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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK APRIL 3, 2010 by Albie Johnson Final week of the long winter season ended this past Saturday as New York racing is dark on both Palm and Easter Sundays. Only one stakes of note was contested, the $100,000 Ladies at 1 1/8 miles, and a small field of four faced the starter, with favoritism falling on TIDAL DANCE (Pleasant Tap), who hadn't raced since January when she was a rather easy winner of the Affectionately S. Quiet Mover (Quiet American) sprinted clear from her inside post as expected but the remaining trio all raced well within range heading into the far turn. At that point, jockey Channing Hill asked the favorite to go and she quickly assumed command at the quarter pole and maintained a clear margin in the stretch run to officially report home by 2 1/4 lengths over second choice and Maryland invader Love's Blush (Not For Love), who held the place spot by a half-length over Distinctively (Awesome Again), a strong finisher who was forced to stay closer early to the pedestrian fractions that unfolded. The winning mare has been at many different venues during her career, proving a useful sort, and has blossomed here this winter under the care of Mike Hushion, who had a very strong meet on the inner-surface. Racing returned to the main-track this past Wednesday and the weather for Saturday's quartet of graded events should be superb. A field of six headed by Fountain of Youth (G2) winner Eskendereya (Giant's Causeway) will contest the Wood Memorial (G1) at a distance of 1 1/8 miles while Munnings (Speightstown) will be the likely favorite over five rivals in the Carter (G1) at seven furlongs one race later on the card. A pair of Grade 3 stakes will be contested earlier in the day with a field of seven sophomores going to the post in the Bay Shore and six older runners entering the gate in the Excelsior at nine furlongs, one race before the Wood. Statistics With the meet splint into two halves, Gary Contessa was the leading trainer here from the start of the New Year with a total of 32 winners, five more than Todd Pletcher, who only started 40 percent as many runners as the leading man. For the record, Steve Asmussen and Dave Jacobson finished third and fourth with 25 and 22 winners, respectively. Riding honors again went to Ramon Dominguez with 98 since January 1, leaving him 24 ahead of Dave Cohen, who proved a very nice addition on this circuit after leading the meet at Delaware Park in 2009. C.C. Lopez checked in third with Annie Napravnik right behind in fourth, having her second solid season in a row at this winter session. HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (3/24) 2ND -- Making her debut at a tough two-turn distance, CHARLOTTE B (Mayakovsky) sprinted clear and held on stubbornly once challenged, checking in third, beaten just under four lengths. Fine initial effort. 4TH -- Another debuting filly GATA PERRA (Catienus) was well-backed at the windows off of some fine a.m. moves and showed good early speed while unable to reach the front. She wasn't pushed too hard during the stretch run once tiring and should improve next out. 5TH -- Making his first start at the "3L" condition, CIRES (Teton Forest) was involved in a speed duel form the start of the six-furlong contest until early stretch, tiring to finish third. Strong effort and he'll run for a new trainer next out (Dominick Galluscio), who signed the claim slip for $25,000. Thursday (3/25) 2ND -- After acting up before her two starts at Gulfstream, INNER GROOVE'S (Rock Hard Ten) had the hood added by Pletcher and sophomore filly broke running in this mile maiden contest with the new equipment. She proved clearly best as she was all business on this day, and the filly looks like she may have a bright future. 5TH -- CITY BROAD (City Zip) was a very easy winner in this spot as she won her second in a row after returning from a 14 1/2-month layoff and a trainer switch to Bruce Levine. State-bred may try open foes or a restricted stakes soon. Friday (3/26) 4TH -- Excellent win in her debut from TEAM PLAN (Saarland) as the homebred rated a bit, then quickly rushed up to assume command and drew off to a 6 3/4-length win. Probably will make a logical next run in a first-level state-bred allowance. Saturday (3/27) 3RD -- Making her first start since early February at Gulfstream, REMARK (Distorted Humor) pressed a fast pace and held well until just inside the eighth-pole where she weakened to finish third. Race was run in fast time and Darley homebred should break her maiden soon. Have a nice weekend and we'll review Saturday's stakes next time.
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