AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 5, 2010
by Albie Johnson
Time for a bit of a recap of action around here beginning on January 20 and
ending on Sunday, with several days of the annual winter break sandwiched
in-between.
The Paumonock S., which for many years was the opening day feature in the
spring following the end of racing in December, was contested on Saturday,
January 23. The six-panel sprint attracted a half-dozen runners, headed by Driven By
Success (Precise End) and WALL STREET WONDER (City Place). As with many of the
races over the past two weeks, this one was over at the start when Wall Street
Wonder out-broke his main rival, quickly established the rail, and after putting
away a mild bid halfway through the turn was able to coast home by 8 1/2 lengths
over Mt. Glittermore (Orientate), who had a length on Shoptate (Orientate) while
“Success” checked home fifth while not under much pressure in the last furlong.
Winning colt was stakes-placed on the West Coast synthetic tracks while in the
Bob Baffert
barn and was winning his second in a row since coming east and joining up with
trainer J.P. Terranova.
Fast forwarding to last Saturday, five older fillies and mares went to the post
in the Correction S. And, as with the Paumonock, there was little drama involved
as the heavy favorite and lone speed HOLD THAT PROSPECT (Hold That Tiger) broke
running and was allowed to set pedestrian fractions :23.58 and :46.73. After
that, it was
only a question of how much she would win by. The answer was 7 1/2 lengths with a
three-horse-photo for the place going to Heaven’s Voice (Lion Hearted), who had a
nose on Fascinatin’ Rhythm (More Than Ready) with What Time It Is (Partner’s
Hero) another head back in fourth.
Trainer Gary Gullo, who had a solid year on this circuit in ’09, saddled the
winning mare and Jorge Chavez, who only had to make sure she had a clean break, was the winning rider.
As a note concerning this card, racing was cancelled right after the running
of the Correction due to intense cold.
The following day, the last one in January, the Coyote Lakes S., a 13-furlong
marathon run exactly a month after the Gallant Fox S., was held. The distance was the same
as the Gallant Fox and so was the result, with a pair of Todd
Pletcher-trained runners , TIGER’S ROCK (Giant’s Causeway) and Nite Light
(Thunder Gulch), reporting home 1-2 as they did a month earlier. As in the
previous race, Nite Light turned into the stretch with the lead but was unable
to hold off his younger rival.
Winning colt is very lightly raced and is now two for two on conventional
dirt. Believe that they’ll send him elsewhere (Gulfstream?) just to see how
he’ll fare against some better quality stock.
Track Conditions
Fast on all eight days of racing with a pronounced inside bias on Friday the
29th through Sunday the 31st, with that day’s inside advantage the strongest of
the whole meet.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday(1/20)
4TH — RAZZLEMEDAZZLEME (French Envoy) sprinted to the lead from her outside
post but was unable to hold off a filly from the Kiaran McLaughlin barn that was
dropping down from a maiden special. Next time at this $35-$25K tag.
8TH — The lightly raced REREADTHEFOOTNOTES (Read the Footnotes) proved one
again that when “right” he’s capable of a very big effort. Gelding has his share
of woes by witness of his many layoff lines, but he sprinted clear early
from his inside post and increased his margin at every pole to report home by
six lengths in this first-level allowance. May try a stakes sometime soon.
9TH — Making only his second start since July 2008, HEAVENLY PURSUIT (Read
the Footnotes) had a very wide trip and did well to finish a close-up third with a
strong late rally. Would seem on the verge of winning soon.
Thursday (1/21)
6TH — Making his first start vs. winners, THOUSAND EXCUSES (Millennium Wind)
had no choice but to swing five or six paths wide late through the final turn before
flattening out in the last eighth. An inside post, like he had in his maiden win
in his previous start, may
be all he needs
Friday (1/22)
2ND — Making a belated debut, WICKED DIVA (Jump Start) trailed early and put
in a strong late rally to finish secod. Heavily bet in this spot, the $125,000 sales
yearling shouldn’t be long in breaking her maiden.
8TH — Racing first off a Tim Hills claim and first start outside of
Florida, CRUZIN WITH CASH (Langfuhr) put in a strong late rally in this
starter-allowance to finish second, beaten just under a length. Nice initial effort
on this surface.
Saturday (1/23)
2ND — Making his career debut, DUKE OF NAPLES (Empire Maker) bid while
three-wide before finishing a distant third to a much-the-best top pair who were
involved in a virtual “match race.” State-bred colt was a $210,000 Keeneland
sales yearling and was debuting for a trainer (Bruce Levine) who likes to “give
them one.” Look for major improvement next out.
Sunday (1/24)
7TH — Favored in this first-level allowance for state-bred fillies and
mares, PRETTY COZY (Broken Vow) was bumped and forced to check at the break and
did well to finish fourth. Large filly may enjoy going two turns in her future.
Sunday (1/31)
4TH — AWESOME BULL (Holy Bull) impressed in her maiden win in this spot. She
quickly sprinted clear despite a stumbling break and was never asked to do much
other than keep a straight course as she reported home by seven lengths. State-bred
may go right into a stakes off of this effort.
Upcoming stakes
No graded events are scheduled until March, but we’ll continue to report on
any and all races that we deem of interest.
Have a nice week!