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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK APRIL 9, 2010 by Albie Johnson Racing returned to the main track at Aqueduct on April 1 and it was just in time for the first big Saturday on this circuit since last fall with the running of four graded events headed by the Wood Memorial (G1). We'll review them in the order that they were run. First up was the Bay Shore S. (G3) for sophomore going seven furlongs, and the crowd centered most of its wagers on EIGHTYFIVEINAFIFTY (Forest Camp), who was impressive breaking his maiden earlier this year but had an eventful run last out in the Whirlaway S. In that February 6 event, the bay colt bolted after an equipment break and suffered some minor injuries when he jumped the rail on the backstretch. Eightyfiveinafifty, who had been working bullets for this, broke running from his rail post and was never seriously threatened in going wire-to-wire over a rather ordinary field for the level. He set fast fractions and tired a bit late, causing him to drift, but he held sway by 2 1/2 lengths and stopped the clock in 1:21.89. Checking in second in a solid performance was Hurricane Ike (Graeme Hall), who was making his conventional dirt debut, and 2 1/2 lengths farther back came Remand (Successful Appeal), who like the winner was still eligible for an entry-level allowance. Gary Contessa trains the winner and Ramon Dominguez had a rather easy time of it once the colt broke in stride. Eightyfiveinafifty obviously has talent and his connections have a lot of options as to where he'll next run, with the Withers S. (G3) on April 24 a possible target. A field of five older runners went to the post one race later in a very watered down Excelsior S.(G3) run at a distance of 1 1/8 miles. A very slow pace was set by Senior's Pride (Sweetsouthernsaint), who took advantage of his rail post and led until midway through the far turn when he was challenged by GOLDSVILLE (Successful Appeal). Those two staged a head-to-head battle until midstretch, when the Goldsville gained a slight advantage and held off an inside bid by Nite Light (Thunder Gulch). The winning margin was three parts of a length, with Nite Lite a neck in front of Senior's Pride, who had a similar margin up on More Than a Reason (More Than Ready). The winning five-year-old has spent most of his career running in allowance/optional claiming contests, and had won just such a race on March 6 in his first start since shipping back from California and his first start for trainer Mike Hushion. The day's biggest event was up next as a field of six sophomores entered the gate in the $750,000 Wood Memorial going nine furlongs. All eyes were focused on Florida shipper ESKENDEREYA (Giant's Causeway), who had been so impressive in winning the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) at Gulfstream earlier this year. The chestnut colt from the Todd Pletcher barn did not disappoint in this spot as he marked himself as the probable favorite for the May 1 Kentucky Derby (G1) with an easy 9 3/4-length victory. Eskendereya had a perfect trip in this spot, sitting in the clear just off the top, and it appeared from the way John Velazquez was riding him that he could have taken the lead at any time, which he did at the quarter-pole and, under no encouragement, widened to his final margin. Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil) looked beaten in midstretch but held very gamely for the place over recent Gotham S. (G3) winner Awesome Act (Awesome Again), who stumbled at the start and didn't have much when called upon. Eskendereya is now a perfect four-for-four on conventional dirt and is undefeated since beginning his 2010 campaign. Lightly raced and still improving, if he holds his form in Louisville, Kentucky, he'll be very tough on May 1. The last of the graded contests was the Carter H. (G1) for older runner sprinting seven furlongs, and the betting public made Munnings (Speightstown) a lukewarm favorite over Musket Man (Yonaguska). Both colts won their seasonal debuts in Florida, with the former taking the Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship (G2) and the latter a minor stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. A solid and contested pace developed and it became apparent past the half that those being reserved early would decide the outcome with the top two choices beginning to move up at that point. Musket Man was going the better of that pair with Munnings, already under heavy pressure while racing wide, was a beaten runner at that point. Meanwhile, WARRIOR'S REWARD (Medaglia d'Oro), who had trailed up to that point, began a menacing six-wide move at the three-eighths pole that propelled him into the picture. Musket Man assumed the lead in midstretch and appeared on his way to the win but was unable to hold off the fast-charging Warrior's Reward, who nailed him in the last jump to prevail by a nose with a disappointing Munnings another 4 1/2 lengths back in third. Warrior's Reward is trained by Ian Wilkes and was given a fine ride by Julian Leparoux, who timed his late move perfectly. This victory improved his record at this distance on conventional dirt to three-for-three HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (3/31) 6TH -- Heavily bet in this spot while making his debut off some fine morning works, YOU JUMP I JUMP (Jump Start) broke awkwardly and was never involved at any point. He'll make his next start for Steve Asmussen as that trainer signed the claim slip for $15,000 for high profile owner Maggi Moss. Look for much better next out. Thursday (4/1) 3RD -- Making her first start since November, SO N SO (Freud) bobbled at the start, was rushed-up to assume command and gave way in the last eighth to finish third to a pair who had a big recency edge on her. State-bred filly impressed last year and should win next out with a clean getaway. 8TH -- Claimed last May by Dave Jacobson for $60,000, HALF METAL JACKET (Yes It's True) was on the shelf for eighth months after that but has been very impressive since coming back, racking up a 3-2-0 line from five starts, including an easy win in this $50K-optional claimer. The gelding checked in by just over four lengths in this spot and stopped the clock in a fast 1:35.27 in the mile contest. He'll make his next start for Sydney Dutrow via a claim, and should hold his form on the barn switch. Friday (4/2) 8TH -- Running for the first time since November 4, GOODANDACCEPTABLE (Good and Tough) made a strong middle move at the wire-to-wire winner and flattened slightly in the last furlong to finish a respectable third. Versatile as to style and distance, he should improve in his second back. Saturday (4/3) 2ND -- In an impressive debut, ROCK YARD (Tapit) had a poor start, rushed up to contest the pace, then weakened a bit in the last sixteenth to finish a close-up third. The gray colt is in a winning barn (Tony Dutrow) and should find the winner's circle soon. 3RD -- The talented OBLIGINGLY (Officer) had some traffic issues in this spot and had to settle for second although he may have been best. This effort marked the third straight time he had to settle for second at this first-level allowance condition. He can remedy that next out. Upcoming stakes The feature event of the weekend will be the Comely S. (G3) for three-year-old fillies going a mile on Saturday. Have a nice week!
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