AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
JANUARY 20, 2012
by John Mucciolo
There were no graded races this week at Aqueduct.
Track Stats
A total of 54 races were held at the Jamaica, New York, venue, with favorites
winning at a 33 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 56
percent of the wins during the week. From 54 races on the main oval, 11 animals
won in wire-to-wire fashion (20 percent). There was no turf racing held this
past week.
Three horses won from posts wider than the six post on Wednesday, while only
two other horses breaking from the outside came through over the next five days
of races. Speed was pretty solid on the main oval, but we saw no bias during the
six-day race week.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 432 | |
| DIRT: | 375 | |
| TURF: | 57 | |
| FAVORITES: | 170 (39 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 97 (22 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 4 (7 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 89 (24 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (1/12)
2ND — CORONADO HEIGHTS looked pretty good in his debut in here for
conditioner Todd Pletcher, running down a clear, odds-on choice to graduate at
first asking. The late starting four-year-old will be a big factor next time if
properly placed.
Friday (1/13)
1ST — RESERVED QUALITY broke slowly and had the misfortune of chasing a
clear one in this spot for trainer Richard Dutrow, and the sophomore should be a
big contender with a cleaner start in his return. (Note: This one ran second in
the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes on Monday.)
7TH — HEWITTS flashed good speed before tiring in a useful run for Charlton
Baker. The eight-year-old gelding was making his first run since May and is
eligible for big improvement in his comebacker for conditioner Bruce Levine, who
claimed this one.
Saturday (1/14)
2ND — HARDENED WILDCAT toppled what we thought was a solid field full of
potential in this one for trainer Chad Brown, opening up late in a visually
impressive tally. The gelding is bred to be a solid sprinter and could very well
turn out to be one.
9TH — PANTHRO proved way too good on the drop in with state-bred foes on
this occasion for conditioner Stanley Hough, inching clear in a professional
score under Cornelio Velasquez. We think the gelding will be formidable if kept
with fellow New York foes.
Sunday (1/15)
5TH — DOWN BY LAW put in a fine run in the lane to be a clear second at
first asking for trainer Todd Pletcher, and the sophomore miss should be tough
in her subsequent try.
Monday (1/16)
1ST — WON FAST BULLET blew past a clear leader in early stretch and powered
home a 5 1/4-length romper in this opener for Dutrow. The five-year-old came
home in a sharp final quarter and is in very good current form.
A Look Ahead
The $75,000 Evening Attire Stakes on Saturday and Sunday’s $75,000
Haynesfield Stakes are the lone stakes scheduled for this weekend at Aqueduct.