AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
APRIL 30, 2015
by John Mucciolo
A single graded stakes race headlined the week of racing at Aqueduct.
Excelsior S. (G3): Tri-Bone Stables’ EFFINEX (Mineshaft) got near the leader
approaching the turn for home and gradually wore that one down in securing a
three-parts of a length tally for conditioner Jimmy Jerkens. The four-year-old
New York-bred stopped the teletimer in 2:02 for ten panels on the fast main oval
under Angel Arroyo.
Track Stats
A total of 46 races were held over the main strip at the Long Island, New
York, venue, with favorites winning at a 41 percent rate and the top two betting
choices combining for 67 percent of the wins during the week. From 33 races on
the main oval, eight animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (24 percent), while two
of the 13 grassy races were taken all the way on the lead (15 percent).
We thought both ovals played mostly fair during this closing week. Both turf
runners led through moderate splits in route races and kicked home best, but
they didn’t ride a bias of any sort.
Of the eight wire-to-winners on the dirt, seven came in sprint runs.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 89 | |
| DIRT: | 63 | |
| TURF: | 26 | |
| FAVORITES: | 43 (48 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 20 (22 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 7 (11 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 10 (38 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (4/22)
2ND — GLICKMAN (Trippi) proved that he is too much for this level with a
facile tally in a nice time under Eric Cancel. The seven-year-old was re-claimed
by David Jacobson out of this dash and will likely be a major player right back,
especially against similar company.
8TH — COACH INGE (Big Brown) ran easily one of the best races of the week at
Aqueduct following this superb allowance romp for Todd Pletcher. The
four-year-old gelding led early and exploded when given his cue in the lane,
coming home in a swift :36 1/5 for his final three-eighths. He earned a lifetime
best 108 BRIS Speed rating and has to be stakes bound next time out.
Thursday (4/23)
8TH — BAR OF GOLD (Medaglia d’Oro) left little doubt in this dash with a
powerful score in going away fashion under Junior Alvarado. The sophomore filly
beat her elders with ease and is now a sterling three-for-three lifetime with
improvement in each outing. The filly is a nice prospect who has every right to
improve as the distances increase.
Friday (4/24)
8TH — MRS MCDOUGAL (Medaglia d’Oro) did get away with very soft early
fractions, but she still gave a fine impression of herself when dominating this
field in the lane for conditioner Chad Brown. The expensive sophomore appears to
have a very bright future.
Saturday (4/25)
2ND — We really liked the performance put in by maiden graduate ZIPPA
TEQUILLA (City Zip) after she tracked a clear early leader, dispatched of that
one in early stretch and drove home a daylight winner for Jason Servis. Tab the
filly to do good things when facing winners going forward.
7TH — MAJESTIC RAFFY (Raffie’s Majesty) was never getting to the winner, but
ran a sneaky good one in third behind a very slow pace, with a wide trip to
boot. The Chris Englehart trainee also could have needed the outing in his first
since the fall — which leads us to believe that he will be very tough next out.
8TH — Even though 3-5 favorite WICKED STRONG (Hard Spun) only finished
third, we still like this colt a lot and won’t think less of him after this
performance. The Grade 1 winner has a lot left in the tank in our view.
Sunday (4/26)
4TH — COURAGEISAMAJORITY (Medaglia d’Oro) was last early but had a lot of
run in the lane and fell just short in a very good try under John Velazquez. The
Graham Motion pupil was making her first run since the fall and should use this
as a stepping stone to races upcoming in what could be a nice sophomore
campaign.
7TH — WARRIOR’S CROWN (Majestic Warrior), making his first start in 11
months, moved outside for the stretch run and did the best late in posting a
game allowance tally in what was a fine comeback outing. The Bill Mott trainee
is lightly raced, first or second in each lifetime outing, and is also proven at
Belmont Park, where he will run next time in all likelihood.
A Look Ahead
A trio of graded races will take place on Saturday during the opening week of
racing at Belmont Park. The $200,000 Sheepshead Bay (G2), $150,000 Fort Marcy
(G3) and $150,000 Westchester (G3) will lead the way.