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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK APRIL 24, 2008 by Bernard T. Moore A reminder to everyone that this is closing week at Aqueduct. Racing will shift to Belmont Park on April 30, with first post remaining at 1 p.m. (EDT). Since coming under trainer Gary Contessa's care this winter, RITE MOMENT (Vicar) has been a veritable gem of consistency. Once again, this four-old-year filly showed her brilliance by annexing the Bed o' Roses H. (G2) on Saturday. A forward factor from the start, Rite Moment displaced the pacesetting Cowgirls Don't Cry (Pure Prize) on the front end as the field made its way around the far turn. She slowly began to edge away from that rival upon entering the stretch, and subsequently turned back a determined late bid from Lady Marlboro (Smoke Glacken) to win by 1 1/4 lengths. The latter, who was outrun early on, found her best stride leaving the far turn. She sustained her bid to the finish, but was left with to much work to do and could do no better than second. Cowgirls Don't Cry, who rebounded with a good effort off an abysmal showing in the Next Move H. (G3) in her most recent start, held well to salvage the show. Golden Dawn (Hennessy), bet down to even-money favoritism, raced within striking distance until the stretch, but was one-paced late and could do no better than a fourth-place finish. On Sunday, R CLEAR VICTORY (Victory Gallop), under jockey Stewart Elliott, carved out a pedestrian pace in the Kings Point H. for New York-breds at 1 1/8 miles. The end result was exactly what you would expect as R Clear Victory spurted away from the competition into to triumph by four decisive lengths. Shuffling Maddnes (Real Quiet), devoid of early speed, closed belatedly while outside of runners in the stretch and got the place in the final strides by a head over Prince of Peace (Regal Classic). The latter defeated R Clear Victory in their most recent confrontation, but was unable to overhaul that rival in the stretch and wound up finishing third. A major disappointment in the races was Naughty New Yorker (Quiet American), who had to be pushed along to keep pace entering the far turn. He failed to improve his position, finishing last as the 3-5 odds-on favorite. There main track was speed favoring on Friday and Sunday. The turf course remained bias-free all week. HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (4/16) 1ST - SHELBY'S MEMORY (Forest Camp) was used up to argue a very quick pace on the drop. She held well into the stretch, and then managed to save the place. The bay is definitely at her best when able to secure a clear, uncontested lead. 2ND - MISTY DAYLIGHT (Seeking Daylight) put forth a much improved effort on the drop while adding blinkers. She was able to carry her speed into the stretch, and was clearly best behind a dominant daylight winner. The lass appears to have found a home vs. maiden-claiming competition. Thursday (4/17) 2ND - Z TO K FEVER (Stormin Fever) showed a dramatic reversal in form getting off the inner track and dropping in class. She exhibited much-improved speed chasing fast fractions, and finished well in a swiftly run contest while second best. 7TH - SUMMER PATRIOT (Unbridled's Song) closed belatedly in his well-bet/well-meant turf debut while finishing third. The gray would have been closer with clear sailing in the stretch, and should have derived beneficial conditioning/experience from this effort. Friday (4/18) 1ST - MARQUIS DIAMOND (Yonaguska) humbled an overmatched field of limited winners off the shelf. The dark bay miss can probably win right back, even with a slight hike in class. 3RD - SHOPIT (Yes It's True) ran well to finish third in her New York debut. She was compromised by a modest pace and speed favoring track in her first start vs. winners, and can move forward off this effort, especially at her Belmont Park home base. 8TH - IN COMMAND (Siphon [Brz]) was allowed to drop too far behind modest early fractions over a speed track. She finished with interest late to get the show. Would obviously benefit from some class relief going forward. Saturday (4/19) 7TH - P. R. PAUL (Elusive Quality) was an impressive daylight winner in very fast time. The bay colt set a controlled pace, drew away at will and was never asked for his best. The sophomore appears to have a future, and looks to be capable of handling a middle distance. 9TH - Lady Marlboro simply leveled off too late, nearly running down a perfect-trip winner while returning from a 3 1/2-month freshening. A dead-heat graded stakes winner at one-mile, I anticipate she will be stretched out off this showing. Sunday (4/20) 6TH - ACE OF HEARTS (American Chance) regressed while stepping up and chasing a very quick pace off a brief rest. She gave way noticeably in the stretch, tiring badly to finish a distant sixth. Needs a more suitable pace scenario/limited winners to be at her best.
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