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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK DECEMBER 4, 2008 by Albie Johnson Four graded stakes, a disqualification, a budding two-year-old star, and a pair of tragedies all were interwoven in the past week of racing at the "Big A." Cigar Mile (G1): The highlight of the week's action drew a nice mix of three-year-olds and older performers, coming from both the sprinting and distance running categories. The pace was fast in the $300,000 contest and it became apparent as they headed toward the three-eighths pole that runners from the back of the pack would decide the outcome. A pair of three-year-olds, TALE OF EKATI (Tale of the Cat) and Harlem Rocker (Macho Uno), picked up the tempo, with the latter enjoying "first-run" and opening up a clear lead in midstretch. Meanwhile, Tale of Ekati was closing resolutely up the inside when Harlem Rocker moved inward just as they reached the eighth pole, forcing that runner to alter course and swing around to the outside of his rival. The two colts staged a "furious" finish with "Rocker" having his "nose" in front on the wire. However, the stewards quickly posted the inquiry sign, which was followed by a claim of foul by Edgar Prado the rider of the runner-up. After about five minutes of deliberation, the placings were reversed, with Tale of Ekati being declared the victor. The winner, who was coming off a career best in taking the Jerome H.(G2) at Belmont in early October, is trained by Barclay Tagg and the bay colt covered eight furlongs in 1:35.01. Race was marred by the breakdown of veteran Wanderin Boy (Seeking the Gold), who was unfortunately euthanized. Remsen S. (G2): This fixture on the NYRA calendar has been the stepping stone for many juveniles who have gone on to three-year-old stardom in the past. It would be no surprise if this year's winner, OLD FASHIONED (Unbridled's Song), adds his name to that long list. Gray colt remained undefeated with an easy wire-to-wire triumph in which jockey Ramon Dominguez had him "under wraps" for the last quarter-mile. Final time for the nine-furlong contest was an excellent 1:50.33 and could have been much faster if so desired. In picking up the major share of the $200,000 purse, colt could have trainer Larry Jones thinking of the Kentucky Derby (G1), where he has finished second the past two years. Demoiselle S. (G2): Longtime companion feature to the Remsen, the nine-furlong event for two-year-old fillies was won in impressive fashion by Canadian invader SPRINGSIDE (Awesome Again), who was making her first start on "conventional" dirt after having raced at Woodbine on both turf and "poly". Filly has improved with each increase in distance and trainer Josie Carroll decided to take a chance a see what kind of filly she is. Rated in last by jockey Garret Gomez in the six-horse field, she commenced a powerful rally with a sweeping move on the far turn, reached the front at the quarter-pole and drew away to a 9 1/2-length win. However, in pulling up past the wire, she suffered multiple fractures in her right front pastern. Her condition was listed as "guarded," and of course everything is being done that is possible to save her life at this point. Top Flight H. (G2): A field of eight fillies and mares faced the starter in this $150,000 "flat" mile contest and race featured a solid pace with fast interior fractions. LEAH'S SECRET (Tiger Ridge) took full advantage of her inside post, tracking the fast pace , and catching a huge break as they approached the head of the stretch. Several runners who had "prompted" the pace on the outside, suddenly dropped back and left a lot of room for jockey Eibar Coa to ease her around the top pair and "set sail" for the wire. Mare still had a lot of work to do, but she wore down the front runner late and prevailed by three-quarters of a length. Veteran is trained by Todd Pletcher and the bay runner covered a mile in 1:36.40. Fall Highweight H.: FABULOUS STRIKE (Smart Strike) rebounded from a subpar effort in the Breeder's Cup Sprint (G1) by quickly sprinting clear under Dominguez, getting away with a rather "soft" first quarter-mile in :22.19, and facing no serious challenge from that point on. Final margin in the $111,200 event was a comfortable 1 1/2 lengths. Mid-Atlantic mainstay Todd Beattie trains the Pennsylvania-bred, who in all probability will race again in 2009. Track conditions Wednesday (11/26): No turf racing and a "good" main track that played fairly. Thursday (11/27): Main track was fast and the turf yielding. Very apparent inside speed bias was in place on the dirt with the infield be used only once. Friday (11/28): Main track was fast and played fairly, while the two turf events also showed no discernible bias. Saturday (11/29): Dirt was fast and the turf was labeled "good." With a pair of exceptions, all the dirt races were won in virtual wire-to-wire fashion. Small sampling on the turf showed no favoritism. Sunday (11/30): Main track was muddy and sealed and there was no grass racing. Races were all won by either a front runner or horses that raced just off the top. HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (11/27) 6TH -- With the track showing a significant speed bias, SYNCHRONICITY (More Than Ready) did well to close from far back to finish a close-up third. State-bred filly will probably break her maiden "two-turning" on the inner-surface. 9TH -- HIGH FIVES (Yonaguska) was making his first start for trainer Scott Lake off a recent claim. Runner chased the pace from a wide post, stayed on well until mid-stretch when he tired and finished a distant third. Inside draw may be all he needs at this 20K tag. Friday (11/28) 7TH -- GHOST STORY (Vindication) was making only his second lifetime start, and first on this circuit after breaking his maiden at Calder. Bumped at the start, he raced just behind the pace while a bit "in-tight", took back and tried to rally around the eventual wire-to-wire winner turning into the stretch, but "flattened-out" from that point on. Not a bad effort. Saturday (11/29) 4TH -- TOULOUSE LAUTREC (More Than Ready) did everything right in his debut but was beaten by a very impressive first timer. Colt tracked the pace, moved out for a clear path turning for home and while unable to make any impact on the winner he drew away from the rest of the well-bred field to finish 5 1/4 lengths clear of the third-place runner. Next time. 9TH -- NORTH COUNTRY (Silver Deputy) was probably best here. Forced to steady in early stretch, he then had to angle out and finished well to be beaten a bit more than a length. Race was the third "troubled" trip in a row for this "hard-luck" turf performer. Sunday (11/30) 4TH -- SCOOTER RAT (Forest Wildcat) was making only his second lifetime start and first back off a four-month layoff. State-bred maiden showed good return speed while never able to clear, and was finished by the eighth pole. Race should serve as a fine "tightener." 7TH -- SEVENTH STREET (Street Cry [Ire]) made a shambles of this over-matched group. A $1 million two-year-old purchase by the Darley Stable, the filly won her second straight and did so in distinctly different fashion then in her maiden triumph. That initial score was done with a sweeping move from six-seven lengths off the pace, while this day saw her going wire-to-wire. She looks to have a very bright future wherever they send her next. Racing shifts to the inner-dirt on Wednesday and will not return to the main-track until March. Grass racing will continue for the next two weeks, weather permitting.
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