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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK FEBRUARY 7, 2013 by John Mucciolo There was a pair of graded events over the weekend at the Big A. Withers S. (G3): WinStar Farm's REVOLUTIONARY (War Pass) surged between runners inside the final furlong and posted a neck score in this one for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The talented sophomore colt got 1 1/16 miles on the fast main oval 1:44 1/5 under the guidance of Javier Castellano. Toboggan S. (G3): Michael Dubb et al's HEAD HEART HOOF (Intidab) took a short lead approaching the turn for home and gamely stayed on to post a half-length tally in this spot under Cornelio Velasquez. The Rudy Rodriguez-trained seven-year-old stopped the teletimer in 1:09 4/5 for six panels on the fast main oval. Track Stats A total of 46 races were held over the Jamaica, New York, venue, with favorites winning at a 37 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 65 percent of the wins during the week. From 46 races on the main oval, 10 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (22 percent), while there was no turf racing. We thought the oval changed quite a bit during the week -- with speed dominating on Wednesday and Thursday, and closers having their way for the remaining part of the week, mostly. Six winners led at every call for the first two days, while just four from the remaining 28 races led all the way from the start over the weekend. To further back this point, horses breaking from outside of post six had a lot more success later in the week, while just one runner breaking wide came through during the first two racing days here. We'll keep an eye on how things shake out on Wednesday, as a return to speed would not surprise at all. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (1/30) 3RD -- RULER ON ICE (Roman Ruler) made a nice start to his 2013 campaign with a rallying victory from last in this small field for trainer Kelly Breen. The classic winner has a ton of back class and likes a route of ground, so he should be a player in the handicap division this season with natural progression. Thursday (1/31) 3RD -- MASTER CLIP (Master Command) left little doubt with a dominant 13-length romp over this field for Rodriguez. The New York-bred four-year-old colt came home in 1:10 2/5 for the six furlongs and should be live in his subsequent try against winners. 6TH -- TRUE FORTUNE (Yes It's True) raced wide throughout this race but still got the job done with a big closing run to win going away for conditioner George Weaver. The sophomore filly could be of stakes quality with state-bred foes. Friday (2/1) 1ST -- SATURDAY'S CHARM (Any Given Saturday) put in a superb effort to kick off the card on this day, powering home from off the pace in blowing this field away late for trainer Steve Asmussen. The four-year-old colt flew home in :23 3/5 under mild urging and could be a big player on this circuit with even slight improvement off of this one. 4TH -- We really liked the effort by LURABELL (Silver Train) in her debut run in this race beneath Junior Alvarado. She chased lone speed all the way around the oval and inched clear late in a very nice showing for this level. Note the miss was claimed out of this by Abigail Adsit and could be live if properly placed next time. 5TH -- FUNNY MONEY (Dehere) couldn't reel in the winner in this dash, but the Chad Brown trainee ran well to be clear in second and should be extra tough next time with likely improvement and a better break from the gate. Saturday (2/2) 1ST -- Pletcher kicked off his nice day in this opener when saddling MORDI'S MIRACLE (Lawyer Ron) to a fine score under Castellano. The four-year-old colt showed a strong turn of foot in posting a strong final time in this one, and could continue his winning streak next out with an effort resembling this one. 3RD -- CLUSTER OF STARS (Greeley's Galaxy) was all heart in battling back after being passed in the lane to eke out a victory over a real nice one today. The Asmussen charge is going very well right now on this oval, and the 1:09 3/5 final time was as good as it gets on the inner tube. 4TH -- PRINCESS OF SYLMAR (Majestic Warrior) has now won four in a row in fine fashion and has to be considered among the better sophomore fillies around right now. The Pletcher trainee toyed with this group and seemingly can run all day. 9TH -- Revolutionary might not have defeated the best field of all time in this race, but for the colt to spring forward from a maiden score to take this while enduring a ton of traffic says something for this improving sort, who seemingly always finds trouble. A Look Ahead There are no graded stakes carded this week at the Big A.
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