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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK MARCH 12, 2010 by Albie Johnson The unofficial first day of spring around here came this past weekend with the first graded stakes of the year, and a return to the main-track plus the season's first grass race isn't far in the future. Saturday's main event, the Gotham S. (G3) for sophomore runners, is an important step leading up to the Wood Memorial (G1) on April 4 and attracted its usual fine mix, with recent maiden winners, runners who had shown promise last season at two and horses returning from layoffs. The early pace in the 10-horse field was set as expected by Oaklawn shipper Wow Wow Wow (Broken Vow), who drew a tough outside post and had no choice but be sent hard from the gate by rider Corey Nakatani in an attempt to clear. That accomplished, he set very fast fractions and it became apparent at the half-way point that this race was going to those who had rated early and were gearing-up for stretch runs. By the head of the lane, AWESOME ACT (Awesome Again) was advancing with a full head of steam and went by Nacho Friend (Friend's Lake), who had battled his way to a short lead, and opened up a three length advantage in midstretch. Awesome Act held off the late charge of Yawanna Twist (Yonaguska) to win by 1 1/4 lengths, with Nacho Friend another 1 3/4 lengths back in third. The winning colt was bred in Kentucky but spent most of his two-year-old season in England. He shipped back to the United States in the fall to finish a creditable fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) in early November and returned overseas for the winter. Nicely prepared for a top effort off a four-month break by trainer Jeremy Noseada, Awesome Act's effort was all the more impressive as he was making his first start on conventional dirt. He'll remain in New York and will be one of the favorites in the "Wood." We'll find out a lot more about him on that day. Of the vanquished, state-bred Yawanna Twist ran an extremely strong race as he was facing "open' foes and trying two-turns both for the first time, and he appears to have a bright future. I thought that it was also an impressive race by Nacho Friend as the lightly raced colt was making his first start since late July when he finished a "troubled" fourth in the Sanford (G2) at Saratoga. Like "Twist," he was trying a route for the first time. Trainer Kelly Breen most certainly didn't have him at 100 percent off the break and Nacho Friend should be much tougher next out. Earlier on the card, a small but talented field of five older sprinters loaded in the gate for the Toboggan S.(G3) and the two favored runners, WALL STREET WONDER (City Place) and Custom for Carlos (More Than Ready), put on quite a show in virtual match race from start-to-finish. "Carlos," who was coming off a win in the Mr. Prospector (G3) at Gulfstream, had the inside draw but jockey Channing Hill on "Wonder" never let him clear and applied constant outside pressure. The pair battled as a team the entire race with no more than neck between them at any point and that was the final margin with "Wonder" getting the nod. Winning colt had spent the early part of his career on the West Coast in the Bob Baffert barn and remained undefeated with this win on conventional dirt (three for three) since joining forces with trainer John Terranova. The following day, eight older runners faced the starter in the Stymie S. and trainer Todd Pletcher appeared to hold a strong hand with a trio of uncoupled starters, two of which were bet heavily by the betting public including the favored UNDERSTATEMENT (Distorted Humor). The pace was set by National Pride (Macho Uno), who took full advantage of his inside post in the nine furlong contest and was tracked every step by Understatement, who took over when ready on the far turn, opened up a clear lead, and was never threatened the rest of the way, reporting home by 3 3/4 lengths over the game pacesetter, who held Nite Light (Thunder Gulch) by a half-length for the place. Pletcher has had just an outstanding first part of the year here and at this writing was (56-17-8-12) over the first 2+ months. Track conditions We lost two days of racing in the last week of February and the track was sloppy or muddy and sealed on the three days we had live cards, with the usual large numbers of front-running winners over that span. The past week saw fast conditions on all five days and a solid mix of speed, stalkers and several closers proving successful. Leader Boards Through Wednesday, March 10, Gary Contessa held a 10-race lead in the trainer's race over Steve Asmussen, with Todd Pletcher 11 back, though the latter two have only a fraction of the number of starts of the leading man. In the jockey's race, Ramon Dominguez had a 30-race lead ( 80 to 50) over his nearest pursuer (Dave Cohen), with veteran C.C. Lopez holding down the third spot. HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (3/3) 6TH -- REALLY SOMEBODY (Volponi) ran hard every step of the way, battling head and head with the eventual winner before losing to him by a half-length and being edged for the place by a neck in the last two strides. He'll be breaking his maiden soon. 8TH -- After breaking in the air, HAVE YOU EVER (Van Nistelrooy) rushed up to assume command and held that spot until midstretch when he weakened late to finish third, beaten 1 1/2 lengths. Probably would have won without the mishap at the start. Thursday (3/4) 3RD -- Impressive debut by FORDANGSHORE (Forest Danger) as he tracked early from his inside draw, easily assumed command, and won under a hand-ride by four lengths in a very solid performance. The $130,000 two-year-old purchase is in a good barn (Mike Trombetta) and may have real talent. 6TH -- After breaking sharply, PONTE VECCHIO (Regal Classic) was taken off the pace and offered a late rally to just miss the place in a race with an easy wire-to-wire winner. Believe trainer George Weaver will stretch him out soon. Friday (3/5) 2ND -- DRIVEN BY SOLAR (Freud) made rather easy work of these state-bred rivals and captured his third in a row since returning from a 10-month layoff and a switch to the Pletcher barn. He's headed for open company or a stakes soon. Sunday (3/7) 1ST -- BAILZEE (Grand Slam) made it two for two and did it with a strong wide move approaching the stretch, drawing clear late in this state-bred first-level allowance. The $135,000 sales yearling defeated a good runner here in Wicked Diva (Jump Start), and the filly may be sent a route next out. 7TH -- Improving on his impressive debut, IRONMAN JON (Mineshaft) solved his first test against winners and two-turn debut in flying colors, recording a 13 1/4-length score in this allowance for New York-breds. He broke nicely from an outside post, stalked early, and easily took command before drawing off to the handy score. Could turn out be any kind at this point. Upcoming stakes 3-13 -- The Cicada (G3) for three-year-old fillies at 6 furlongs Have a Nice Week!!
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