AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
APRIL 20, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
Less than three weeks remain for the Aqueduct spring meet as turf racing
finally made its much anticipated return last Friday. Three maiden special
weight events were run that day, and regardless of the level of competition, it
was a welcome sight for the New York faithful to view horses competing over a
grassy surface.
Be that as it may, Saturday’s feature race was run over the main track as
three-year-old fillies contested the Comely S. (G2) at a flat mile. With
shippers coming in from Florida, Maryland and Philadelphia, handicappers found
that selecting a favorite was as difficult a task as isolating the likely
winner. In the final minutes of wagering, the public gravitated to Pleasant
Chimes (Pleasant Tap), who was installed as the 2-1 public choice. However,
she could do no better than third as ACEY DUECEY (Abaginone) continued her
forward level of progression to win going away by a half-length.
Rating in sixth position early, Acey Duecey was simply biding her time down
the backstretch under jockey Diane Nelson. When given her cue by Nelson, the
John Morrison-trained runner engaged the leaders in the stretch and then
sustained that rally, wearing down a stubborn Seeking The Ante (Seeking the
Gold) as they reached the wire. The runner-up acquitted herself quite well in
defeat, stalking the early pace before seizing command in the stretch. She
obviously outran her 15-1 odds even though she weakened slightly late.
Pleasant
Chimes failed to show her customary early speed when she stumbled shortly after
the break. She trailed the field early on and proceeded to improve her position
down the backstretch. The favorite finished with interest in the stretch, but
lacked the necessary punch late. Toll Taker (Bernstein), the 4-1 third choice,
was forced to steady a bit in the vicinity of the far turn. She failed to
advance thereafter, dropping back to finish last.
Acey Deucey recorded her second stakes win versus open company with her
Comely victory. This graded stakes success was the first for the New York-bred,
and it also marked her initial victory beyond seven furlongs.
The main track played uniformly to begin the week. However, runners from
slightly off the pace seemed to prosper on Friday. There were no perceivable
trends over the weekend and no path biases all week. The turf played slightly to
speed on Friday and Saturday, but seemed honest on Sunday.
Richard Migliore is still out in front in the race for leading jockey, with
Shaun Bridgmohan and Channing Hill in a dead-lock for second. Rafael Bejarano,
who is riding at Keeneland at the present time, dropped to fourth and Jose Santos
now holds down the fifth spot.
Richard Dutrow Jr. and Mike Hushion are on even terms in the trainer
standings, with Gary Contessa, James Jerkens and Scott Lake trailing the top
pair by three victories.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (4/13)
2ND – BLEACHER CREATURE (Yankee Victor) came in a sharp second dropping down
to the 18K level. The four-year-old colt showed an improved turn of foot to
contest the early pace. He dropped back approaching the far turn and was forced
to check when placed in tight quarters along the rail before re-rallying in the
stretch and finishing well to chase home a perfect trip winner.
5TH – PRIZE ROSE (Helmsman) had to overcome a tough task breaking from the
rail out of the chute as the favorite. She was bumped leaving the gate and
veered towards the left as a result, losing position. This caused her to be
badly outrun before making a menacing move on the far turn and into the stretch
while wide versus a strong pace. The mare understandably weakened in the stretch under
pressure, and she should be more well suited to a flat mile at either Aqueduct
or Belmont Park.
Thursday (4/14)
3RD – CRAFTY PLAYER (Crafty Prospector) has been ambitiously spotted in both
efforts returning to the Aqueduct main track by Dutrow. He held gamely vying for
the lead while lapped on the eventual winner throughout and would benefit from a
little class relief.
4TH – SNOWMAN (Abaginone) comes off an extremely impressive win in his well
bet/well meant career debut. Rocketing to the lead after leaving the gate, the
colt was never seriously challenged. He is bred top and bottom to excel in dirt
sprints and can win right back if properly spotted.
Friday (4/15)
9TH – PANAGIS (Dixie Brass) showed dramatic improvement making his second
start on grass. The gelding closed with good energy to chase home a daylight
winner despite a bit of a wide trip in a race that quickened late. His dam did
her best work in turf routes.
Saturday (4/16)
4TH – RUMSPRINGA (Siphon) had an unlucky second place finish returning to a
dirt sprint. Compromised by stumbling and a bumping incident at the break, the
sophomore colt closed well despite racing a bit wide in the stretch to drop a
head decision. He may have finally found his niche, sprinting at seven furlongs.
7TH – NAZDA JET (Dance Brightly) showed a dramatic form reversal when
switching to grass. The three-year-old set a pressured pace when he was hounded
by the eventual winner who was extremely impressive in victory. The colt gave
ground grudgingly once displaced on the front end. His dam’s lone win came on
grass, and his sire’s dam, Dance Smartly (Danzig), excelled on turf and hails
from a family of grass winners.
Sunday (4/17)
1ST – CAPE GOOD HOPE (CAPE TOWN) was compromised by loose a front runner who
set a pedestrian pace and then was unable to reduce his deficit in a race that
quickened noticeably late. He would prefer a flat mile and a switch to a more
aggressive rider.
5TH – MR. KRUSH (Conquistador Cielo) came in a good fourth making his debut
on grass. He improved his position from the back of the pack, beaten just a
length for the place despite an ordinary pace up front. His dam has already
produced a turf winner and he seems better to suited to grass.