Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

FEBRUARY 16, 2012

by John Mucciolo

There was no graded racing this week at Aqueduct.

Track Stats

A total of 46 races were held over Jamaica, New York venue, with favorites

winning at a 41 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 61

percent of the wins during the week. From 46 races on the main oval, 16 animals

won in wire-to-wire fashion (35 percent). There was no turf racing held this

past week.

Favorites and early speed continue to do well at this meeting, but we did

witness a bunch of horses rallying from well back to get the job done during the

past week. The main oval played pretty evenly for the most part, with speed

slightly better on Saturday and Sunday.

Meet Totals

RACES:		570
DIRT:		513
TURF:		57
FAVORITES:		226 (40 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		128 (22 percent)
TURF WIRE:		4 (7 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		132 (26 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (2/8)

4TH -- QUIET MAN proved tons the best in this one for trainer Eddie

Kenneally, coming home in a solid closing rush under Ramon Dominguez. The

sophomore should be very tough next time, likely with starter foes.

8TH -- STAR OF NEW YORK looked the part in winning his second in succession

for trainer Richard Dutrow, getting his final quarter mile in a swift :23 3/5 in

this outing. The Five Star Day gelding beat a solid field and might be in line

for a stakes run next time.

Thursday (2/9)

2ND -- The Chad Brown-trained ZERO YIELD improved off of a runner-up showing

last time to top this group in smart fashion, drawing clear by 3 3/4 lengths

late. The four-year-old miss should fit well with a first-level allowance field

in her return.

3RD -- ONE LAST DANCE needed very step of the lane to get up in this one, and

showed good courage in this narrow tally for conditioner Dale Romans. The useful

filly went a bit wide turning for home but would not be denied under David

Cohen.

Friday (2/10)

3RD --HARDENED WILDCAT had to work really hard to take this at short odds,

but we really liked the way the gelding leveled off late when switching leads

inside the final furlong. We wouldn't be surprised to see this one test his

class with stakes foes in the very near future.

Saturday (2/11)

4TH -- CORDEROSA was valiant in defeat in this dash, fighting back in the

stretch before falling just a neck short under the wire. The David Donk pupil

has a fine combination of speed and tenacity.

5TH -- STREET LIFE showed nothing early on but surely picked up the pace in

this test for Brown, rolling home past this field in a dominating late run. The

late blooming colt could evolve into a good one.

9TH -- PRETENSION was always traveling well in this contest and stayed on

well when challenged some in the lane in posting a professional score under

Javier Santiago. The Christopher Grove charge earned a solid Late Pace number

and should be up to handling more ground.

Sunday (2/12)

2ND -- The well-bred DOWN BY LAW chased a clear leader and wore that one down

late in a solid maiden conquer for trainer Todd Pletcher. The talented sophomore

Awesome Again filly is bred to run all day and will surely be pointed at some

stakes races this spring and summer.

8TH -- MISCHIEF MAKER had no chance with the top pair over an oval that was

playing to speed some, but the Bruce Brown charge rallied well to be well clear

in third, more than six lengths ahead of her nearest foe. We'll watch her

closely in the near future, especially if she tries the lawn.

A Look Ahead

There $75,000 Stymie Handicap on Saturday, and Monday's $75,000 Hollie Hughes

Stakes are the stakes events for this weekend at the Big A.