AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 6, 2014
by John Mucciolo
There was a pair of graded races this week at Aqueduct.
Withers S. (G3): My Meadowview Farm’s homebred SAMRAAT (Noble
Causeway) tracked the early leader all the way around the oval and proved best
under the line in a one-length tally under the guidance of Jose Ortiz. The
Empire State-bred colt remained unbeaten for conditioner Richard Violette after
getting 1 1/16 miles on the fast main surface in 1:46 1/5.
Toboggan S. (G3): Gold Square LLC and trainer David Jacobson’s
CANDYMAN E (Candy Ride) tracked in second to late stretch and gradually wore
down the pacesetter in securing a three-quarters of a length tally beneath C C
Lopez. The seven-year-old gelding stopped the teletimer for six panels on the
fast main oval in 1:10 1/5.
Track Stats
A total of 37 races were held over the inner oval at the Jamaica, New York
venue, with favorites winning at a 49 percent rate and the top two betting
choices combining for 81 percent of the wins during the week. From 37 races on
the main oval, 11 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (30 percent).
Speed was good once again this week, with 11 runners leading all the way and
another handful sitting second early and coming home first. Of the 11 runners to
lead at every call, eight of those were in sprint races and the other three in
two-turn events. We still give an edge to those with very good gate speed,
regardless of post slot.
Inner Meet Totals
| RACES: | 309 | |
| FAVORITES: | 109 (35 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 90 (29 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 84 (27 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (1/30)
3RD — BOURBON THERAPY (Freud) had a lot of work to do turning for home and
responded with a big finish to reel in a clear leader for David Jacobson. The
sophomore gelding got his final quarter-mile in a swift :24 4/5 and should be
tough right back with a similar showing.
5TH — NIGHT MANEUVER (Orientate) was passed in midstretch but showed a lot
of heart in digging deep in the latter stages to come out on top today under
Taylor Rice. The Gray Contessa trainee has always flashed big speed and really
showed us something today.
9TH — Chris Englehart made what we think could be a fine claim of ELTANIN
(Star Cat), who annihilated this field from start to finish. The sophomore colt
has a lot of pace and will be tough with a trip likely against starter foes next
time.
Friday (1/31)
3RD — DECEIVED (Broken Vow) proved too good for state-bred foes in this romp
and should be due for a run with open foes for trainer Leah Gyaramti. The
three-year-old colt was not abused in the lane when pulling well clear, and he
is an interesting prospect for a barn that has never been better over the past
12 months.
8TH — MARRIEDTOTHEMUSIC (Disco Rico) was tons the best in this dash for
Dominic Galluscio, taking the lead early and never looking back in a dominant
tally in a strong final time, equaling the track mark. The four-year-old colt
ran to his odds and will surely be facing stakes foes in the very near future.
Saturday (12/1)
4TH — The Todd Pletcher-trained RED MINX (Wildcat Heir) broke slowly in his
debut but rushed up to lead early and never looked back in a sharp debut tally
under Chris DeCarlo. Expect the sophomore filly to be a useful performer going
forward as she is bred to be a good one-turn runner.
7TH — The John Servis-conditioned JOINT RETURN (Include) was last early
after a tardy break but made up for it in the stretch in posting a powerful 4
1/4-length romp under Kendrick Carmouche. The Parx invader has been impressive
to this point and should be in line for a try with graded foes at some point in
the spring.
A Look Ahead
There is no graded racing this week at Aqueduct.