AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
DECEMBER 5, 2013
by John Mucciolo
A slew of major racing took place at the Big A over the Holiday Weekend.
Cigar Mile (G1): Preston Stables LLC’s FLAT OUT (Flatter) ranged into
contention in early stretch and wore down his foes en route to a 1 1/4-length
score for conditioner Bill Mott. The hard-trying seven-year-old defeated an
outstanding field in the weekend feature and finished off one mile on the fast
main track in 1:34 3/5 with Junior Alvarado in the irons.
Remsen S. (G2): Lane’s End and Dell Ridge Farm’s HONOR CODE (A.P.
Indy) was closer than usual in second early, got passed in early stretch but
battled back to get up late by a nose under Javier Castellano. The Shug
McGaughey trainee stopped the teletimer in 1:52 4/5 for the 1 1/8 miles.
Demoiselle S. (G2): Mike Repole’s STOPCHARGINGMARIA (Tale of the Cat)
tracked in second to the top of the lane, took the lead in midstretch and held
on gamely late beneath Castellano. The Todd Pletcher trainee endured nine
furlongs on the main oval in 1:52 3/5.
Go for Wand S. (G2): James Riccio’s ROYAL LAHAINA (Chapel Royal) swept
to the front in early stretch and held a safe margin throughout the lane in
posting a 2 1/2-length upset for trainer Todd Pletcher. The five-year-old mare
went one mile in 1:36 2/5 under Irad Ortiz Jr.
Comely S. (G3): Godolphin homebred WEDDING TOAST (Street Sense) sped
to the front soon after the start and gamely held off a stubborn foe for much of
the stretch to post a head score under Castellano, who won a total of five races
on Saturday. The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained sophomore filly clocked nine panels
in 1:49 4/5.
Fall Highweight H. (G3): Antonio Miuccio’s PALACE (City Zip) rated
kindly near midpack early on and put in a fine closing burst to win by 1 1/2
lengths under Cornelio Velasquez. Trained by Linda Rice, the four-year-old colt
sped six panels in a swift 1:09 4/5.
Track Stats
A total of 38 races were held at the Jamaica, New York venue, with favorites
winning at a 37 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 58
percent of the wins during the week. From 36 races on the main oval, seven
animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (19 percent), while none of the two races on
the lawn was taken all the way on the front.
The main oval played mostly fairly all week on the oft-wet main surface, with
Thursday being best for the speed types with four wire jobs from nine races. We
didn’t see speed dominate the rest of the week, but as we’ve stated earlier,
with so many winning favorites we can not call the main course biased. Stalking
or pressing the tempo off the rail still seems like the best strategy.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 189 | |
| DIRT: | 143 | |
| TURF: | 46 | |
| FAVORITES: | 73 (39 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 42 (23 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 1 (2 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 24 (16 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (11/28)
4TH — LEROY JR. (Leroidesanimaux) took command early and drew off to a fine
tally for conditioner Chad Brown. The four-year-old gelding came home in a
strong :24 2/5 under mild urging and gave the impression of a runner who could
run farther for sure.
Friday (11/29)
1ST — KNOCKHER OFF (Unbridled’s Song) chased the early leader nearly every
step of the way and the three-year-old bravely got a nose down on the line in a
spirited allowance score under Junior Alvarado. The James Jerkens trainee has
now won two in a row and could progress into a good one with more efforts like
this one.
3RD — SEEKER (Hard Spun) took a short lead turning for home and held off a
trio of challenges for much of the stretch in a very courageous tally for Steve
Asmussen. The four-year-old gelding continues his strong form run, finishing in
the money in seven of eight races in 2013.
7TH — KEEP RIGHT (Street Cry) dueled for the lead, took over the top spot in
the lane and battled on well to be a fine second in a very good debut run.
Trainer John Kimmel is not known for his prowess with first timers, so we’ll
keep a close eye on this juvenile filly going forward.
Saturday (11/30)
2ND — DAME DOROTHY (Bernardini) broke slowest of all but gained some
momentum approaching the turn for home and proved best in a sharp debut tally
beneath Javier Castellano. The Todd Pletcher pupil is kin to a Group 1 winner on
the lawn and we expect her to be a very versatile performer with expected
progression. We’re always fond of debut winners that score at seven furlongs, as
well.
5TH — JUBA (Tapit) had no chance with the sharp winner but ran a big one in
his first career outing, falling just a head shy of second for James Jerkens,
who is superb with second-time starters. We envision this one graduating before
long.
6TH — GOT LUCKY (A.P. Indy) was a bit unlucky to be second and seems to have
a very bright future. We assume she will be among the top sophomore fillies in
2014 with steady improvement.
Sunday (12/1)
8TH — LONG RIVER (A.P. Indy) is really starting to put it all together and
the colt could be a useful handicap horse next year with continued improvement.
The sophomore is bred to be a real nice one and to get better with age, and we
have a hunch he just might for McLaughlin.
A Look Ahead
No graded races are carded for this weekend at Aqueduct.