AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
APRIL 6, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
The $750,000 Wood Memorial (G1) for three year-olds, the cornerstone race of
the Aqueduct spring meet, is scheduled to be run this Saturday. There were 38
nominations for this Grade 1 fixture at nine furlongs, and this year’s renewal
of the Wood is expected to be very contentious. The last horse to win the Wood
and then be draped with roses in May was Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000. In recent
years, second-place finishers Funny Cide (Distorted Humor) (2003) and Monarchos
(2001) have used the race a springboard to emerge victorious in the Derby.
The Carter H. (G1) will also be run the same day in addition to the Bay Shore
(G3), which features the freakishly fast Lost in the Fog (Lost Soldier), who
will ship in from his West Coast base.
Meanwhile, Aqueduct presented the Excelsior H. (G3) this past Saturday,
featuring the rematch between Coast Line (Boston Harbor) and OFFLEE WILD (Wild
Again). These two rivals butted heads in the John Campbell H. at Laurel on
February 19, with the former coming out on top by a neck after a stirring
stretch battle. Offlee Wild was looking for revenge in the Excelsior and
proceeded to accomplish that task with a vengeance, running away form his
competition in the stretch to win by 8 1/2 widening lengths.
A prominent presence from the outset, Offlee Wild stalked the pace of Rogue
Agent (Anjiz) down the backstretch as Coast Line reverted to stalking tactics,
racing just off the flank off the front runner. Shortly after entering the
stretch, the winner, trained by Richard Dutrow Jr., quickly seized the lead and
increased his advantage with every stride en route to his lopsided victory.
Rouge Agent held grimly to save second once displaced on the lead as Cuba (Not
For Love) failed to sustain his rally and finished third. Coast Line, the 8-5
second in the betting, faded badly in the stretch and finished last in a
disappointing effort.
This was Offlee Wild’s third victory in four starts since being transferred
to Dutrow and his Aqueduct main track debut proved to be an unqualified success.
There are no immediate plans for the five-year-old, but Dutrow, who is always
thinking ahead, mentioned the Breeders’ Cup as a possible target down the road.
The main track favored no particular running style to begin the week.
However, from Friday on, the course appeared partial to early speed types. There
did not appear to be any significant path biases the entire week.
Richard Migliore continues to lead the jockey standings, with Shaun
Bridgmohan and Rafael Bejarano in a dead-heat for the second spot and Pablo
Fragoso another win back in fourth.
Dutrow continues to top all trainers. Mike Hushion moved into second with
Shug McGaughey dropping back a notch into third, There are slew of trainers in a
dead-heat for fourth.
Wednesday (3/30)
2ND – MISTER HENNESSY (Hennessy) turned in a useful second-place finish
returning to a sprint off the bench. Finished well in the stretch while chasing
home a loose front runner in a race that quickened noticeably late.
5TH – BROWN EYED MISS (End Sweep), shipping up from Florida off a conditional
claiming win, was ambitiously spotted by Dutrow . Set a very strong pace on the
lead and understandably tired in her first effort in nearly two months.
8TH – STRATEGY (A.P. Indy) wound up a powerful second off a prolonged layoff
for McGaughey. Finished with good energy and courage along the rail in stretch,
but the four-year-old daughter of multiple Grade 1 winner Educated Risk could
not overcome pedestrian fractions set by the wire-to-wire winner.
Thursday (3/31)
2ND – ONE AND DONE (Langfuhr) wound up a good third stepping up to the
$17,500 level off a victory. Disputed the pace set by an odds-on winning
favorite dropping down in class. Yielded the place late to a fresh closer in a
contest that was fast for the class level.
4TH – PHIL’S BLUE WAY (Will’S Way) was a much improved third with the
addition of blinkers for trainer Linda Rice, who usually does not do well with
this type of move. Demonstrated surprise early speed to chase the pace and
finished with good energy in the stretch. Has the pedigree on both sides to
improve with distance.
Friday (4/1)
1ST – CERIUM (Ordway) was a sharp second in career debut for a very mediocre
first out trainer. Finished well in the lane despite a bit of a wide trip to an
odds-on winning favorite who was never challenged on the front end in a swiftly
run race.
7TH – WILD CEE (Wild Again) gave a good effort chasing a superior speed rival
dropping down from a stakes contest. Clearly second best to this loose front
runner. At her best going six furlongs.
Saturday (4/2)
5TH – DASL CAMMY (Gold Token) has failed twice now since being sent a route
of ground by trainer Scott Lake. Gave way badly disputing lively fractions on
the front end. Would obviously benefit from a cutback in distance and maybe a
little class relief as well.
7TH – CONCORDE’S EDGE (Concorde’s Tune) wound up a good third shipping up
from Florida and tackling winners for the first time. Held gamely setting a
quick and pressured pace in a race that finished up well late.
Sunday (4/3)
4TH – WILD COUNTRY (Unbridled) turned in an useful effort in his career debut
for D. Wayne Lukas, who has a pathetic record with first timers. Made a good
move into the stretch, but made little impact late in a race that finished up
well. Bred top and bottom to improve with age and distance as her dam won graded
stakes events over a route of ground.
6TH – POKER JOE (Danzatame) was a much improved second turning back to a
sprint. Finished with interest chasing home a loose front runner over a speed
conducive track. Stretch out to seven furlongs would be a plus.