AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
MAY 1, 2008
by Bernard T. Moore
The 2008 Belmont Park spring-summer begins Wednesday, serving to awaken many
horseplayers who fancy New York racing from their extended winter doldrums. As
usual, racing will be held on a Wednesday through Sunday basis, with the final
day of racing scheduled for July 20.
The focal point of the meet occurs on June 7 when the Belmont S. (G1), the
third and final leg of the Triple Crown, will be held. In addition to the
Belmont, NYRA will also showcase three other Grade 1 races on the Belmont Stakes
undercard. This meet promises to offer an abundance of competitive races, with
plenty of grass contests in addition to the emergence of two-year-old races.
Undefeated in both starts thus far, HARLEM ROCKER (Macho Uno) kept his
unblemished record intact with a decisive 2 1/2-length triumph in Withers S.
(G3) on Saturday. Predictably, J Be K (Silver Deputy) darted to the lead to
dictate the early fractions with Double or Nothing (Double Honor) stalking him
in second as the ultimate winner bided his time in third after a quarter mile. J
Be K managed to hold onto the lead into the stretch as Double or Nothing began
to weaken under pressure shortly thereafter. At this juncture, Harlem Rocker was
coming in earnest with his run, and loomed a dangerous presence while racing
outside of rivals. Despite a moderate early pace, J Be K could not contain
Harlem Rocker’s late rally, relinquishing the lead to the him nearing the
furlong grounds. Harlem Rocker then powered his way clear en route to
registering his initial graded stakes victory. J Be K was a clear second, with
Double or Nothing finishing a distant third.
CRIMINOLOGIST (Maria’s Mon), whose four-race winning streak was snapped
earlier this month at Keeneland, got back on track with a hard-fought victory in
the Beaugay H. (G3), which was run later in the day. With jockey John Velazquez
in the saddle once again, the Shug McGaughey-trained runner made a solid run
leaving the far turn to reach contention. She was able to sustain that rally
into the stretch, collaring All is Vanity (Fr) (Gold Away [Ire]) in the final
furlong and then slowly inching away from that rival to score by a half-length.
All is Vanity, making the jump back into graded stakes competition, was a solid
second over Factual Contender (Thunder Puddles), who shadowed the pacesetter
throughout but failed to improve her position in the stretch.
The closing day feature at Aqueduct on Sunday was the Fort Marcy H. (G2) at 1
1/16 miles on the grass. SILVER TREE (Hennessy) returned to New York and his
winning ways, recording a popular victory as the 2-1 favorite. Ridden by jockey
Edgar Prado, Silver Tree dueled the front-running Buddy’s Humor (Distorted
Humor) into defeat shortly after entering the stretch, and then gradually edged
away to be clear by 1 1/2 lengths at the wire. Operation Red Dawn (Miswaki),
allowed to settle into stride down the backstretch, closed belatedly to take
down the place. Twilight Meteor (Smart Strike), always within striking distance
of the pacesetters while racing toward the inside, could not quicken when called
upon and finished third. Wood Be Willing (Pulpit) ran on late to get fourth,
with Buddy’s Humor tiring to finish sixth.
For the final week of the Aqueduct meet, the main track was speed-oriented to
varying degrees all week. All paths played uniformly, and there were no
discernible biases on the turf course.
Alan Garcia was leading rider at the recently concluded Aqueduct main track
meet. Rajiv Maragh finished second, with Cornelio Velasquez completing the top
three. As far as leading trainer, Gary Contessa edged out Bruce Levine by
saddling one more winner, despite Levine sending out 61 fewer runners. Richard
Dutrow Jr. finished third.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (4/23)
1ST – CADET BLUE (Mr. Greeley) was a sharp second off the layoff. The
chestnut dictated the early pace, and held on grimly when challenged for the
lead in a swiftly run contest. He should fare well vs. limited winners at
Belmont.
7TH – BANROCK (Go For Gin) raced evenly to finish third off a long layoff.
The five-year-old failed to quicken when called upon in the stretch in a race he
obviously needed, and should move forward in his next start.
Thursday (4/24)
3RD – RICARDO A (Out of Place) carried his speed much farther in first start
off the Contessa claim. The bay held well to finish third in a much improved
showing and won at a higher level for these connections in 2007 at Belmont while
employing rating tactics.
7TH – NEDJMA (Royal Academy) offered a late rally while racing wide off a
freshening, just missing in a useful comeback effort. All three of her career
wins have come at Belmont Park.
Friday (4/25)
4TH – DOWNTOWN HAMILL (Running Stag) closed strongly despite modest fractions
on the drop to win drawing away late in fast time. The bay four-year-old
certainly appears capable of handling limited winners and/or more distance in
subsequent starts.
6TH – BOURBON STREET (Dixie Union) gave way readily chasing a lively pace
around two turns, reporting home a badly-beaten fifth. The sophomore lass would
benefit greatly if dropped into a maiden claimer over a middle distance of
ground.
8TH – AUGUST REX (Smoke Glacken) held well chasing a superior speed rival in
his initial start against winners. The bay’s ability to stalk the pace and
finish should serve him well going forward.
Saturday (4/26)
2ND – SIXTHIRTEEN (Dixie Union) held remarkably well carving out fast
fractions off a long layoff. The four-year-old managed to save second once
displaced on the front end in a very quick race.
3RD – J Be K continues to give every impression that he is at his best
sprinting. Despite benefiting from a pedestrian early pace, he failed to hold on
to a daylight lead stretching out to a flat mile and will probably be cutback in
distance for his next start.
Sunday (4/27)
3RD – JOAQUIN MEMPHIS (Chester House) outran his 15-1 post-time odds chasing
a loose wire-to-wire winner while finishing third. He appears to be at his best
when able to clear the field early on when competing at middle distances.
8TH – Wood Be Willing showed improvement switching to grass despite racing
over his head and breaking a bit slowly. He was forced to overcome soft
fractions to finish well between runners to get fourth money and would obviously
benefit from some class relief and more distance, as well.