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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK APRIL 4, 2013 by John Mucciolo No graded tilts took place over the holiday weekend at the Big A, where racing returned to the main oval. Track Stats A total of 37 races were held over the Jamaica, New York, venue, with favorites winning at a 51 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 67 percent of the wins during the week. From 37 races on the main oval, 10 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (27 percent), while there was no turf racing. Chalk ruled the week at Aqueduct, with favorites having big days on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a combined 16 wins. It was a bit of feast or famine, though, with only six second choices coming through. Speed was best on Wednesday and Friday, when four horses went wire-to-wire on each racing day. We sorely miss grass racing in the Empire State! Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (3/27) 4TH -- The Richard Violette-trained GOLDEN GREELEY (Golden Missile) was patient early, got into gear on cue and outfinished a clear leader in the lane in what we thought was a solid debut win for this outfit. The gelded sophomore came home in a decent :25 on a speed favoring oval, and should improve with experience and possibly distance. 6TH -- Conditioner Linda Rice surely had first time starter HAY SHARES (Henny Hughes) primed for this one, as the gelded three-year-old sped early from the rail and poured it on late in a powerful showing in his debut test. The sophomore ran like a horse who could get more ground with some seasoning, and he could be almost any type following this daylight victory. Thursday (3/28) 3RD -- CAYAMBE (Helmsman) returns to this list after a second straight win since arriving from California for conditioner David Jacobson, and the in-form nine-year-old may have been even more impressive this time around. The California-bred rallied from last in this one and came home in a fine :23 3/5 under Junior Alvarado. Friday (3/29) 6TH -- SUGAR BEACH (Peruvian) was very game in fighting off multiple challenges in here under pilot David Cohen. The five-year-old mare didn't run that fast but she was all heart, and she could be a big player right back with logical placement for conditioner Manuel Gonzalez. Saturday (3/30) 2ND -- The Mark Hennig-trained MERRY MEADOW (Henny Hughes) dueled on the front and wasn't embarrassed to be third in this one. The three-year-old filly shouldn't be a maiden for long with her early foot. 6TH -- TIGHTEND TOUCHDOWN (Pure Precision) got away with a fairly easy lead to the top of the lane, and exploded thereafter in a superb 5 1/4-length romp under Jose Ortiz. The gelded four-year-old came home in a swift 1:16 3/5 for 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt here, and is in a very good form cycle for the capable Jason Servis. 9TH -- SUNNY DESERT (Wild Desert) worked herself into range in early stretch and proved her class late when dusting this field en route to a three-length tally. The John Parisella trainee is a fine performer and should be graded stakes bound next out. A Look Ahead The Grade 1, $1 million Wood Memorial tops a monster day of graded action at Aqueduct on Saturday. Also carded for the fine program are the Grade 1, $400,000 Carter Handicap; Grade 2, $250,000 Ruffian Handicap; Grade 2, $250,000 Gazelle Stakes; and the Grade 3, $250,000 Bay Shore Stakes.
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