ME FREE (Menifee) closed stoutly in
the final furlong to win the Next Move going away for McLaughlin, completing the
nine furlongs in a very respectable 1:50 4/5. With jockey Alan Garcia at the
helm once again, Wow Me Free settled off the early pace as Wild Hoots
(Unbridled’s Song) and Runway Rosie (Include) showed the way down the
backstretch. Wow Me Free eventually found her best stride leaving the far turn
and subsequently drew alongside the early pacesetters passing the furlong
grounds. At this juncture Wow Me Free was now in high gear, and she proceeded to
rapidly draw clear from the competition en route to a decisive 3 1/2-length
victory. Runway Rosie acquitted herself quite well in defeat, holding on to save
the place while no match for the winner. Wild Hoots, who is also trained by
McLaughlin, tired to finish third. Stage Luck (Unbridled’s Song) raced in
perfect striking position throughout, but lacked the necessary response to
improve her position when called upon and checked in fourth.
Gary Contessa waltzed away with the inner dirt training title once again,
with Bruce Levine finishing a distant, but respectable, second. McLaughlin
rounded out the top three. It wasn’t much of a contest for leading rider honors
either, with Ramon Dominguez finishing a furlong ahead of his counterparts.
Rajiv Maragh surprisingly edged out New York-mainstay Alan Garcia for second
place in the jockey standings. This was Maragh’s first winter at Aqueduct, and
he certainly impressed handicappers and horseman alike with his strong finishing
style and overall ability.
Racing will shift to the main track this week, and turf racing is slated to
make its return on Saturday as well. The highlight of the first Saturday card of
the meet is the Wood Memorial (G1) for three-year-olds preparing for the
Kentucky Derby (G1). The supporting feature is the Carter H. (G1) at seven
furlongs, with the Bay Shore S. (G3) and Excelsior H. (G3) to be run on the card
as well.
Front runners and early-speed types dominated the results on Wednesday, and
that bias remained intact to a lesser degree thru Friday. Over the weekend, the
inner dirt track played evenly.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (3/26)
1ST – LA DAINIAN (Wild Rush) ran a strong second off the Anthony Dutrow
claim. He finished with good energy late to chase home a perfect trip winner,
and both of his career wins have come around one turn.
4TH – CASH RICH (Orientate) was clearly a tad short returning from a
prolonged layoff. The gelding disputed a very quick pace and understandably
tired late. He remains eligible to compete against limited winners, and might
prefer rating tactics.
Thursday (3/27)
2ND – SULTRY KATRINA (Decarchy) effortlessly handled a field of maiden
claimers in a fast time with the addition of blinkers. She won with something
left, and can win right back if properly spotted vs. limited winners over the
main track.
6TH – ONIYOME (Gilded Time) closed well to finish second in her career debut.
The bay lass was compromised by a bit of a slow start and a speed-favoring track
in an encouraging showing. She should have derived beneficial conditioning and
experience from this effort.
Friday (3/28)
2ND – SUZEE SUNRISE (Chester House) tired in deep stretch after amassing a
sizeable daylight lead around the far turn. She probably would have won with
better rating, and might get a rider change in her next start.
3RD – DIVINE PARK (Chester House) easily defeated a field of allowance
runners in fast time on the drop. A Grade 3 winner, he appears poised to
recapture his sparkling three-year-old form, and seems best suited to middle
distances.
Saturday (3/29)
2ND – WOOD WINNER (Prime Timber) has run well despite racing over his head
since claimed by his current connections. He offered a much-improved third-place
finish despite very pedestrian fractions in this one, and would certainly
benefit from some much-needed class relief and probably a middle distance of
ground.
6TH – TAX MAN (Broad Brush) continues to show improvement for trainer Jimmy
Jerkens, dispensing a sharp second-place finish while stretching out and adding
Lasix. The sophomore held extremely well attending the early pace dictated by a
wire-to-wire odds-on winning favorite and is bred on both sides of his pedigree
for a route of ground.
Sunday (3/30)
1ST – TY’S RIDGE (Quaker Ridge) definitely would have won had he not hampered
his rider by lugging in repeatedly during the stretch run. He is expected to
move forward in his second start off a six-week freshening.
7TH – STOLEN TIME (Time Bandit) understandably tired setting a very fast pace
on the drop for trainer Bruce Levine. He tired slowly once displaced on the
front end, finishing a creditable fourth, and will make his next start for
trainer Scott Volk off the claim.