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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK DECEMBER 1, 2011 by John Mucciolo A bevy of graded races headlined the Holiday week at Aqueduct. Cigar Mile H. (G1): Live Oak Plantation's TO HONOR AND SERVE took command in early stretch and drove home a convincing 1 3/4-length winner under Jose Lezcano. By Bernardini, the high-quality sophomore sped one mile in a snappy 1:33 4/5 for trainer Bill Mott. Gazelle S. (G1): Stronach Stables' champion AWESOME FEATHER remained unbeaten in her career with an authoritative 5 1/4-length romp in this spot for trainer Chad Brown. The sophomore daughter of Awesome of Course took over readily when asked by Jeffrey Sanchez, eventually stopping the timer in 1:50 for nine furlongs. Remsen S. (G2): Donegal Racing's O'PRADO AGAIN inched clear to a three-quarters of a length tally in this one for conditioner Dale Romans. By El Prado, the improving two-year-old went nine panels on the main strip in 1:52 under the guidance of Kent Desormeaux. Demoiselle S. (G2): Glencrest Farm's DISPOSABLEPLEASURE ran the race of the week in nearly falling at the start, steadying along the back stretch and powering home gamely to win by a nose under Ramon Dominguez. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the daughter of Giacomo got 1 1/8 miles on the main oval in 1:53 to post her initial graded win. Go for Wand S. (G2): Barry K Schwartz's LOVELY LIL took a short lead at the half-mile marker and gamely stayed on to the finish in a fine effort for conditioner Michael Hushion. The speedy four-year-old finished off one mile on the main oval 1:36 4/5 with Cornelio Velasquez in the irons. Fall Highweight H. (G3): West Point Thoroughbreds' SUNRISE SMARTY took the lead soon after the start and fought off all pursuers in posting a half-length tally in here under Dominguez. The four-year-old colt, trained by Michael Hushion, stopped the teletimer in 1:09 4/5 while toting 130 pounds. Track Stats A total of 47 races were held over Jamaica, New York, venue, with favorites winning at a 40 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 51 percent of the wins during the week. From 39 races on the main oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (15 percent), and one runner led at every call on the lawn from eight races (12 percent). We saw a few different main ovals this week. Wednesday and Thursday played kindly to speed runners and horses with inside draws. The latter produced four wire-to-wire winners, and eight of the nine winners breaking from the inner three slots. From Friday through Sunday, not a single horse led at every call on the dirt. Saturday was very good to outer paths, as five of the seven winners on the main strip broke from post seven of wider. The turf continues to be very hard on early leaders, though we finally got our first wire-to-wire winner on the lawn after two and a half weeks of racing. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (11/23) 5TH -- CAPTAINS CAT was clearly second best in this one and lost to a runner who has flashed promise in the past. The Chad Brown-trained gelding won't be a maiden for long. Thursday (11/24) 5TH -- MARION RAVENWOOD fought off a persistent challenge in the lane to post a solid 1 1/4-length win in this one for trainer Graham Motion. The talented sophomore daughter of A.P. Indy seems capable of running on anything and should be graded bound next time. Saturday (11/26) 5TH -- TERM LOAN ran a winning race in defeat in this spot and can't be ignored going forward. The juvenile colt should graduate soon. 6TH -- WILDCAT'S SMILE was tenacious in rallying right before the finish in here and was a touch unlucky not to have won this race. The New York-bred will be a nice money earner for these connections with steady progress. 7TH -- We recall trainer Dale Romans talking up O'Prado Again prior to his debut run, and it seems he was right after watching this one gamely pass this well-matched field in his debut with winners. The expensive auction buy should have a big 2012 in front of him. Sunday (11/27) 3RD -- OFF LIMITS was sharp in graduating in here for Bill Mott, and the sophomore filly could have a very bright future, especially as the distances increase. The juvenile daughter of Include came home in :24 3/5 and looked like she had plenty left late. A Look Ahead There are no graded races this weekend at Aqueduct.
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