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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK JANUARY 6, 2012 by John Mucciolo There were no graded races this weekend at Aqueduct. Track Stats A total of 45 races were held over Jamaica, New York venue, with favorites winning at a 40 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 71 percent of the wins during the week. From 45 races on the main oval, 14 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (31 percent). There was no turf racing held this past week. We noticed a difference in the main surface during the course of the past five days of racing. From 27 races spanning Thursday through Saturday, just one horse won when breaking outside of post 6, but on Sunday and Monday, seven horses crossed the wire in first when leaving from gate 7 or wider. In addition, speed was pretty dominant through the first three days, with 11 winners leading at every call from 27 races. Only three wire jobs took place between Sunday and Monday from 18 events. We'll keep a close eye on how the oval is playing over the first couple days of the week. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (12/29) 5TH -- NOTELL closed into a pedestrian pace to be a solid third without pressuring the top pair, and the Jonathan Sheppard charge could be live next out in a better spot. 6TH -- The well-bred EMPRESS OF GOLD ran down a clear leader in a fine tally in this one for conditioner Bill Mott. The filly has put together a couple of wins in a row and seems poised for a stakes run next time. Friday (12/30) 2ND -- MARIA'S OWN ran into a tough winner here, but was a clear second in her comeback and should be tighter in her next for conditioner Tom Albertrani. 5TH -- SACRED SUCCESS took command in the lane and was run down in a fine debut showing while well bet for trainer Richard Dutrow. The newly turned sophomore filly will be very tough in her subsequent try. 8TH -- GLICKMAN put away the even-money choice early and held off a stern test late in posting a sharp score for trainer Jimmy Ryerson. The talented colt could have a productive 2012. Saturday (12/31) 3RD -- TERM LOAN ran a winning race in defeat here under Alan Garcia, and the Richard Violette trainee should graduate before long. 5TH -- YAWANNA TWIST came off a long break to dismantle this field in a top effort for Dutrow. The Grade 1-placed winner still has plenty left in the tank and could have a nice year at races going a mile or close to it. Sunday (1/1) 2ND -- INFLATION TARGET was a close third in a fine debut run in here, and the Violette trainee should be primed for his next engagement. He's bred to be a good one. A LOOK AHEAD Saturday's $150,000 Count Fleet Stakes and $100,000 Busanda Stakes lead the way at the Big A this week.
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