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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK JANUARY 4, 2006 by Bernard T. Moore The Aqueduct inner dirt track is widely known for its speed-favoring nature and certainly bolstered its reputation toward that end when Maryland invader TWO SIXTY FOUR (Dance Brightly) wired the field in Wednesday's Alex M. Robb H., which highlighted the first day of racing following an eight-day winter break. Departing from the rail, the Rodney Jenkins-trained runner was able to carve out a modest early pace under regular rider Abel Castellano. As a result, he drew away in the stretch when asked for his best to score by 3 3/4 widening lengths. Naughty New Yorker (Quiet American), who was compromised by a wide trip and the prevailing track bias, did well to finish second, a nose in front of the third-place finisher Carminooch (Tomorrows Cat), the 8-5 favorite. Carminooch appeared to take a few awkward steps shortly after the start and found himself racing in midpack because of the awkward start. He improved his position into the stretch, but was never a serious threat. Trainer Todd Pletcher closed out his 2005 season in New York on a winning note when NAVESINK RIVER (Unbridled) blew away the competition in the stretch to win Saturday's Gallant Fox H. by 5 1/2 decisive lengths. Ridden once again by Mike Luzzi, Navesink River made a bold move to join the pacesetters shortly after entering the backstretch. He remained three-wide while tracking the leaders until the final turn, and subsequently drew away when set down for the stretch drive. India Halo (Arg) (Halo Sunshine), a five year-old mare who was a forward factor from the outset, held well to be a clear second, finishing four lengths clear of the pacesetting Chilly Rooster (Arch). We Can Seek (Chi) (Seeker's Reward), the 5-2 second choice in the wagering, wound up a nondescript sixth. Sunday's Interborough H. lacked much in the way of early speed. COMACINA (Dixie Union), benefiting from that situation, went on to score a front-running victory while making her first start for trainer Carlos Martin. With Pablo Fragoso in the irons, Comacina was able to set a controlled pace as the field raced down the backstretch. She spurted away to a daylight lead in midstretch, and then withstood a belated rally from Fast Laner (Mutakddim) to win by a half-length. The runner-up, who settled in last position early on, leveled off nicely in the stretch, cutting into her deficit with every stride. Schemer (Concern) chased the pace and improved her position upon entering the stretch. However, she lacked the necessary late response and settled for third. Both Bank Audit (Wild Rush), the race favorite, and Amazing Buy (High Yield), the second choice in the wagering, failed to make an any impact. SILVESTRIS (Forest Wildcat) dueled pace nemesis Oprah Winney (Royal Academy) into defeat leaving the far turn, and then proceeded to emerge victorious in the Ruthless S. on Monday. The latter had taken the measure of the Tom Albertrani trained runner last month in the Randaroo S., but the Darley Stable homebred exacted her revenge in the new year, registering her first stakes success in the process. Livermore Valley (Mt. Livermore) finished well for second, beaten 1 1/4 lengths while Jet Set Broad (Artax) got the show. Oprah Winney dropped back to finish last as the 6-5 favorite. Luzzi leads Eibar Coa in the race for leading jockey. Channing Hill, who recently lost his five-pound apprentice allowance, is in third-place, with John Velazquez fourth and apprentice Kyle Kaenel fifth. Pletcher continues top the trainer standings. Richard Dutrow Jr. holds down the second spot with Gary Contessa, Bruce Levine, Allen Jerkens and Scott Lake completing the top five. Early speed ruled when racing returned last Wednesday and continued on into Thursday, but to a lesser degree. That trend appear to vanish completely on Friday, with the track playing evenly over the weekend and on Monday as well. The inside paths were preferable on Wednesday, with that bias being much less visible on Thursday. Wednesday (12/28) 3RD – REMUNERATION (High Yield) was hard used chasing fast fractions stretching out. Understandably gave way in the stretch in a "sneaky good" effort. Would benefit from a class drop to the $25,000 level and a turnback to a sprint. 6TH – DOLL BABY (Citidancer) finished a good third off the shelf. Finished with interest late over a speed biased track with the addition of Lasix. Should move forward off this effort. Thursday (12/29) 3RD – HITHER LANE (Mr. Greeley) came home a creditable second behind a dominant winner in a swiftly run contest. May be better suited to middle distances. 5TH – PRETTY POSSIBLE (Langfuhr) was a much improved third making her first start for trainer Kelly Breen off a layoff. Finished willingly late behind a modest pace over a speed conducive course. Has room for further improvement and has demonstrated an ability to sit closer to the lead in the past. Friday (12/30) 1ST – TRUE GENIUS (Beau Genius) finished well from off-the-pace behind a daylight winner in a good effort. Fits well at the $17,500 claiming level, and appears poised for a strong showing making his third start off the claim. 4TH – WIDELY ACCLAIMED (Aptitude) was a sharp second off the layoff on the drop. Was caught a bit wide around the first turn after a lethargic start from an outside post. Held gamely disputing the lead to the wire in her first effort around two turns in a race that was fast for the class level. Saturday (12/31) 2ND – ALITTLEMOREACTION (Tiger Ridge) came home a good third in her well bet/well meant career debut. Recovered nicely to stalk a good pace after a bit of a lethargic start. Finished with interest late only to be outfinished in an encouraging effort. Has a pedigree for a sprint and to win early in her career. 3RD – R J'S BRIGADE (Gone West) was trapped along the inside behind a modest pace in his initial effort around two turns. Closed belatedly when finally clear in deep stretch to get the place. Should have derived beneficial conditioning and experience from this effort and appears ready for a another good effort in second start off a brief rest. 7TH – MONOPOLY PRICING (Horse Chestnut [SAf]) was ambitiously spotted off a fine tactical win. Chased a very fast pace and finished evenly late attempting to improve his position. Would obviously benefit from some class relief and a better post. Sunday (1/1) 2ND – REGAL ENGAGEMENT (Cat Thief) showed a dramatic form reversal off the layoff. Set a very enterprising pace switching back to dirt stretching out to a distance. Held well to be a clear second behind the odds-on winning favorite. May need some time to recoup from this taxing effort. 7TH – RAPID RICKEY (Artax) suffered a brutal trip turning back to a sprint. Was pinched back at the start and then was relegated to a wide trip as he attempted to improve his position down the backstretch and around the far turn. Finished willingly to get second in a strong effort. May be stretched out to route in his next start. Monday (1/2) 3RD – HOW 'BOUT NO (Precise End) finished a good second returning off the shelf. Held gamely to save the place chasing a loose wire-to-wire winner in a swiftly run race. Has room for further progress in second start off the layoff. 8TH – JET SET BROAD (Artax) comes off a creditable third-place finish in a race that was quick for the class level. Has been overmatched of late while experiencing problems at the start. Would benefit from a drop into a NW1X allowance contest and maybe outfitted with blinkers in subsequent starts.
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