AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
APRIL 28, 2011
by John Mucciolo
A rising sophomore prospect impressed in the lone graded race during closing
week at Aqueduct.
Jerome S. (G2): Trainer Stanley Hough et al’s ADIOS CHARLIE (Indian
Charlie) re-rallied after being passed in early stretch, impressively spurting
away late under Rajiv Maragh. The lightly raced colt got one mile on the sloppy,
sealed main oval in 1:36 4/5 in his stakes debut.
Track Stats
A total of 37 races were held over Jamaica, New York venue, with favorites
winning at a 40 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 65
percent of the wins. From 25 races on the main oval, five animals won in
wire-to-wire fashion (20 percent), and two runners led at every call on the lawn
from 12 races (16 percent).
The first two days of the racing week were a long shot players’ nightmare,
with 16 of the 18 races being won by the first or second choice. The rest of the
week was more balanced, with 9 of the 19 races over the weekend taken by the top
two choices.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 167 | |
| DIRT: | 144 | |
| TURF: | 23 | |
| FAVORITES: | 75 (45 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 44 (26 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 3 (13 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 40 (28 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (4/20)
3RD — SEZZANA (Performing Magic) flew home to win this race in fine fashion
for Chris Englehart, powering home beneath Cornelio Velasquez. The five-year-old
mare got her final quarter-mile in a sharp :23 2/5 to win going away after being
last at the half-mile mark.
Thursday (4/21)
1ST — Old Warrior PREMIUM WINE (Prime Timber) continues to impress at age
seven, closing for a strong tally in this opener under Ramon Dominguez. The
Empire State-bred has long been one of our favorites for Tony Dutrow.
3RD — Gulfstream shipper ROYAL STRAIGHT (Smarty Jones) was well clear in
second while getting outmoved by the winner in this spot, but the Jimmy Jerkens
pupil should be a major threat next time with a step forward.
6TH — The debuting WISHINGONASTAR (Wheelaway) was no secret at first call in
here, getting hammered at the windows and claimed out of this, a 5 1/2-length
romp under Dominguez. The sophomore gelding came home smartly and could be any
kind for new conditioner David Jacobson.
7TH — HOCKLEY (A.P. Indy) made his Aqueduct debut a winning one with a
driving tally for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The Darley homebred hadn’t raced
since July but showed little rust, and we think he could have a nice summer in
New York.
Saturday (4/23)
5TH — NEXT QUESTION (Stormy Atlantic) flashed excellent gate speed before
tiring to third in the lane in a useful first try for Michael Trombetta. The
sophomore colt bears watching next time.
7TH — PAGE BY PAGE (Read the Footnotes) closed with a rush in the final
furlong to register a second-place finish in this test for trainer Mark Hennig.
The three-year-old miss, who was unraced since Saratoga in the summer, will be
an obvious contender in her comebacker with reasonable progression.
9TH — RATTLESNAKE BRIDGE (Tapit) was only fourth but never that far away in
his graded debut for McLaughlin. The colt never switched leads until too late in
here, and if he ever puts it all together, he could evolve into a graded winner,
in our opinion.
A LOOK AHEAD
The action shifts to Belmont Park this week.