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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK NOVEMBER 13, 2008 by Albie Johnson One graded stakes race, a pair of promising two-year-olds, and "foul" weather were the dominant factors during the past week of racing. Rain began to fall on Thursday and did so again on Saturday, forcing the shifting of many scheduled turf events to the main track and Saturday's Red Smith H.(G2) to be contested on a "yielding" course. Jayeff B Stable's STRIKE A DEAL ( Smart Strike), who had placed in seven previous graded events without winning, took care of that detail with an authoritative seven-length score in the $150,000 event. The bay colt raced well out in the course, rallied strongly on the final turn and drew away in the last eighth, proving clearly best as he relished the moisture-laden infield. He's proven a steady and reliable turf performer over the past two seasons and trainer Alan Goldberg was pleased that the hard-hitter had finally won a graded contest. Charles (C,C.) Lopez was aboard and the final time over the 11 furlongs was 2:23.28. On Wednesday, AMERICAN DANCE (A.P. Indy), a home-bred from Edward P. Evans and trained by Todd Pletcher, broke his maiden in very professional style. The gray colt rated just off the pace in the mile contest, commenced a rally past the three-eighths pole and despite "lugging-in" and a midstretch "bumping" incident, drove to the lead in the last sixteenth. The big, long-striding individual got the mile in 1:39.32 and may have a bright future. Sunday's card was highlighted by SOUTHERN CHARMER (Dixie Union), a two-year-old filly who impressed in her maiden win over a very well-bred group "hailing" from many of the top barns. She broke alertly and had early control, was challenged to her inside by a rival for three furlongs, put that one away turning for home and drew off smartly on the track labeled "good." Fractions were fast and the final time for the six panels was a lively 1:10.80. The filly is owned by Edgewood Farm and trained by Seth Benzel (former Pletcher assistant). Track Stats The main track was fast on Wednesday and played fairly. This racing day was only one of two during the race week that did not lose any turf races to the elements. Turf was firm and as usual on this "tight" course it favored those near the top or just of it. Thursday's card lost all the grass races to the rain and the main-track was sealed prior to the first race and listed as "muddy." Speed, or those racing near the front and "covered-up," proved most successful. Friday's track was labeled "good' to start the day and the turf was the same. Early speed dominated the first part of the main-track races, but as the surface dried out and went to "fast" for the 6TH race, runners racing off the pace took over the remainder of the program. The two turf events went to one runner that stalked the pace, and the other winner went wire-to-wire. On Saturday, heavy rain forced the sealing of the track and all but one turf race (the feature) was "switched" to the main surface. Inside paths were poor all day and track favored those who stalked the pace and were in the center of the racing surface. Turf was "yielding" and the winner of the only contest raced wide and rallied well out in the course. Sunday the main-track started as "good," but sunshine and strong winds dried the surface out quickly. For the most part, speed or those racing just off the top were successful. Grass course was listed as "yielding" and both races that stayed on ( state-bred stallion stakes) going to runners who raced well-back early. HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (11/5) 7TH -- NEVER RETREAT (Smart Strike) made her turf debut a winning one and was visually impressive in doing so. Stakes placed earlier in the year on the dirt, she rated early, split horses, switched to the inside and proved best while drawing off. She looks to have a bright future on the infield . 9TH -- PARAIBA (Freud) stalked the pace while well-out in the turf course, grinded her way to the top in midstretch, fought back gamely when confronted, and was passed in the last stride by a filly rallying from far-back. David Donk trained lass won't be long in winning. Thursday (11/6) 5TH -- CHARGING HERO (Formal Gold) ran" too good to lose." Stalked while wide in the 7 1/2-furlong race, bid strongly on the turn into the stretch to reach the lead and was run-down late by a lightly raced dropper from the Shadwell operation. Clears this NW2l condition next out at this tag ($35,000). 7TH -- SEVENTH STREET (Street Cry [Ire]) was very impressive breaking her maiden in her second lifetime start. A $1 million purchase as a two-year-old in 2007, she is owned by Darley Stables and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin. Filly raced mid-pack while wide, made a sweeping rush at the quarter-pole to reach the top, and drew off under a hand ride. Opposition wasn't much, but she did it like a pro. Friday (11/7) 1ST -- CLEVER MARTINI (Lion Hearted) had a very poor getaway, "bobbling" and being "bumped" heavily at the start, stayed wide while under restraint, attempted a sweeping move and "flattened" out a bit late to finish fourth. He was only beaten 5 1/2 lengths, and deserved a better fate. 6TH -- FIGGY'S FREUD (Freud) didn't break all that alertly, was very wide the entire race and only managed a "minor" rally. Two-turns on the inner surface may be in his future. Saturday (11/8) 2ND -- FOOTNOTE THIS (Read the Footnotes) battled from the inside (which was not the place to be), fought hard for three furlongs and was "wrapped up on" turning for home. Race was his first since Saratoga and Pletcher-trained runner may have needed the effort. Sunday (11/9) 1ST -- TIGER D.R. (Tiger Ridge) had a rough start, quickly engaged for the lead, fought a pace battle throughout and held gamely for the place, giving way late to a heavily runner who was coming off a stakes win at Mountaineer. Should win son at a mile or 8 1/2 furlongs. 4TH -- HEAD HEART HOOF (Intidab) had a very strange trip. Speedball was never involved, running rank the whole race and unable to keep a straight path. Possible it was an equipment problem, or maybe he just had a bad day. Pays to see if jockey John Velazquez takes a reride. Have a nice week!
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