AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 9, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
While many people rely on Punxsutawney Phil, a groundhog on Gobbler’s Knob in
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to predict how many more weeks of winter remain,
horseplayers who handicap the races in New York are used to a much more
simplified approach.
For years, Aqueduct has held a special Presidents’ Day program, which takes
place this year on Monday, February. 21. This special day of racing has served
as a welcome indication that spring is just around the corner. New York, which
everyone knows, is one of the major racing venues in the country for much of the
year. Annually, it is forced to take a back seat to Gulfstream and Santa Anita
during the bitter cold months of winter.
The President’s Day card serves notice that racing over the Aqueduct main
track is not that far away, which also signifies the return of many of the
high-powered stables from South Florida, as well as Louisiana and Arkansas.
Everyone anxiously waits for the day when NYRA racecaller Tom Durkin
enthusiastically pronounces the condition of the turf course as “Firm.” Of
course, the snow has to melt and the grass has to thaw out before that can take
place.
For the time being, racing continues over the inner track. Saturday’s
featured contest, the Correction H. at six furlongs for fillies and
mares, contained the heavily favored Bank Audit (Wild Rush), who was shooting for her fourth
straight victory in her initial start for trainer Frank Labocetta Jr. However, a
win was not in the cards for the 1-2 favorite as LAVENDER LASS (Skip Trial) sat
a perfect stalking trip off a rather ordinary pace and then withstood all late
challenges to post a half-length victory.
Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Lavender Lass
seized the lead in midstretch after disposing of the front-runner and then held
gamely as Bank Audit’s late rally fell short. Santa Croce (Saint Ballado) closed belatedly for third
but was never a serious threat.
The inner track played favorably to early speed all week, and that held true
for both sprints and routes. The bias was at its strongest on Saturday. The
inside paths seemed preferable on Saturday as well, but were uniform otherwise.
Scott Lake holds a narrow one-win lead over Gary Contessa and Richard Dutrow
Jr. who are tied for the second spot in the trainer standings. Bruce Levine is a
distant fourth with Tom Bush and Kiaran McLaughlin in a dead-heat for fifth.
Bejarano is in a race of his own for leading rider, holding a 16-win
edge over Norberto Arroyo Jr. in second. Shaun Bridgmohan, Aaron Gryder and
Richard Migliore complete the top five.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (2/2)
1ST – ROBYNTHEGOLD (Robyn Dancer) was a tough-luck second off a freshening
for trainer Scott Lake. He held gamely after dueling on the lead and almost withstood a
fresh closer late. Nearly perfect over the inner track, the gelding has improved
noticeably since being claimed by his current connections.
6TH – LEAGUEOFHISOWN (Wild Rush) was overmatched in two prior starts over the
inner but improved to finish third on the drop to the $45,000 level here. Unfortunately, he ran
into a couple razor sharp claimers and was also hindered by modest fractions on
the front end.
7TH – SWITHER (Anees) found herself a good second to a daylight winner in a
swiftly run race while returning to a fast track which she obviously prefers.
Held well once displaced on the front end in her two turn debut.
Thursday (2/3)
6TH – REGAL KAWANA (Regal Classic) ran well returning to a dry track. Was
compromised by slow fractions on the front end but still finished with good
energy late as the pace quickened over a speed favoring track.
9TH – BLUESMAN (Proud and True) dispensed a good effort off a brief respite.
Exhibited much improved speed and closed well despite having to alter course in
the stretch. Clearly second best in a race that finished up well late.
Friday (2/4)
5TH – VOTE OF CONFIDENCE (Impeachment) improved facing $35,000 maiden
claimers on the drop. Finished well for the place behind a daylight winning
favorite.
Saturday (2/5)
3RD – ACADEMY BRASS (Royal Academy) was a decent third in her most recent
outing. Rushed to dispute the pace after bit of an awkward start off a
freshening. Chased a loose front-runner while three wide and finished with
interest over an inside speed-favoring track.
9TH – BOURBON BALL (Peintre Celebre) was hard used setting a hot and
pressured pace off a prolonged layoff. Understandably wilted in the stretch from
her early exploits and may be best served if returned to sprints in subsequent
starts, especially over the Aqueduct main track, the surface of her lone career
victory.
Sunday (2/6)
1ST – TIC TAC TOE LOUIE (Western Expression) continues to improve racing
around two turns. Disputed, then set the early pace and continued on well
in a race that quickened noticeably late. May prefer to sit and make one run.
9TH – SHOTS (Go For Gin) showed dramatic reversal in form with the hood
removed. Carved out a very lively pace for the class level facing limited
winners and held remarkably well.