AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
MAY 2, 2014
by John Mucciolo
There was no graded racing during the final week of racing
at Aqueduct.
Track Stats
A total of 46 races were held over the main oval at the
Jamaica, New York, venue, with favorites winning at a 37 percent rate and the top
two betting choices combining for 70 percent of the wins during the week. From
35 races on the main oval, eight animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (23
percent). One of the 11 races on the lawn was taken all the way on the front end
(9 percent).
We witnessed horses lead throughout on the main oval in
both sprint and route races, as well as closing types coming through over both
routes of ground. We have to say the oval played fairly all week, especially
with 70 percent of the races taken by one of the top two favorites.
Look for a lot of the same at Belmont Park, where all
runners have a fair chance over the spacious “Big Sandy” main surface, often
leading to a lot of well-bet winners.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 210 | |
| TURF: | 24 | |
| DIRT: | 186 | |
| FAVORITES: | 87 (41 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 52 (25 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 4 (17 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 52 (28 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (4/23)
5TH — SINATRA (Harlan’s Holiday) tracked the pace, took a
bit to get into his best late stride, but really leveled off nicely in the final
stages to win his second straight for conditioner Jimmy Jerkens. The Florida
import looked to have a bit more after crossing the wire and is in very good
current form.
9TH — THATZA WRAP (Hard Spun) was well poised from the
early stages and accelerated on cue to gamely hold off a stern test late in a
very good return to the races for trainer John Kimmel. The sophomore filly was
professional and could be stronger next out in making just her first run since
November in this spot.
Thursday (4/24)
5TH — CLOTURE (Political Force) was stuck behind very
modest early fractions while well back early, but the Shug McGaughey trainee put
in a fine late run to fall just a pair of necks shy of the win. Tab this
four-year-old filly for a graduating run in the very near future.
7TH — KHARAFA (Kitalpha) came up just shy of the win but did not disgrace
himself at all in finishing well clear of second in a stakes-quality allowance
field for trainer Timmy Hills. The five-year-old gelding could be stakes bound
in his subsequent outing.
Friday (4/25)
5TH — CAMDEN STREET (Elusive Quality) did get away with pedestrian splits on
the front end of this allowance tally, but the sophomore still impressed in
getting his final five-sixteenths in a snappy :29 4/5 under the guidance of Joe
Bravo. The Todd Pletcher pupil likely will have to run faster early in his
comeback race, but we like this developing youngster.
6TH — SMASHING (Malibu Moon) left little doubt in this
maiden dash when busting out to a big lead and never looking back in the most
facile of wins. The Jerkens-trained filly stopped the teletimer for six
panels in a sharp 1:09, one of the faster races we’ve seen at the distance on
this circuit.
8TH — AUSSI AUSTIN (Forestry) returns to this list
following another superb run for trainer David Jacobson, running this field off
their proverbial feet in a putting in a dominant winning performance. The
razor-sharp six-year-old clocked a mile on the fast main oval in 1:34 2/5 and
could be a stakes performer next out.
Saturday (4/26)
7TH — SWELL (Langfuhr) didn’t have a big chance running
down the 2-5 winner, but the sophomore colt finished up well to be a clear
second for trainer Peter Pugh, and he looms a big chance if in with similar next
time on this oval.
Sunday (4/27)
3RD — Graded winner VYJACK (Into Mischief) made a
successful return to the races for conditioner Rudy Rodriguez and we hope to see
a lot more of this talented four-year-old. The gelded Kentucky-bred was not at
his best, which is understandable being off since July, but he showed a nice
turn of foot and should only build upon this one as the season unfolds.
7TH — SISTER MARGARET (Pulpit) was live at the tote for her
debut run and deservedly so, as the Nicolas Esler first-time starter made a big
run in the lane to come out a winner beneath Irad Ortiz Jr. The chestnut filly
didn’t show a lot of early foot, but managed to get her final two furlongs in a
very solid :23 4/5, and she appears to have a bright future.
A Look Ahead
The action shifted to Belmont Park on Thursday. Saturday will play host to a pair of graded stakes races
— the Grade 3,
$150,000 Fort Marcy Handicap and Grade 3, $150,000 Beaugay Stakes.