AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
NOVEMBER 28, 2009
by Albie Johnson
As this short main-track meets winds down heading into the big Thanksgiving
Holiday weekend, just a single, but very interesting graded stakes was on the
menu last week.
A small field of five faced the starter in one of the oldest stakes run on
this circuit, the Discovery H. (G3) for sophomores at a distance of 1 1/8
miles.
The deserving favorite was Gone Astray (Dixie Union), who had won the
Pennsylvania Derby (G2) and Ohio Derby (G2) in his previous two starts, and
HAYNESFIELD (Speightstown), who was coming off a win in the state-bred Empire
Classic at Belmont in October, was the second choice. Throw in recent allowance winner Birdrun ( Birdstone), who
had set a track record in his previous start, and you had the ingredients of a
fine late season stakes.
The complexion of the contest changed dramatically at the start when Birdrun
went to his knees and was eliminated from the pace picture of which he was
projected to be an important player. That left Gone Astray in a poor spot as the
pace was extremely slow for the level, hurting his chances of a big finish. The
major beneficiary of the incident at the start was Haynesfield as he prompted
the pace of longshot Redding Colliery (Mineshaft) took over when asked and drew
clear for an easy 4 1/2-length win over Bad Action (Brahms), who passed Gone Astray
in the last few strides to neck him out of the place spot.
The winner had recently returned from a lengthy layoff after showing a lot of
promise around here last winter for trainer Steve Asmussen. Chestnut colt looks
bigger and better since his return and will be a force wherever his connections choose to take
him for the winter.
Earlier in the week HONOUR DEVIL (Arg) (Honour and Glory), who as a
three-year-old captured the 2008 U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2), won his first race in North
America by going wire to wire in a high-priced allowance/optional claiming
event, holding of Suburban (G2) winner Dry
Martini (Slew Gin Fizz) in the process. He’s been lightly campaigned the past 18
months and it’s good to see Honour Devil stringing starts together. He’d be a nice
addition to the older ranks around here this winter if his connections go that
“route” with him.
TRACK CONDITIONS
The main track was fast for all five programs and the turf
was “good” on Wednesday and Thursday, and “soft” on Saturday and Sunday with no
grass racing conducted on Friday.
Speed, or those racing near the front, was the predominant factor in winning
on the dirt with no bias evident as to the paths taken. The few turf races run
favored no particular style.
STATS
In the trainer’s race, Todd Pletcher has a five-win margin (12 to seven) over
a quartet of pursuers : Gary Contessa, Dave Jacobson, Mike Hushion and Mark
Hennig.
The jockeys’ standings continue to be headed by Ramon Dominguez, who has an
insurmountable margin (35 to 19) over John Velazquez.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (11/18)
4TH — Making his first start since last winter at the Fair Grounds, HAWSER
(Hussonet) finished a troubled second in this spot, beaten just a neck. With
the late Bob Frankel earlier in this season, the four-year-old started here for Kim Boniface, who
dropped him into a claimer for the first time. He had some major traffic woes
when they straightened away and was probably best.
8TH — Making her third start in North America after racing in France earlier
in her career, DENOMINATION (Smart Strike) ran a strong second in this small
overnight stakes. She pressed the lightly raced but impressive winner, West
Ocean (Elusive Quality), and never stopped trying, forcing that filly to give 100
percent
as Denomination fell a neck shy. Trainer Chris Clement will probably ship her to
Florida soon.
Thursday (11/19)
1ST — Running for the first time in just under two months, RAPID MON (Maria’s
Mon) went head and head with the eventual winner from start to finish, only
to give it up in the last sixteenth.Should win next out at this same $25K tag.
4TH — Excellent debut for GLORY IN MOTION (Pollard’s Vision) as the juvenile
filly started from a tough outside post (10 of 10) and ran first out at the
tough distance of 1 1/16 miles on the turf. State-bred broke well, attended
the early pace, bid to the front in midstretch, and was out-finished late by a
half-length. Big effort for a first time starter.
Friday (11/20)
3RD — ANOTHER SUCCESS (Successful Appeal) ran hard every step and finished a
length shy of an impressive runner from the Pletcher barn . Effort was strong
under the circumstances and he should win soon.
4TH — Racing for the first time in seven weeks and for new trainer Bruce
Levine, DESTINY ROAD (Heckle) just failed to get up, losing by a neck after a
furious late charge. Barn has this one sitting on her maiden win next out.
Saturday (11/21)
1ST — The lightly raced CIRES (Teton Forest) ran a winning race on any other
day at this $25K level, but had the misfortune to run into a runner who is razor
sharp at this point. Gelding will find a field soon that he can dominate.
Sunday (11/22)
4TH — Useful debut by ALYS (Dixie Union) as the juvenile filly chased the pace while wide,
attempted to bid turning for home, and held her position late while no match for
the top pair. The $275,000 yearling purchase should be a win factor next out with
any move forward.
Upcoming Stakes
Sat: Cigar Mile H. (G1), three & up, one mile
Gazelle (G1), three-year-old fillies, 1 1/8 miles
Demoiselle (G2), two-year-old fillies, 1 1/8 miles
Remsen (G2), two-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles
Have a Nice Week!!