AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
MARCH 29, 2012
by John Mucciolo
There were no graded races held at “The Big A” this past week.
Track Stats
A total of 46 races were held over Jamaica, New York, venue, with favorites
winning at a 35 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 61
percent of the wins during the week. From 46 races on the main oval, nine
animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (20 percent). There was no turf racing held
this past week.
The main oval played well for early runners for the first three days of the
week, especially on Thursday, when the first seven races were won by horses that
sat first or second at the initial call. Saturday and Sunday yielded numerous
winners coming from off the pace, with no wire-to-wire first place finishers.
Please note that we updated the following statistics as racing is now on the
outer oval on the main strip.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 46 | |
| DIRT: | 46 | |
| TURF: | 0 | |
| FAVORITES: | 16 (35 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 12 (26 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 0 (0 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 9 (20 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (3/21)
2ND — COOPER RIVER was valiant in defeat in this one, rallying back gamely
after being passed early in the lane under Chuckie Lopez. The four-year-old colt
will be tough with a similar effort next time.
3RD — FASHION’S FLIGHT was sharp in this one for conditioner Shug McGaughey,
as the sophomore miss beat her elders in visually impressive fashion. She could
have a nice future with natural progression.
Friday (3/23)
3RD — MANTECA couldn’t have run much better without winning and was more
than 10 lengths clear of his nearest foe in this one. The seven-year-old gelding
still has plenty of fight in him for conditioner David Jacobson.
5TH — SMART STRIDE could turn out to be a fine claim for Richard Dutrow
following the filly’s strong tally on this day. We were somewhat surprised the
well-bred lass was in for a tag here.
Saturday (3/24)
2ND — TEMECULA CREEK lived up to this favorite’s status with a most
impressive tally in this one. The Rudy Rodriguez trainee sat off the early tempo
and steadily wore this field down in a strong run, coming home in a solid :24
1/5.
Sunday (3/25)
1ST — FULL OF GUT ran down a clear leader in a fine tally in this spot and
now goes to the very capable Linda Rice off the claim. We think this one will be
tough right back against this type.
4TH — The Eric Reed-trained STREET MATE battled back gamely after being
headed in early stretch and got a most deserved win in this dash. The
four-year-old is cut out to be a nice one and should be able to get more ground.
8TH — We’re not sure what SUNNY DESERT beat in this one, but the John
Parisella pupil was more than 15 lengths clear under the line and got her final
quarter-mile in a strong, :25 2/5 for this level. The sophomore should evolve
into a good one if this was no fluke.
A Look Ahead
There are no graded races to be held this week at Aqueduct as we wait for the
Wood Memorial extravaganza (four graded stakes) on April 7.