AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
JANUARY 22, 2015
by John Mucciolo
There was no graded racing during the week on the inner oval at Aqueduct.
Track Stats
A total of 45 races were held over the inner strip at the Long Island, New
York venue, with favorites winning at a 47 percent rate and the top two betting
choices combining for 64 percent of the wins during the week. Ten races were won
in wire-to-wire fashion (22 percent), while there was no turf racing.
We saw all types of winners this week, horses leading throughout and others
who went last-to-first, as well. Route speed continues to be more dangerous than
sprint pace in our view. Six of the 10 wire jobs came in two-turn races on the
inner surface.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 216 | |
| DIRT: | 216 | |
| FAVORITES: | 91 (42 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 34 (16 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 51 (24 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (1/15)
3RD — We loved the tally from SIR BOND (Street Sense) in this starter
allowance field under Chuckie Lopez. The Chris Englehart was out-sprinted early
on but rated in second and took command in a stylish score, stopping the
teletimer in a snappy 1:09 3/5 in the process. The six-year-old gelding has fine
current form.
Friday (1/16)
3RD — The Gary Contessa-trained UNTILTHEREWASYOU (Big Brown) was always well
placed and made the clear leader work some late in a determined second-place
showing beneath Irad Ortiz Jr. The closing splits of this race were solid and we
will tab the filly for another good performance right back if placed with
similar.
5TH — TIZQUICK (Tiz Wonderful) was widest of all in the lane but still
closed with a big rush to bag this allowance test going away for trainer John
Kimmel. The sophomore colt beat a decent field and might evolve into a stakes
player with improvement.
Saturday (1/17)
1ST — We’re not certain what JILLY MAC (Mineshaft) dusted in this field, but
the four-year-old filly did it with authority under Manny Franco. The Jimmy
Ryerson trainee clocked her final quarter mile in a solid :24 3/5 and was never
seriously asked inside the final furlong.
8TH — CELEBRATED TALENT (Bernardini) got the jump early and never looked
back in posting a four-length win in this allowance test for trainer Linda Rice.
The bay earned a lifetime-best 99 BRIS Speed figure and has been very consistent
since being claimed in the fall.
Sunday (1/18)
3RD — MALEEH (Indian Charlie) burned a lot of money when third in this
allowance run, but the Kiaran McLaughlin charge has now put in a pair of pretty
good races off the long layoff and might be set up for his best next time out,
likely at a better price as well.
8TH — CAPTAIN SERIOUS (Successful Appeal) took the lead at the top of the
lane and held off a trio live contenders late in posting a game win for trainer
Mike Hushion. The four-year-old gelding got a :24 2/5 closing quarter mile and
will be stakes bound right back, as he should be.
Monday (1/19)
8TH — IRSAAL (More Than Ready) was much closer early in this spot and the
move nearly paid off, as the McLaughlin trainee led late and fell just short at
the wire of this stakes run. The five-year-old gelding posted a lifetime best
102 BRIS Speed number and is surely in fine form right now.
A Look Ahead
There is no graded racing this week at Aqueduct.