AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 7, 2013
by John Mucciolo
There was a pair of graded events over the weekend at the
Big A.
Withers S. (G3): WinStar Farm’s REVOLUTIONARY (War Pass) surged between
runners inside the final furlong and posted a neck score in this one for
conditioner Todd Pletcher. The talented sophomore colt got 1 1/16 miles on the
fast main oval 1:44 1/5 under the guidance of Javier Castellano.
Toboggan S. (G3): Michael Dubb et al’s HEAD HEART HOOF (Intidab) took a short
lead approaching the turn for home and gamely stayed on to post a half-length
tally in this spot under Cornelio Velasquez. The Rudy Rodriguez-trained
seven-year-old stopped the teletimer in 1:09 4/5 for six panels on the fast main
oval.
Track Stats
A total of 46 races were held over the Jamaica, New York,
venue, with favorites winning at a 37 percent rate and the top two betting
choices combining for 65 percent of the wins during the week. From 46 races on
the main oval, 10 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (22 percent), while there
was no turf racing.
We thought the oval changed quite a bit during the week —
with speed dominating on Wednesday and Thursday, and closers having their way
for the remaining part of the week, mostly. Six winners led at every call for
the first two days, while just four from the remaining 28 races led all the way
from the start over the weekend.
To further back this point, horses breaking from outside of
post six had a lot more success later in the week, while just one runner
breaking wide came through during the first two racing days here. We’ll keep an
eye on how things shake out on Wednesday, as a return to speed would not
surprise at all.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 523 | |
| DIRT: | 468 | |
| TURF: | 55 | |
| FAVORITES: | 196 (37 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 114 (22 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 10 (18 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 131 (28 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (1/30)
3RD — RULER ON ICE (Roman Ruler) made a nice start to his
2013 campaign with a rallying victory from last in this small field for trainer
Kelly Breen. The classic winner has a ton of back class and likes a route of
ground, so he should be a player in the handicap division this season with
natural progression.
Thursday (1/31)
3RD — MASTER CLIP (Master Command) left little doubt with a dominant 13-length romp over this field for Rodriguez. The New York-bred four-year-old colt came home in 1:10 2/5 for the
six furlongs and should be live in his subsequent try against winners.
6TH — TRUE FORTUNE (Yes It’s True) raced wide throughout
this race but still got the job done with a big closing run to win going away
for conditioner George Weaver. The sophomore filly could be of stakes quality
with state-bred foes.
Friday (2/1)
1ST — SATURDAY’S CHARM (Any Given Saturday) put in a
superb effort to kick off the card on this day, powering home from off the pace
in blowing this field away late for trainer Steve Asmussen. The four-year-old
colt flew home in :23 3/5 under mild urging and could be a big player on this
circuit with even slight improvement off of this one.
4TH — We really liked the effort by LURABELL (Silver
Train) in her debut run in this race beneath Junior Alvarado. She chased lone
speed all the way around the oval and inched clear late in a very nice showing
for this level. Note the miss was claimed out of this by Abigail Adsit and could
be live if properly placed next time.
5TH — FUNNY MONEY (Dehere) couldn’t reel in the winner in
this dash, but the Chad Brown trainee ran well to be clear in second and should
be extra tough next time with likely improvement and a better break from the
gate.
Saturday (2/2)
1ST — Pletcher kicked off his nice day in
this opener when saddling MORDI’S MIRACLE (Lawyer Ron) to a fine score under
Castellano. The four-year-old colt showed a strong turn of foot in
posting a strong final time in this one, and could continue his winning streak
next out with an effort resembling this one.
3RD — CLUSTER OF STARS (Greeley’s Galaxy) was all heart in
battling back after being passed in the lane to eke out a victory over a real
nice one today. The Asmussen charge is going very well right now on this oval,
and the 1:09 3/5 final time was as good as it gets on the inner tube.
4TH — PRINCESS OF SYLMAR (Majestic Warrior) has now won
four in a row in fine fashion and has to be considered among the better
sophomore fillies around right now. The Pletcher trainee toyed with this group
and seemingly can run all day.
9TH — Revolutionary might not have defeated the best field
of all time in this race, but for the colt to spring forward from a maiden score
to take this while enduring a ton of traffic says something for this improving
sort, who seemingly always finds trouble.
A Look Ahead
There are no graded stakes carded this week at the Big A.