AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
MARCH 12, 2009
by Albie Johnson
Racing action this past week featured the first two graded stakes to be run
in New York in 2009. On Saturday, the Gotham S. (G3) featured a field of nine
three-year-olds, with runners shipping in from all parts of the country to contest the
$250,000 stakes going 1 1/16 miles. Unfortunately, there was little drama
involved with I WANT REVENGE (Stephen Got Even) looking like a winner from the
time they straightened down the backstretch.
The California shipper from the barn of
Jeff Mullins moved up to put some pressure on the early leader well before the
half, and was under a stout hold by jockey Joe Talamo at that point. The bay colt
made his move as they approached the top of the stretch and went by early
leader Mr. Fantasy (E Dubai), who offered no resistance. From that point, it was
only a question of how much he’d win by, and the answer was 8 1/2 lengths. The final
time was 1:42.65, and, obviously could have been faster under different
circumstances. I Want Revenge, who had moved into stakes on the West Coast right after his
maiden win, obviously loved the conventional dirt surface and now looks toward
the Wood Memorial (G1) on April 4 as his next target. Of the vanquished, Haynesfield (Speightstown) was the most disappointing runner, as he had won
three stakes in a row and had shown a fondness for the inner dirt.
One race earlier on the card, the Toboggan S. (G3) drew a field of nine seeking the
winner’s share of the $110,700 purse in this once very important six-furlong
event.
The race featured a fast/contested pace (:44.77) and no less than five separate
leaders until Maryland-based AH DAY (Malibu Moon) came charging down the center
of the track to get up to win by a head in the last few strides. The multiple
stakes winner hadn’t raced since last August, but had been training both fast
and frequently at trainer King Leatherbury’s homebase of Laurel. He defeated
fellow mid-Atlantic shipper Eternal Star (Five Star Day), who did everything right
but had to settle for second place. Apprentice Sheldon Russell won the biggest race
of his career with the well-timed late move.
An interesting overnight feature on Sunday for older fillies and mares was won
in convincing style by WINNING POINT (Point Given). The chestnut mare had finished
second in three Grade 2 events back in 2007 — the Comely, Black-Eyed Susan and Delaware Oaks. Heading into this, she had only started twice since July of
’07,
with the most recent being a poor effort last August at Saratoga. It was a nice training
job by Kiaran McLaughlin to have her ready to win around two turns off the
layoff, and the lightly raced runner would be a welcome addition to the rather depleted
ranks of older distaffers around here.
Track Conditions
Another week of nothing but fast tracks and a surface that again played
fairly, but did favor horses racing near the front ,or just off the top, in most
of the distance events.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (3/4)
6TH — After encountering trouble in his last pair, trainer Bruce Levine
dropped SEEYOUATSERGIOS (Crafty C. T.) into a claimer and he ran a much improved
second. Outrun early while saving ground, he swung out turning for home and rallied
strongly for the place. The chestnut shouldn’t be long in winning
7TH — Claimed out of his last race, DOUBLE DOWN VINMAN (Out Of Place) was coming back from a 45-day
layoff and ran his third strong race in a row. Breaking from
an outside post, he pressed the pace while wide, fought to a slight advantage in
late stretch, then was out-finished by three parts of a length. He tries
his hardest every trip to the post.
Thursday (3/5)
1ST — New York-bred filly RIGHTLY SO (Read the Footnotes) looked like a
future stakes winner in annexing this entry-level allowance. She went right to
the front and scored wire-to-wire while under no pressure from her rider whatsoever.
Caught in her debut in the last few strides, she has now won two in a row by
daylight margins. She’ll be headed for stakes soon.
6TH — Trainer Barclay Tagg did not leave a string here this winter, so he
even took his New York-bred runners to Florida to prepare them for spring
campaigns. After tiring in a pair of maiden special weight races against open foes, he shipped
EXTINGUISH (Hook and Ladder) north and the dark bay finished a solid second here with a wide late move
while running under conditioner David Duggan’s name. The sophomore breaks his maiden next out.
Friday (3/6)
5TH — Returning from a long layoff, WUNDELIA (Chi) (Denver County) had trouble for
the third straight time at this level. She was bumped and snatched up at the
start, saved ground while well back, and could only offer a mild rally into a
tepid pace. Give her one more shot.
8TH — After breaking his maiden last out, the improving HAITIAN SENSATION
(Petionville) ran a fine race in his first try against winners. Breaking from the
rail, he saved ground throughout racing inside of another runner for four furlongs
while chasing a wire-to-wire winner. Jockey Ramon Dominguez tried to ease him
out earlier, but could not find clear sailing until midstretch, and the colt could
make no headway once clear.
Saturday (3/7)
6TH — COUNTER MOVE (Vindication) broke his maiden at Turfway Park in his
debut run on November 30. His owner/breeder must have liked what he saw, so he
sent the gray colt to the barn of Kiaran McLaughlin sometime after his fine
unveiling. Facing winners for the first time, Counter Move broke in stride and was never
threatened in going gate-to-wire. It was a visually impressive win and it will be
interesting to follow this undefeated colt.
8TH — Empire State-bred DRIVEN BY SUCCESS (Precise End) was favored in this year’s
edition of the Toboggan, but the speedy gelding had a poor break when going slightly in
the air, rushed up under heavy pressure from his rail post, and actually held
well to be beaten only 3 1/4 lengths in fifth. He deserves another chance.
Sunday (3/8)
5TH — Making her first start since mid-November, HENNESSY BEAUTY (Hennessy)
battled with the heavy favorite and eventual winner until the head of the lane
and tired back into fourth. She should be a win threat next out at the same tag.
Upcoming Events
On Saturday, the $100,000 Cicada S. (G3) for three-year-old fillies going six
furlongs is scheduled to take place.
Have a nice week!