AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
NOVEMBER 28, 2013
by John Mucciolo
There was no graded racing this week at the Big A.
Track Stats
A total of 36 races were held at the Jamaica, New York venue, with favorites
winning at a 39 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 53
percent of the wins during the week. From 29 races on the main oval, four
animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (14 percent), while none of the seven races
on the lawn was taken all the way on the front.
It continues to be a tall task in leading all the way on the front end on the
turf here, as just a single horse has accomplished the feat at this meeting.
The main oval was fair to most types we thought, but the last two or three
weeks might be favoring horses stalking the pace while a few paths off the rail.
We did witness, however, that the right animal or one with the right trip, can
lead the field all the way around the strip.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 151 | |
| DIRT: | 107 | |
| TURF: | 44 | |
| FAVORITES: | 59 (39 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 34 (23 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 1 (2 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 17 (16 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (11/20)
2ND — TRAIL BLAZE (Indian Charlie) swept to the front in early stretch and
powered home a sharp winner at first asking for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The
well-meant juvenile colt came home fast and professionally, and the feeling here
is that the Kentucky-bred could be a fine performer into 2014.
ENDOWMENT MANAGER (Master Command) overcame a tardy start to rally well late
to be a fine second in what we think might turn out to be a key race. The Terri
Pompay pupil should be a graduate in the near future with some improvement.
Thursday (11/21)
3RD — Trainer Rudy Rodriguez made what we thought was a sharp claim on race
winner RODINIA (Bluegrass Cat), who made a huge run into and through the lane in
a strong tally, coming home in a swift :24 3/5. The four-year-old filly showed
little rust off the layoff and could be in line for a class rise in her return.
5TH — Indiana Downs shipper MOMENTS NOTIZ (Tiznow) put in one of the better
performances of the meeting with a dominant allowance run beneath Javier
Castellano. The David Jacobson charge has won six of his last eight, with one
loss coming by a nose, and he earned a lifetime best 104 BRIS Speed figure for
this effort. The horse he toppled two back came back to win in a fine allowance
field last week at Churchill Downs as well. We simply don’t see many going six
furlongs in 1:09 2/5 in the winter on this oval.
Friday (11/22)
6TH — GEAUX METS (Posse) dueled while along the rail to the turn for home,
dispatched of his pace foe and never looked back in a fine graduating run
beneath David Cohen. The two-year-old colt was not claimed out of this and will
be tough if properly placed right back for Jacobson.
Saturday (11/23)
1ST — DOWSE’S BEACH (Disco Rico) ran a sneaky-good fourth in the opener for
trainer Christophe Clement, as the gelding rated behind a pedestrian pace but
still came home well to finish more than four lengths clear of his nearest foe,
and less than two lengths shy of the win. The juvenile gelding will have a
better chance with a more honest pace to run into in the future.
4TH — FOREST JORDAN (Frost Giant) rallied while wide into the stretch and
fell just shy of a debut win under Irad Ortiz Jr. The Michael Hushion pupil was
four lengths clear of third and will not be a maiden for long with any type of
progression.
7TH — BAKKEN (Distorted Humor) has begun his career with a pair of most
impressive tallies for conditioner Chad Brown, registering fine Speed numbers of
103 and 102 along the way. The sophomore colt is kin to a pair of Grade 2
winners, as well as hailing from the same family as Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)
hero New Year’s Day, and he seems to be following in their footsteps.
A Look Ahead
A huge Holiday Weekend of racing is here at Aqueduct. The action kicks off on
Thanksgiving with the Grade 3, $300,000 Fall Highweight Handicap, while the
Friday feature is the Grade 2, $300,000 Go For Wand Handicap.
Saturday plays host to quartet of graded races, including the meet’s top
event, the Grade 1, $600,000 Cigar Mile (G1). Also on this big day is the Grade
2, $400,000 Remsen Stakes; Grade 2, $400,000 Demoiselle Stakes and the Grade 3,
$400,000 Comely Stakes.