Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

MARCH 16, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

The inclement weather, which has plagued the Northeast all winter, continued

last week, forcing yet another delay in the opening of the Aqueduct main

track. Racing remained on the inner track and will continue to do so until this

upcoming Thursday. Friday has been designated the target day for switch in

surfaces, according to a recent announcement by NYRA.

The reason given for the most recent setback was that track superintendent

John Passero required additional time to remove all of the excess moisture from

the main track in order to properly contour the course for training, and

eventually for racing. As a result of this delay, both sprint stakes run this

past weekend were scaled back to six furlongs.

On a brighter note, 1ST post was pushed back to 1 p.m. (EST) as scheduled, a

telltale sign that spring is on its way. Now, if only the weather would cooperate.

The first sprint contest of the weekend was the Toboggan H. (G3) for

three-year-olds and up. The Scott Lake trained Shake You Down (Montbrook) was

bet down to favoritism in the race that featured just four betting interests.

Despite Shake You Down spurting away to a daylight lead down the backstretch,

PRIMARY SUSPECT (Hennessy) was able to overhaul the pacesetter in the stretch

and slowly edge away to late to post a 1 1/4-length victory.

The winner, trained

by Mark Hennig, had shipped into Aqueduct from Gulfstream Park where he had

just run a distant second to the freakishly fast Forest Danger (Forestry) in an

optional claiming event. He handled the bump up in class with relative ease

while registering his initial graded stakes success for owner/breeder Lee Lewis. Shake You Down barely held for second, finishing a neck in front of Houston's

Prayer (Houston) who closed belatedly. Papua (Louis Quartorze), who was part of

a three-ply entry, never really got untracked

and finished sixth in a dull effort.

Also carded on Saturday was the Broadway H. for New York-bred fillies

and mares. The race lacked a quality front runner, so when HIGH PEAKS (Peaks and

Valleys) was able to dictate a modest and controlled pace over the speed-favoring track, school was out. High Peaks, with eventual

second-place finisher Travelator (A.P Jet) applying only token pressure down the

backstretch, led the remainder of the field on a merry chase to the wire. The

rather ordinary fractions on the front end severely compromised the come-from-behind runners as they were unable to make any serious impact late.

Schemer (Concern) finished third after tracking the top pair from the outset

as Gold Like U (Gold Token), the 7-5 favorite in the Broadway, did not get the

necessary pace scenario to set up her late run and finished a non-threatening

fifth. The winner, trained by Tom Bush, who is enjoying a career meet over the

inner track this winter, recorded her initial stakes success while returning to

New York-bred company.

The main track played uniformly to begin the week, then became more favorable to closers on Friday. The opposite was true on Saturday as speed

ruled, with the track appearing basically bias free on Sunday. There was little

evidence of any path biases all week.

Richard Dutrow Jr. continues to hold down the top spot in the trainer's

standings, leading Gary Contessa and Bruce Levine by three wins. Lake dropped to

fourth while Michael Hushion remained in fifth.

Rafael Bejarano has leading rider honors sewn up, with Norberto Arroyo Jr.

the likely second-place finisher. Third place in the standings is still up for

grabs between Shaun Bridgmohan, Mike Luzzi and Richard Migliore.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (3/9)

4TH – PENNY PEQUOT (Waquoit) was a useful third in her debut for a barn that

rarely wins with first timers, especially at the maiden special weight level.

She held well chasing a lively early pace and figures to eventually stretch out to

dirt routes, where her dam and sire both excelled.

7TH – TALE OF WOE (Tale of the Cat) was a sharp second off a freshening for Dutrow. The gelding closed well to gain the place despite an outside post in a

race that finished up well late. Seven furlongs over the Aqueduct main track

should fit him like a glove.

9TH – ILLUSTRIOUS KISS (Kissin Kris) came off a horrendous effort off the

shelf while dropping and suffered a tough trip here, breaking awkwardly and

being steadied shortly thereafter.

The sophomore was a bit rank racing down the backstretch and was stuck in cramped

quarters between rivals in the stretch while awaiting racing room. He gained the place when finally clear and was probably best in a swiftly run race.

Thursday (3/10)

2ND – GOLD ENDING (Precise End) turned in a good effort off a much needed layoff,

finishing with interest late while chasing home an odds-on winning favorite who

set modest fractions on the front end. He should fit well at the 20K maiden

claiming level.

9TH – CROP BUSTER (Raffie's Majesty) exhibited surprise early speed to

contend for the lead versus a superior speed rival. He was understandably tired

late in a much improved showing.

Friday (3/11)

2ND – PREVIOUS SELECTION (Tank's Number) ran "sneaky well" returning to a

sprint on the drop. The filly futilely chased an odds-on superior speed rival

who set a lively pace and was understandably tired in the drive in her first

sprint effort in nearly six weeks. She exits a race that was quick for the class

level.

Saturday (3/12)

5TH – CHANCEUX VOUS (Gone for Real) showed a much improved effort making his

second start off a long layoff. The colt was "bottled up" racing between and

behind rivals down the backstretch, eventually steadied off a another runner's

heel's on the far turn and was caught in tight quarters once again in the

stretch. He closed with good energy while second best when finally clear and

might benefit from a cutback in distance.

6TH – AFLEET FORCE (Northern Afleet) was a creditable third in his career

debut at long odds. He rallied nicely from well off the early pace on a speed

conducive track in a race that was extremely quick for the class level. Three-year-old hails from a winning family and is bred to win early in his

career.

Sunday (3/13)

3RD – SEARCHFOR DIAMONDS (Regal Search) was clearly second best off a

freshening. Forced to chase a loose speed setting a comfortable pace on the

front end, she might benefit from a class drop back down to $25,000 claimers.

7TH – DASL CAMMY (Gold Token) carved out very enterprising fractions

stretching out to a distance of ground, but had little left in the stretch to

fend off the odds-on winning favorite, salvaging the place in the end. All three

victories thus far have come at six furlongs and she would probably benefit from

a cut back in distance.