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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK FEBRUARY 2, 2012 by John Mucciolo There were no graded races last week at Aqueduct. Track Stats A total of 46 races were held over the Jamaica, New York, venue, with favorites winning at a 39 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 72 percent of the wins during the week. From 46 races on the main oval, 16 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (35 percent). There was no turf racing held this past week. Chalk continues to be tough to upend at this meeting, as 72 percent of the winners were among the top two betting choices for the week. Speed was good on the main oval, but we can’t call bias as most of the wire-to-wire winners were among the favorites. Outside posts (horses breaking from outside the six slot) won eight races between Wednesday and Thursday, but only four over the final 28 races for the week. Some of that did have to do with small field sizes. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (1/26) 3RD -- UNION VICTORY looked very good in this one for trainer Bruce Levine, firing to the front early and cruising home a convincing 4 3/4-length winner under David Cohen. The sophomore Indian Charlie miss is in good form and will be tough with any improvement in her return. 8TH -- SUPERIOR SARAH put in a strong run to be a clear second in making her 2012 debut for conditioner Tom Albertrani. The four-year-old lass could evolve into a stakes-quality New York-bred. Friday (1/27) 8TH -- DANGEROUS LAD proved much the best in this field for trainer John Terranova, spurting clear in early stretch en route to a 4 1/4-length victory. The gelded sophomore could have success in stretching out in trip in the future. Saturday (1/28) 2ND -- The once promising WELL POSITIONED came off the 14-month break and showed little rust in this spot for trainer Richard Dutrow, leading at every call under steady handling beneath Junior Alvarado. The six-year-old will likely not be in for a tag in his subsequent outing. 3RD -- REDDING COLLIERY has shown glimpses of being a real good one over the past few years, and the six-year-old son of Mineshaft could be ready for a peak season for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The well-bred horse was always in control in here and could make a lot of noise this spring in the Empire State. He came home in a strong :31 2/5. 5TH -- SIDE ROAD, a son of Street Cry, may have stamped himself a sophomore to watch with a fine tally in this one under Mike Luzzi. The well-bred colt really looked the part late and should be able to handle another furlong or more for McLaughlin. 8TH -- Rising four-year-old filly LOVE AND PRIDE was tons the best here and really impressed with a :30 2/5 closing five-sixteenths en route to a big win. The Todd Pletcher trainee is very rateable and should have little to no distance limitations. She could be bound for South Florida before long. A Look Ahead The Grade 3, $200,000 Withers Stakes for three-year-old runners tops a big Saturday racing at Aqueduct. Also on tap are the Grade 3, $150,000 Toboggan Handicap and the $100,000 Correction Handicap.
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