AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
DECEMBER 22, 2011
by John Mucciolo
There were no graded races this weekend at Aqueduct.
Track Stats
A total of 45 races were held over Jamaica, New York, venue, with favorites
winning at a 40 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 71
percent of the wins during the week. From 45 races on the main oval, 11 animals
won in wire-to-wire fashion (24 percent). There was no turf racing held this
past week.
Speed horses did well for the second straight week here, but we still claim
that the right horse could win from off the pace, too.
Thursday and Sunday both saw four horses win in wire-to-wire fashion. Rail
runners made good in nine of the 45 races for the week (20 percent).
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 297 | |
| DIRT: | 240 | |
| TURF: | 57 | |
| FAVORITES: | 118 (40 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 58 (19 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 4 (7 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 58 (24 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH:
Wednesday (12/14)
2ND — WHAT’S THE RECORD was 12 lengths clear of third in this one behind a
1-5 shot, and the Ignacio Correas trainee should be graduating before long.
3RD — Trainer Jason Servis could be getting a good one in claiming winner
SPEIGHT OF HAND out of this race. The in-form five-year-old tracked a clear
leader and took over at will in the lane in a very sharp tally, his second
straight.
6TH — ENCHANTE ran down a clear leader in the lane in a very game score in
this one for trainer Rudy Rodriguez. We like this sophomore Bluegrass Cat filly
going forward and think she could stretch out.
Thursday (12/15)
8TH — SPEGITHCITY rebounded nicely from a clunker he put in last time,
rallying in the lane in here for trainer Gary Contessa. The talented juvenile
son of Speightstown could have a nice sophomore season in front of him with
further improvement.
Friday (12/16)
6TH — MCCARREN PARK displayed a nice turn of foot in rolling home in this
allowance test for conditioner Steve Asmussen. This juvenile Posse filly came
home in a solid time with something to spare, and likely won’t be offered for a
tag in her subsequent outing.
Saturday (12/17)
2ND — GREAT OPAL just missed in a fine debut outing for David Donk, who is
not known for his skill with first time starters. The gelded juvenile son of
Greatness will be a big factor in his next run, although odds of 23-1 are not
likely.
8TH — The win machine known as FRAZIL proved that he not just a starter
allowance champion, as he upended this solid field of open stakes foes for Linda
Rice. We’re really starting to respect the five-year-old, who is in superb form.
Sunday (12/18)
2ND — Donk unveiled another live first timer with CORDEROSA in this one. The
debuting juvenile daughter of Aldebaran simply ran this group off their feet in
registering a 5 1/4-length win in a solid time, coming home in a snappy :24
flat! She could round into any kind.
8TH — SAN PABLO (Jump Start) is evolving into a serious miler for trainer
Todd Pletcher, winning again against a useful field. The colt is push-button and
can really motor late.
A Look Ahead
There are no graded stakes this week at The Big A.