AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
JANUARY 29, 2015
by John Mucciolo
There was no graded racing during the abbreviated week on the inner oval at
Aqueduct.
Track Stats
A total of 25 races were held over the inner strip at the Long Island, New
York venue, with favorites winning at a 44 percent rate and the top two betting
choices combining for 72 percent of the wins during the week. Eight were won in
wire-to-wire fashion (32 percent), while there was no turf racing.
It was hard to gauge the condition of the main oval with little racing and a
slew of very small fields. We thought the Thursday oval was better for horses
from off the pace and speed better over the weekend, if anything.
A total of 22 of the 25 races were taken by horses breaking from the inner
six post slots (88 percent), though that once again is a case of small fields at
play.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 241 | |
| DIRT: | 241 | |
| FAVORITES: | 102 (42 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 41 (17 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 59 (24 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (1/22)
2ND — COPERNICUS (Munnings) sped to the front and never faced a challenge in
easily dispatching this group under Guillermo Rodriguez. The sophomore colt
could turn out to be a nice claim for Rudy Rodriguez and we have a hunch this
one might be capable of carrying his speed a bit longer under the right
circumstances.
5TH — REGULUS (Distorted Humor) easily went by the odds-on leader in the
lane and powered home a strong winner in this claiming run for Rudy. The
six-year-old gelding came home swiftly for the level and likely won’t be in for
a tag following this dash.
Friday (1/23)
2ND — We think it’s safe to say that JACKIE BLACK (Discreet Cat) appreciated
the stretch out to a route run first time off the claim as the three-year-old
miss rolled home to a victory stated as 35 lengths. The speedy Linda Rice
trainee earned a hefty 90 BRIS Speed figure for this event and surely won’t be
in for a tag next time out.
4TH — Richard Violette’s debuter LEHIGH FIVE (Birdstone) overcame the rail,
dueled to the top of the lane and then exploded late in a fine first-out tally
over a fairly decent field of prospects. The interesting sophomore colt is bred
to run long, but has fine speed and really could be any kind.
6TH — DULCIFY (Candy Ride [Arg]) was wide early and especially wide in the
lane, so her run was a lot better than it might appear on paper. The Steve
Klesaris trainee had not been on the track since the summer, so to be beaten by
just three lengths after giving up a ton of ground should make her very live in
her subsequent outing, perhaps at a price.
8TH — ORGANIC GEMINI (Sir Whimsey) was last early but did put in a spirited
run in a much improved test for trainer Steve Asmussen. The New York-bred was
more than six lengths clear of the show and should be graduating with any type
of forward move in the near future.
Sunday (1/25)
6TH — The Chad Brown-trained LONGFOR THE CITY (Langfuhr) was never getting
to the winner but he did fight on gamely to get second in his first start since
September. The five-year-old should be expected to move up off of this prep run.
8TH — WENT THE DAY WELL (Proud Citizen) had been off form for some time
following a big early part of his sophomore campaign, but the six-year-old has
done some good things since joining the barn of Jimmy Jerkens. The Grade 3
winner put in a fine late rush to capture this race and surely looks to be
moving in the right direction.
A Look Ahead
There is no graded racing this week at Aqueduct.