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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK JANUARY 21, 2010 by Albie Johnson Last week was a long one around here with the holiday on Monday meaning a live race card making for six days of action in a row with the weather cooperating until the final two cards. There were no graded events scheduled again, but there was a trio of overnight stakes on the menu and we'll take them in the order that they were run. On Saturday, the Evening Attire S. for older runners was contested and a small field of six went to the gate, headed by an entry that was owned by Paul Pompa Jr. but had separate trainers. That duo looked to have the rest of the group at it's mercy and that's the way it played out on the racetrack. The race was over early as UNDERSTATEMENT (Distorted Humor) sprinted to an early lead in the 1 1/16-mile test and was never threatened, coasting home by 4 1/2 lengths over his stablemate Well Positioned (Awesome Again). For the record, Storm Play (Smart Strike) checked in third, 13 1/2 lengths behind the place runner. Todd Pletcher trained the winner, continuing a hot streak on this circuit that dates back to late September, and David Cohen, who has impressed in his first winter around here, had a arm-chair ride. Sunday's feature, the Affectionately S. for older fillies and mares, drew a half-dozen and was run on a muddy, sealed surface. As expected, the early leader was Yes She's a Lady (Yes It's True) and she held until the top of the stretch when the public choice, TIDAL DANCE (Pleasant Tap), swept by her and drew off to an easy 2 1/2-length score. The fast-closing Pumpkin Shell (Lion Heart) grabbed second and had a 8 1/2-length margin on the pacesetter, who backed up readily once displaced on the front end. The victorious mare has run well in all her starts for Mike Hushion after coming here from the west coast and Ramon Dominguez contributed his usual patient effort. Racing on the holiday was highlighted by the Jimmy Winkfield S., a sprint for recently turned sophomores. The public settled on a Pletcher-trained colt for favoritism -- Citizen's Arrest (More Than Ready) who hadn't raced since his maiden win on November 21. The race was decided after a quarter-mile when Philadelphia Park shipper DEPUTY DANEY (Officer) was able to open up a clear lead after an early pace battle. Never never seriously threatened from that point on, he was under some right-handed urging to report home by 1 1/4 lengths over Red Bengal (Hold That Tiger), who had just under six lengths on third-place finisher Mia's Angel (Even the Score). The winning gelding kept his record perfect at three-for-three and is in the very capable barn of mid-Atlantic regular Cathal Lynch, who brought rider Angel Arroyo up from Philly for the mount. TRACK CONDITIONS The track was fast from Wednesday through Saturday. Sunday's card started with a fast surface but was sealed later and deteriorated from good to muddy as the card went along. The holiday card started off as muddy and was upgraded to good after the 4TH race. Sprint races again showed no favoritism as to post or style, but there was a strong inside bias on display in the two-turn contests. Through during the early part of this meet there are familiar names on top of the leader board in the trainers and jockey's races, with both Gary Contessa and Dominguez holding sizeable leads in their respective categories. HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (1/13) 3RD -- MOOSE MAN (Omega Code) chased the wire-to-wire winner from the start and held his position until the last 100 yards when he was passed for the place spot. Steve Klesaris-trained runner should find a field he can boss around at this bottom tag ($7,500) soon. 8TH -- RICORIATOA (Smarty Jones) pressed the early pace in this two-turn contest running for the first time off a Dom Galluscio claim on November 14, opened up a clear advantage on the far turn, but tired during the stretch run to finish fourth. Looked like he was just a bit short in this class jump and he should move forward off the return run. Thursday (1/14) 2ND -- Many fillies were severely hampered in this sprint when an outside runner veered over but SMART WOMAN (Smarty Jones) appeared to take the worst of it as she was almost stopped cold. To her credit, she recovered to finish a distant third and certainly would have been much closer than the final margin. Filly deserves another chance. 4TH -- QUEENAMEINA (Read the Footnotes) dropped in price and stretched out in distance for her second start, raced close-up early in the mile maiden contest, took over turning for home, but after opening a clear lead was unable to hold on, losing by a neck. It was a much improved effort and just a small step forward will get her picture taken next out. Friday (1/15) 1ST -- Stretched out off a sprint just eight days prior to this effort, TURAATH (Silver Deputy) just failed in this $25K claiming contest after a hard chase of a wire-to-wire winner. Next time. 7TH -- Running for the first time since November 15, LOOKIN AT HER (Hook and Ladder) returned with a strong race to finish a close-up third after racing up and on the pace throughout. The race was encouraging and a slight move forward next out should get the job done. Saturday (1/16) 2ND -- SCALE (Hook and Ladder) broke in stride, set a fast pace and tired late to finish third while making his debut in a maiden state-bred contest that was won by his more experienced entry-mate. Good initial effort and he'll win soon. 8TH -- Impressive looking win by TOULOUSE LAUTREC (More Than Ready) as lightly raced and talented colt won easily after stalking early. This race was his first since August 1 and first off a trainer switch to Bruce Levine. May be stakes bound locally next out. Sunday (1/17) 7TH -- HOOKED ON MONEY (Hook and Ladder) had a difficult trip as she raced between runners the whole race and was forced to steady sharply while midway through the turn. Effort should guarantee a good price next out. Monday (1/18) 2ND -- Encouraging debut by COMICAL (Ghostzapper) as he rallied for the place to a long-gone winner while racing at a difficult debuting distance (one mile) over a track labeled muddy. The $200,000 yearling looks like he has some talent. UPCOMING STAKES No graded contests are scheduled but we'll note any race that we deem significant. Have a nice week!
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