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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK JANUARY 2, 2009 by Albie Johnson Racing resumed here on the day after Christmas following the annual short winter break. This was an abbreviated start-up with only three days of action to report on, with everything returning to normal with the New Year's Eve card. The "short" week was highlighted by the impressive victory of FABULOUS STRIKE (Smart Strike) in the $108,100 Gravesend S. (G3). His mere presence made four of those entered late scratches and only three rivals opposed him once the gates opened. Bay gelding showed a new dimension by rating off the pace, swinging around the front runner turning for home, and after a couple "cracks" of the whip from Ramon Dominguez at the eighth-pole, he drove clear late winning by 1 3/4 lengths. Final time was a "snappy" 1:09.74, and trainer Todd Beattie may have to start looking at condition books from other parts of the country with a very limited number of spots available on the eastern seaboard for sprinters during the winter. In the race right after the Gravesend, a good-looking state-bred, MANTECA (Aptitude), made his first appearance since May a winning one in this $25,000 allowance/optional claimer. Well-prepared off the long layoff by Tom Bush, the colt rated comfortably and responded with a burst of energy turning for home in the mile and 70-yard race and drew off under a hand ride to win by six lengths. A loser in his debut, he's now won three in a row and looks to have stakes on his mind coming off this impressive win. Track Conditions Friday (12/26): Track was "muddy" and "sealed" and played fairly though few were able to come from far back. Saturday (12/27) -- Surface began the day as "muddy" and was upgraded to "good" after the 6TH race. Speed did well with stalkers also getting the job done in several contests. Sunday (12/28) -- Inside was not the place to be and for the most part those rating off the pace and racing in the middle of the track proved most successful. HORSES TO WATCH Friday (12/26) 2ND -- FATHER TIM (Distorted Humor) finally picked up his maiden win and did so impressively. After having some serious problems earlier in his career, he's come back a nice runner and has been stringing starts together for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Entry level allowance next out seems like the next logical step. 6TH -- After returning from Woodbine, BIRTHDAY BALLOONZ (Yes It's True) made his first start for trainer Bruce Levine and first in almost seven weeks. Broke running, was involved in a pace duel, fought to a slim lead and flattened out late under pressure. Bay colt won't be a maiden for long. Saturday (12/27) 5TH -- Favored LINCOLN ROAD (Montbrook) was "bumped" off stride at the start and "bobbled" soon after. Rushed up along the rail from his inside post, he cleared in the first two furlongs, set a fast pace, resisted the winner briefly in early stretch and tired late back into third. Next time. 8TH -- In only his 2nd start back since May, TRUE QUALITY (Elusive Quality) ran a winning race, but unfortunately Grade 1 winner Fabulous Strike ran a better one. Lightly raced colt bounded clear early and held until the last sixteenth. Think a two-turn mile on the inner-surface is within his talent level. 9TH -- RING BERNADETTE (Phone Trick) set a fast pace in this route event, was challenged on the far-turn, fought back until midstretch and tired thereafter. Most runners that attempted this tactic in longer races on both Saturday and Sunday found the task difficult. Sunday (12/28) 1ST -- In making his first start on this circuit, STERLING HEAT (Dixieland Heat) was four-to-five paths wide around both turns of the 8 1/2-furlong event and stayed on until midstretch. Mike Maker-trained runner should win soon with a better post at or around the same tag ($25,000) 4TH -- In as impressive a debut as I've seen by a state-bred in many years, the heavily backed MR. FANTASY (E Dubai) sprinted clear early and increased his margin at every call, winning off by 10 1/2 lengths in 1:10.51. In a top barn (West Point Thoroughbreds/McLaughlin), his connections may need to try him against better company at Gulfstream next time out. 8TH -- GET SERIOUS (City Zip), who went off the second pick in this state-bred stakes, was eliminated in the first 50 yards. Bumped heavily at the break, he nearly "went-down" a stride or two later. Righting himself, he raced 4-5 wide to reach contention mid-way down the backstretch, and slowly weakened from the half home while still very wide and was not "abused" in the stretch. Happy New Year To everyone who loves the sport of Thoroughbred racing, I hope that 2009 brings you many thrills and some profit along with it.
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