AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
APRIL 3, 2015
by John Mucciolo
There was no graded action during the week on the inner oval at Aqueduct.
Track Stats
A total of 27 races were held over the inner strip at the Jamaica, New York
venue, with favorites winning at a 33 percent rate and the top two betting
choices combining for 59 percent of the wins during the week. From those 27
races, five animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (19 percent).
Speed has been going pretty well for a few weeks now, but it’s not dominant.
Of the five who led at every call, three came in sprint outings with the other
pair occurring in route events.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 463 | |
| DIRT: | 463 | |
| FAVORITES: | 175 (38 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 101 (22 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 118 (25 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (3/26)
3RD — SOUTHERN SUNSHINE (High Cotton) tracked in second behind the odds-on
choice, took the lead in early stretch and cruised home a fine graduate for
conditioner Richard Schosberg. The New York-bred four-year-old didn’t run all
that swiftly but did it the right way, and should make noise right back in her
first with winners next time.
6TH — PERFECT FREUD (Freud) made a big middle move to reach contention and
finished up well to be a clear second behind a fairly nice winner under Jose
Ortiz. The three-year-old miss will be tough right back with even minor
improvement for conditioner Sydney Dutrow.
8TH — JOHN’S ISLAND (Posse) returns to this list after overcoming a layoff
and a wide voyage to get up in the final strides of the allowance tilt. The
four-year-old gelding, who was a winner the last time we saw him, toppled a very
solid field and could be set for a good campaign in 2015.
Friday (3/27)
4TH — The Leah Gyarmati-trained MOHAWK LILY (Alphabet Soup) made the winner
work hard before ultimately settling for second in an improved showing off the
bench. The three-year-old miss could surely be graduating soon with performances
like this one.
8TH — EFFINEX (Mineshaft) has been a tough one for us to gauge, as sometimes
he runs huge. Like on this day. The four-year-old colt swept past a clear leader
in winning with authority, and we still hold out belief that he can be very good
if he gains consistency.
Saturday (3/28)
1ST — RELAX (Smart Strike) continued a big week for Jimmy Jerkens with a
decisive tally in this opener, getting the lead early and rolling home with
ease. The five-year-old mare could have some ability and will be interesting to
watch going forward.
A Look Ahead
The $1 million TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) tops a major racing
day at Aqueduct on Saturday. Also on the big card is the $350,000 Carter
Handicap (G1); $300,000 Gazelle Stakes (G2); $300,000 Bay Shore Stakes
(G3) and the $100,000 Danger’s Hour Stakes.