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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK NOVEMBER 27, 2008 by Albie Johnson Fine late fall weather made for five days of "fast" main-track racing and allowed the turf-course to be utilized as this "short" meeting will soon be coming to an end. Racing week was highlighted by the Discovery H.(G3) and the impressive maiden victory of a colt owned and trained by the same connections that first brought Big Brown to the races. The Discovery, one of the oldest continually run stakes on the NYRA calendar, went to WISHFUL TOMCAT ( Tactical Cat) who took full advantage of his inside post in the 1 1/8-mile contest. The chestnut ridgling went right to the front, was allowed to set "pedestrian" fractions, and had little difficulty from the half-mile pole to the finish, maintaining a lead of one-to-two lengths with the final margin coming in at 1 3/4. The major disappointment of the field was the well-regarded Lieutenant Ron (Graeme Hall), who earlier this year had been considered for the Preakness (G1) before injury forced him to the sidelines for more than six months. The colt was wide the entire race while within range, but offered "nothing" when asked just before the half. The winner is a New York-bred and was trained by the leading man at this fall-meet, Gary Contessa. Ramon Dominguez had an arm-chair ride with a final clocking of 1:53.28 for nine furlongs. Two races earlier on the card, WELL POSITIONED (Awesome Again) easily broke his maiden in a "flat" mile contest, going to the front soon after the start and increasing his margin at every call. Final margin was 14 1/4 lengths and time came in at 1:38.68. Bay colt is owned by Paul Pompa Jr. and trained by Patrick Reynolds, the same people who first brought Big Brown to the races in August 2007 at Saratoga. Track Conditions Wednesday (11/19): Main-track was fast and the turf was labeled "good." Speed had a decided edge on the dirt while the turf played fairly which it did through-out the racing week. Thursday (11/20): Fast and good were the opening conditions and speed again played well on the dirt, while the infield showed no favoritism. Friday (11/21): Again fast and good was the order of the day, but as surfaces are "quirky," runners racing off the pace dominated the dirt contests. With the "pronounced" speed bias of the two previous cards, this may have simply been attributed to many runners being pushed hard early and "heated" pace battles taking place. Turf again played fairly. Saturday (11/22): Nice mix of speed and late on the scene types prevailed on the main-track. Fast and firm conditions were in place and the infield played fairly. Sunday (11/23): Intense speed bias played out just about all day on the main-track. Runners who attempted sweeping moves on the turn were "doomed to failure" and should be forgiven their efforts. Turf for the fifth straight day showed no advantage. HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (11/19) 3RD -- R CLEAR VICTORY (Victory Gallop) was hounded every step of the way on his outside by the eventual winner, "steadied" briefly while tiring and backed-up late to finish a distant third. Should find a field soon that he can wire. 4TH -- BEBOBBLUES ART (Artax) was making his first start after a freshening and had an extremely wide trip. State-bred maiden was in the 5-6 path for almost a half-mile and deserves another chance to show if the rest did him some good. 8TH -- PICK SIX (Dynaformer) has stepped up his game this year for trainer Shug McGaughey. Hard-hitter may be given the winter off, but if he ships to Gulfstream he could be a winner early at that meet in his present shape. Thursday (11/20) 8TH -- WINTHROP HOUSE (More Than Ready) chased the pace from the opening bell, made a strong bid turning for home and was out-finished late in an encouraging performance. Colt is in good hands (Kiaran McLaughlin), and seems to have found a home on the grass. Friday (11/21) 5TH -- MY LOVELY LARK (Outflanker) had a very difficult assignment on this "tight" course. Breaking from the outside post, she stalked while wide, bid from the half to the eighth pole and "flattened" out in the last furlong. State-bred may try once more before the grass season ends in New York. Saturday (11/22) 2ND -- STAR OF NEW YORK (Five Star Day) did everything he was supposed to do, but still didn't get his picture taken. State-bred maiden hounded the speedy favorite every step, put that one away turning for home, fought to the lead, but was out-finished late by a "perfect-trip" winner. Breaks his maiden next out. 9TH -- TREVELYAN (Fusaichi Pegasus) appears to be getting the hang of things. Todd Pletcher-trained colt has improved noticeably since moving to the turf and just missed here in a strong performance. Race was his third of the season, so he may not race again until Gulfstream opens. Looks to have a "bright" future. Sunday (11/23) 3RD -- DESTRY (Posse) hadn't raced in five months heading into this. Dropped in for a tag for the first time, he saved ground early, bid inside turning for home, but was finished by midstretch. Should improve off this come-backer and a relatively "quick" turnaround would be a positive sign. 5TH -- HEDGE FUND (Maria's Mon) had a very wide trip while chasing a runner that went wire-to-wire and won off by 6 1/4 lengths. He held his position late while finishing in the center of the track, eventually winding up fourth. Deserves another chance. 6TH -- SHEIKH'S SERENADE (Unbridled's Song) impressed here in breaking her maiden. Mott trained filly was making her third lifetime start and first at a mile. She tracked the pace while in the three path, bid when asked and quickly opened up to win by a widening 4 1/4 lengths. She could be a talented one. Happy Thanksgiving to all!! Next week we'll have five graded contests to report on, including the Cigar Mile (G1). The Remsen (G2), Demoiselle (G2), Top Flight (G2) and Montauk will also take place.
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