AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
NOVEMBER 16, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
The Red Smith H. (G2) had a single question that begged to be answered. Which
KING’S DRAMA (Ire) (King’s Theatre [Ire]) was going to show up on Saturday?
Following an abysmal effort at Woodbine in the Canadian International (Can-G1),
handicappers could not be certain which runner would emerge once the gates
opened. Regardless, the Bobby Frankel-trained runner was bet down to 3-5
favoritism and the five-year-old gelding did not disappoint, winning the
11-furlong marathon grass contest by a decisive 2 1/2 lengths.
With jockey Edgar Prado aboard, the pair stalked the early pace, assuming
command before six furlongs had been completed. King’s Drama continued to hold a
tenuous advantage into the stretch, but drew clear late when put to pressure,
annexing his second graded stakes win in 2005. Rousing Victory (Victory Gallop)
closed with a purpose to take down the place by a length over Dreadnaught (Lac
Ouimet). The third-place finisher added blinkers for this event, and raced in
good stalking position down the backstretch. However, he lacked the necessary
response when called upon and could do no better than third.
In a race lacking much in the way of early pace, BANK AUDIT (Wild Rush)
responded well to hustling tactics by jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr. to wire the
field in the House Party S. at Aqueduct on Sunday. The 2-1 second choice in the
wagering, Bank Audit set a pressured early pace before shaking free in the
stretch. She amassed a daylight advantage in midstretch and continued to
increase that lead to score by 4 1/2 widening lengths. Baldomera (Doneraile
Court) was outrun early, but improved her position in the stretch to get second
money over Lilah (Defrere), who finished three parts of a length farther back in
third. The favorite, Ebony Breeze (Belong to Me), never got untracked and
finished a disappointing fourth.
SAINT DAIMON (Saint Ballado), tackling winners for the first time in his
career, cleared that hurdle easily as he defeated five other rivals to win the
Huntington S. Rating off a contentious early pace, the Allen Jerkens-trained
runner benefited from a ground saving trip and engaged the pacesetting Urban Guy
(Marquetry) in midstretch. He eventually slipped thru a narrow opening along the
rail to gain the lead and drew clear by 3 3/4 lengths at the wire. Urban Guy,
who was pressured from the outset while dictating the pace, barely held on for
second by a nose over Justawalkinthepark (Ecton Park), the 9-5 favorite.
Prado now has sole possession of first place in the jockey standings, leading
John Velasquez by three victories. Cornelio Velasquez, Channing Hill and Mike
Luzzi, are third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
Todd Pletcher maintains a single-victory lead over Richard Dutrow Jr. in the
trainer standings. Mike Hushion holds down the third spot with Christophe
Clement and Linda Rice completing the top five.
The main track was slightly speed favoring on Tuesday, and appeared to
continue to flatter runners with early speed when racing resumed on Thursday.
The track seemed to play uniformly on Friday and Saturday, with an edge to early
speed types on Sunday.
Closers did best over the turf course on Tuesday. However, the grass course
appeared basically bias free the rest of the week.
There did not appear to be any discernible path biases all week.
HORSES TO WATCH
Tuesday (11/8)
4TH – AL JOHNSTAN (Dixie Union) finished a troubled third off the layoff.
Stalked a very fast pace down the backstretch and was compromised by a lack of
racing room and an indecisive ride in the stretch. He probably would have been
second with clear sailing and has room to improve off this effort.
5TH – CHARLEVOIX (Boundary) was compromised by a wide trip from an outside
post. Closed gamely in the stretch to narrowly miss vs. a ground saving winning
favorite.
Thursday (11/10)
7TH – DOLL BABY (Citidancer) was caught a bit wide rallying around the far
turn off a layoff. Finished with good energy late to grab the place as the race
quickened late. Should have derived beneficial conditioning from this effort and
prefers to sit closer to the front end.
8TH – GENUINE TRUE (Yes It’s True) squandered a daylight lead over a course
playing favorably to stalkers. Laid down lively fractions stretching out to
seven furlongs and just failed to last. May be better suited to shorter sprints
in subsequent starts off the layoff.
Friday (11/11)
4TH – HOSTESS (Chester House) outran her 20-1 odds making her career debut.
Overcame a wide trip and a outside post to finish with good energy in an
encouraging third-place finish. Lack of education was evident in the stretch and
the juvenile filly should definitely benefit from her initial career experience.
8TH – UPTURN (Distorted Humor) turned in an improved runner-up finish
dropping in for a tag and returning to New York for Dutrow. Clearly second best
chasing home a loose wire-to-wire winner in a race that was fast throughout. Can
progress further off this effort.
Saturday (11/12)
4TH – LAPTOP COMPUTER (Notebook) turned in a creditable fourth-place effort
in her career debut. Held well chasing a very strong pace only to tire slowly in
deep stretch. Hails from a winning family and is bred to win early in her
career.
6TH – CHESTERTOWN SLEW (Seattle Slew) actually “kissed the ground” shortly
after leaving the gate. Virtually eliminated with a very awkward start and raced
“bottled up” toward the inside behind runners against a very deliberate pace. He
was never able to use his fine tactical speed and this effort is a complete
throw out.
8TH – Dreadnaught finished an even third with the addition of blinkers. Sat
close to a pedestrian pace and was unable to sustain his rally in the stretch.
May have lost a step this year, but both graded stakes victories in 2004 came
without the hood on.
Sunday (11/13)
2nd – CALLA LILY (Pulpit) offered a much improved effort in second career
start. Closed willingly to get the place in a swiftly run race. Should continue
to move forward with added distance and may eventually be switched to grass, as
her dam was at her best on turf.
8TH – Justawalkinthepark finished a useful third stepping up and facing
winners off a freshening. Stalked fast fractions on the front end and continued
on well late. May prefer to rate a bit before being asked for his best. Remains
eligible for a preliminary allowance event.