AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
DECEMBER 21, 2006
by Bernard T. Moore
Once again, a reminder to all that Aqueduct is closed this week, and racing
will not be held at the track until December 27. Simulcasting is affected as
well.
On Saturday, VICTORY POOL (Victory Gallop), who had always run well over the
Aqueduct inner dirt track in the past, was finally able to register a win
over that surface, annexing the Gold Beauty S. by 1 1/2 lengths. With jockey Eibar Coa in the saddle, the chestnut miss wrestled the lead away from a
beleaguered Samsincharge (Dixie Brass) past the eighth pole, and subsequently
drew clear in deep stretch. Victory Pool recorded her initial stakes success for
owner New Farm. Dina (Dynaformer) rallied belatedly to get second, with
Samsincharge tiring to third. Pleasant Chimes (Pleasant Tap) was one-paced
throughout and finished fourth in another non-descript effort.
BISHOP COURT HILL (Holy Bull) left the gate on top in the Gravesend H. (G3),
and then proceeded to show his heels to the competition for the entire six
furlongs, taking the Sunday feature by one length. The Todd Pletcher-trained
runner was nursed along on the lead by stable rider John Velazquez down the
backstretch, and continued dictate the pace into the stretch. He responded
willingly when set down in the drive by Velazquez, fending off late bids by
Santana Strings (Wheaton) and Will He Shine (Silver Deputy). Santana Strings
saved ground while tracking the early pace and finished with interest to
garner the place. Will He Shine raced closest to the winner from the outset, but
lacked the necessary response to improve his position in the stretch. Judiths
Wild Rush (Wild Rush), the 9-2 third choice in the wagering, was without speed
and failed to make an impact.
The inner dirt track appeared to play quite evenly on Wednesday and Thursday.
However, a severe speed bias emerged on Friday, and the track was speed oriented
once again on Sunday. The inside paths were best on Friday and Sunday.
Horses to Watch
Wednesday (12/13)
2ND – ZEYARAAT (Gulch) was a much improved third making her second lifetime
start. The dark bay miss exhibited new-found early speed to chase a quick pace,
and then held reasonably well late. She appears to have room to show further
progress off this effort.
6TH – OLIVERS SUCCESS (Oliver’s Twist) was a heartbreaking second on
the drop. He was forced to change lanes attempting to rally in the stretch,
costing him valuable momentum as he finished gamely to lose by less than a
length. The five-year-old fits well at the $20,000 claiming level.
Thursday (12/14)
3RD – CASANOVA STORY (Stormin Fever) ran a good second returning to the inner
dirt track. The sophomore lass was hindered by a deliberate pace and lacked
clear sailing attempting to rally. She closed with interest to get the place in
a race that quickened late.
Friday (12/15)
7TH – DUKE’S CROSSING (Valley Crossing) was forced to race wide while
rallying against the grain of a inside speed biased track. He did well to get
the show and obviously needs a better setup going forward. The dark bay likes
this track and would benefit from a cutback in distance.
9TH – STELLIANOS (Belong To Me) put forth a much improved effort on the drop.
The gelding closed with good energy to nearly get the place over a very speed
conducive track. He adores the inner track and fits well vs. $16,000 restricted
claimers.
Saturday (12/16)
3RD – BIG BAD MONSTER (Meadow Monster) closed well late for third on the drop
and returning to a sprint. Off this much improved showing, the chestnut clearly
demonstrated that his best trip is six furlongs on a dry track.
4TH – CITIFEST (Citidancer) failed once more around turns on the main track.
The juvenile colt failed to ‘kick in’ in the stretch despite sitting a perfect
stalking trip. He obviously has distance limitations and might get back on track
in a sprint.
Sunday (12/17)
6TH – UPSCALE STORM (Storm Cat) had a beneficial education race in her
well-bet career debut. She chased a quick pace in a very swiftly run race and
tired. The chestnut lass should have derived beneficial conditioning/experience
from this effort.
8TH – Will He Shine put forth a fine effort stepping up off a more than
six-week freshening. He was clearly a tad short chasing a superior pace rival
who wired the field over a speed favoring track. The chestnut will obviously be
much fitter in his next start.