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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK FEBRUARY 21, 2013 by John Mucciolo There were no graded events over the Holiday weekend at the Big A. Track Stats A total of 40 races were held at the Jamaica, New York venue, with favorites winning at a 38 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 60 percent of the wins during the week. From the 40 races on the inner oval, 16 horses won in wire-to-wire fashion (40 percent). It's been a lot of the same at this meeting, with favorites and speed being dominant once again. Friday through Sunday saw 15 winners lead at every call through 30 races, and extremely high rate of 50 percent. The Holiday racing seemed to give closers every chance here. As we've stated, closers can win here, but they can't be traveling wide throughout and expect to kick on to the win, it's best for those types to save ground early and make one run. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Friday (2/15) 4TH -- GLORIOUS VIEW (Pleasant Tap) ran a big one in here for trainer Bill Mott, taking the lead soon after the start and rolling home a fine winner in a solid closing quarter-mile, which was under light pressure. The four-year-old filly is kin to some nice runners and she could be live with winners in her subsequent affair. 6TH -- LOUDER THAN SOUND (Giacomo) stumbled at the start and was wide throughout against the inner bias, yet the four-year-old filly stayed on well to be third in a sneaky good performance for conditioner Marialice Coffey. We would not be surprised to see this filly challenge for the win with a better trip in her return. Saturday (2/16) 2ND -- HEWITTS (Concerto) was chasing lone speed while outside and tired some in the lane, but we liked the way this one battled to only get beaten for the place by less than a length. We think trainer Gary Contessa, who claimed the nine-year-old out of this, will have a live contender in his come back race. 4TH -- JOAN'S CHOICE (Alphabet Soup) got the early jump on a pair of good ones and never looked back in posting a four-length tally for trainer Richard Violette. The six-year-old gelding impressed some when getting his final quarter-mile in :12 4/5 after setting all the pace. Sunday (2/17) 2ND -- THIRD NIGHT (Peruvian) ran as well as one can first out of the chute without graduating, as this sophomore colt finished more than seven lengths clear of third under Junior Alvarado. The Mott charge was not claimed out of this race, and we have a hunch this colt will be at the special weight level next time following such a fine debut showing. 7TH -- DISCREET FORCE (Discreet Cat) put in a determined late rally from well off the early tempo to get a neck clear under the wire in a fine debut score for conditioner Dominic Galluscio. The three-year-old filly did take some money in here so wasn't a total surprise, and she is bred to be a useful sort, so we'll tab her next time for another good showing. Monday (2/18) 4TH -- A shout out goes to SAGINAW (Peruvian) for his most determined win today, where the seven-year-old tracked in second for the duration of the race and got up very late like he knew where the wire was. The priceless New York-bred kicked off his 2013 campaign like he finished most of his races last season – with a victory. A Look Ahead There are no graded stakes upcoming at Aqueduct.
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