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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK NOVEMBER 30, 2005 by Bernard T. Moore Despite the Fall Highweight H. losing its graded status, and ATTILA'S STORM (Forest Wildcat) losing his scheduled jockey, who was literally "caught in traffic" on Thanksgiving Day, those who witnessed this race first hand at Aqueduct found it to be certainly worth the price of admission. Attila's Storm was able to prevail in a gutsy performance, eking out a nose victory in a thrilling renewal of this once prestigious race. Breaking from the rail, he set a quick and pressured pace towards the inside part of the course. With Ramon Dominguez unable to ride because of traffic woes, apprentice rider Pablo Morales filled in quite capably, as he skillfully rationed the early speed of the wire-to-wire winner. Trained by Richard Schosberg, Attila's Storm subsequently secured a tenuous half-length advantage in midstretch, and then still had enough gas left in the tank to withstand late rallies from both Voodoo (Petionville) and Super Fuse (Lite The Fuse). Voodoo, up close early while stalking the pacesetters, finished with good energy between rivals in the stretch, outgaming Super Fuse by a neck to gain the place. The third-place finisher trailed the field early, but found his best stride leaving the far turn. He also closed with a purpose in the stretch, but his rally fell short by a quarter-length. Yankee Mon (Maria's Mon), the 4-1 second choice in the wagering, suffered a wide trip while disputing the early fractions, and then began to drop back around the far turn, finishing seventh. On paper, the Top Flight H. (G2) on Friday appeared to be STELLAR JAYNE's (Wild Rush) for the taking. However, it did not exactly play out that way on the track, as the heavy 3-5 favorite was all out to overtake a stubborn Bohemian Lady (Carson City) in deep stretch, winning by a mere half-length. Ridden by Jerry Bailey, Stellar Jayne stalked the pace carved out by Bohemian Lady into the stretch. The runner-up was gamer than game, holding on tenaciously to the lead as she passed the sixteenth-pole. Nevertheless, Stellar Jayne, with earnings nearing the $1.5 million mark, dug down deep and was resolute in her pursuit of the front runner, slowly wearing her down in the final yards to win the last race of her career. As for Bohemian Lady, she was beyond brave in defeat. It was a tough race for her to lose, especially when you consider the fact that she was returning from a six-week layoff. Seeking the Ante (Seeking the Gold) was a non-threatening third, checking in 4 1/4 lengths behind the second-place finisher. Ender's Sister (A.P. Indy), dispatched at odds of 7-2, showed speed for nearly six furlongs and then lacked the necessary response when called upon in the stretch, finishing a disappointing sixth. The following day, PURGE (Pulpit) was also able to conclude his career on a winning note, closing powerfully in the stretch to overhaul Mass Media (Touch Gold) and then draw clear to score by 3 3/4 lengths. Reverting to rating tactics with Garrett Gomez at the helm, Purge raced well off the early pace down the backstretch. The Todd Pletcher trained runner began to advance around the far turn, leveling off nicely upon entering the stretch. Purge then blew past the leaders with giant strides to win going away. Mass Media attended the pace from the outset and then seized the lead in the stretch. His advantage was short lived once the winner kicked into gear. He continued on well to save the place by three parts of a length over Gygistar (Prospector's Music), who finished with interest to gain the show. Badge of Silver (Silver Deputy), the 2-1 favorite, chased the pace for a half-mile and then retreated steadily to finish eighth. BLUEGRASS CAT (Storm Cat) was the only favorite to score in the trio of stakes contests presented at Aqueduct on Saturday. However, despite coming out on top in the Remsen S. (G2), it wasn't a cakewalk for Bluegrass Cat. The odds-on favorite stumbled shortly after the start and then was hounded virtually every step of the way on the front end by Flashy Bull (Holy Bull), who obviously outran his 18-1 odds. Nevertheless, Bluegrass Cat ultimately put that stubborn rival away in deep stretch en route to a well-deserved victory with regular rider John Velazquez aboard. Parkhimonbroadway (Ecton Park) finished third in an even effort. Congo King (Horse Chestnut), was bumped at the start and then proceeded to race a bit lethargically early on. He improved his position down the backstretch, but was unable to keep pace with the leaders as the race quickened around the far turn, eventually checking in sixth. WONDER LADY ANNE L (Real Quiet), throttled down to stalk a pedestrian pace under jockey Cornelio Velasquez, parlayed those tactics to finish first in the Demoiselle S. (G2) by a convincing 2 3/4 lengths. With only a maiden victory on her resume prior to Saturday, the Richard Dutrow Jr.-trained two-year-old filly waited anxiously to be given her cue by Velasquez down the backstretch, as the pair sat behind a very deliberate pace. Once Cinderella's Dream (Prime Timber) moved to engage the frontrunner around the far turn, Wonder Lady Anne L followed suit, with the duo leaving the pacesetting Wait a While (Maria's Mon) in their wake shortly after entering the stretch. By the time they reached the furlong marker, Wonder Lady Anne L began to pull away slowly from a game Cinderella's Dream, as the second-place finisher was unable to match strides with her in deep stretch. Wait a While managed to save the show with Better Now (Thunder Gulch), the 9-5 favorite, finishing a non-descript fifth. Sunday's closing day feature for racing over the main track was the Montauk H. for New York bred fillies and mares at nine furlongs. FLEET INDIAN (Indian Charlie), taking full advantage of her inside post and a lack of early speed in the race, lead every step of the 1 1/8 miles to win by five widening lengths. Ridden by Velazquez, the four-year-old filly was the beneficiary of only token pressure on the lead as she dictated ordinary fractions. When asked to pick up the pace by Velazquez in the stretch, Fleet Indian responded willingly and drew clear with authority. Star Celebrity (Louis Quatorze) stalked the slow pace along the inside and then made a run at the leader shortly after turning for home. She was unable to match strides with the winner, but held well to save the place by a length over Shady Lane (Peaks and Valleys). Lone Tree (Exploit), the 5-2 second choice in the betting, raced in the second flight of runners and lacked the necessary response when called upon, finishing fourth in a lackluster effort. Velasquez topped all riders over the main track, with Edgar Prado finishing second. Velasquez, Javier Castellano and Morales rounded out the top five. Pletcher, with four winners on Saturday, eclipsed the single-season North American earnings record for a trainer with four victories. His banner day served as a springboard to garner yet another training title by just a single victory over Dutrow Jr. The top pair were followed Gary Contessa, Mike Hushion and Allen Jerkens. There did not appear to be any biases over the main track last week in either sprints or routes. The grass course appear to favor runners from off the pace, but it was not extreme by any means. There did not appear to be any discernible path biases all week. HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (11/23) 4TH – FIVE SECOND FUSE (Forestry) finished a good third switching back to the main track with the hood removed while going a middle distance of ground. Disputed honest fractions and continued on reasonably well in a race that finished up well late. Has dangerous tactical speed could turn up next in a maiden claimer for a high profile trainer. 5TH – Shady Lane set, then disputed a fast pace returning from a three-month layoff. Dropped back readily leaving the far turn in a much needed effort with blinkers, a move to cure her recent bout with seconditis. Trainer Dominick Galluscio has an anemic success rate adding blinkers for the first time blinkers, so she has every right to move forward in her second start with the hood. Thursday (11/24) 4TH – VIVA JULIA (Williamstown) showed a much improved effort making first effort off the layoff for new trainer Angel Penna Jr. Exhibited new found early speed to chase the early pace and held well to finish a strong third in a race that quickened noticeably late. 5TH – SOUTH WING (DIXIE BRASS) held well to finish a "close up" third after squandering a daylight lead. Carved out a lively pace and then continued on surprisingly well in a race that was fast throughout. Might benefit if the blinkers were removed, as she appears to be more controllable without them. Friday (11/25) 7TH – FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE (Crafty Friend) exhibited a strong effort returning to a fast main track. Set an ambitious pace on the front end and held well to the finish. Lone win came at Aqueduct, and might be able to handle the inner dirt course. 8TH – Seeking the Ante was a good third despite being a tad overmatched in a Grade 2 stakes event. Finished with interest to grab the show in a swiftly run race, her first effort in more than a month. Broke her maiden over the inner course, and should be able to handle two turns with a little class relief. Saturday (11/26) 2nd – FEROCIOUS WON (Lite the Fuse) finished a good third off a five-week freshening and making first start beyond seven furlongs. Held well chasing a fast pace only to weaken slightly late. Should move forward in second start off the layoff. Would benefit from a cut back in distance back to six furlongs and rating tactics. 4TH – MARITAL ASSET (A.P. Indy) was a sharp second stretching out to a mile. Stalked a lively pace prior to gaining command in the stretch. Tired slowly late when yielding to a fresh closer. Exits a pair of swiftly paced races, and should improve with experience and a more deliberate pace scenario upfront. 9TH – BIG APPLE DADDY (Precise End) was compromised by modest fractions and a lack of running room down the backstretch and around the far turn. Leveled off nicely when finally clear in the stretch, reducing his deficit with every stride. Has versatile running styles and likes the Inner dirt track. Sunday (11/27) 1ST – OJIBWAY (Bugatti Reef [Ire]) had a useful comeback effort off the layoff. Raced a bit wide chasing a fast pace and finished with interest in the stretch in a much needed race. Should have gained beneficial conditioning from this effort, which should set him up for a winter campaign, as he flourishes over the Inner Dirt. 4TH – YOLIE'S CHOICE (Silver Deputy) regressed badly stretching out to a mile off a taxing debut effort. Chased the early pace to far turn before retreating. Will need some time to regroup from these strenuous races and would also benefit from a return to a sprint.
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