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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK APRIL 12, 2012 by John Mucciolo An unbeaten sophomore solidified his status as a top Derby threat this weekend at Aqueduct. Wood Memorial (G1): WinStar Farm's GEMOLOGIST took command in early stretch and re-rallied after receiving a stern test in the final furlong to remain unbeaten for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The superb three-year-old son of Tiznow endured 1 1/8 miles in 1:50 4/5 under the guidance of Javier Castellano. Carter H. (G1): Robert LaPenta's JACKSON BEND moved to the fore in midstretch and held off a game rally in the final yards to earn a well-deserved win in this one for trainer Nick Zito. The multiple Grade 1 hero sped seven panels in 1:22 1/5 with Corey Nakatani in the irons. Bay Shore S. (G3): Shivananda Racing's TRINNIBERG was left alone up front early and barely broke a sweat in rolling home a three-length victor in this one beneath Willie Martinez. The sophomore colt, who has romped home in two straight, finished off seven-eighths on the fast main oval in 1:23 2/5 for trainer Bisnath Parboo. Comely S. (G3): E. Paul Robsham's homebred BROADWAY'S ALIBI earned an easy lead and left little doubt late en route to a 3 1/2-length win for Pletcher. The mega-talented sophomore filly got the mile in 1:36 2/5 under the guidance of Javier Castellano. Track Stats A total of 38 races were held over the Jamaica, New York, venue, with favorites winning at a 45 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 55 percent of the wins during the week. From 27 races on the main oval, five animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (18 percent), while four of the 11 races on the lawn were taken all the way on the front (36 percent). The main oval was fairly good to stalkers and deeper closers once again this week, with only Saturday's card hosting four of the five wire-to-wire winners on the main oval. Speed was mostly unkind over the first three days. All of the turf wire jobs were accomplished in turf races. We also noticed two things about racing on the lawn last week – favorites won on the turf at a high rate, and Florida imports have a big say in the outcome of these grassy events. Seven favorites won out of 11 races on Saturday. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (4/4) 8TH -- JOAN'S CHOICE burned some money in this one when second, but was tons clear of his nearest foe in this one and should be tough next time for conditioner Richard Violette. Thursday (4/5) 4TH -- THISIZSPARTA had no chance with the winner but finished in a swift time and was a clear second in this spot for Jimmy Jerkens. Expect the sophomore filly to graduate soon. Friday (4/6) 8TH -- ZETTERHOLM decided to stick with state-bred foes as opposed to trying open stakes runners and the Tony Dutrow pupil came through with an easy win in here. The streaking Silver Train colt has never been better and will likely try graded foes in the very near future. Saturday (4/7) 6TH -- LE BERNADIN returns to this list following another score in this one, topping a field of elders in this one for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The sophomore son of Bernardini came home in a solid final quarter and is bred to be a very good one -- the Preakness is a possibility. 9TH -- We were quite impressed with GEMOLOGIST in this one, as the colt didn't have the smoothest of sailing, yet still won and was actually getting stronger late. The final time of the race didn't excite us much, but this one is five-for-five and doesn't have to apologize to anyone. ALPHA had a tough start, but rated kindly and made a big late move to make this one close late. The sophomore did everything right but win, and could be sitting on a huge effort next time. 10TH -- SHACKLEFORD was very game for most of the stretch in here and can't be ashamed of finishing close behind a pair of Grade 1 sprinters. The Dale Romans charge is very honest and should be a sight to see at many big ones in 2012. A Look Ahead Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Distaff Handicap for fillies and mares is the lone graded event this week at "The Big A."
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