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AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK FEBRUARY 8, 2012 by John Mucciolo There was a pair of graded races this week at Aqueduct, with a surging sophomore at center stage. Withers S. (G3): Godolphin's homebred ALPHA proved his class in the lane when easing clear of his overmatched foes for conditioner Kiaran McLaughlin. The steadily improving son of Bernardini got 1 1/16 miles in 1:44 1/5 en route to first graded tally. Ramon Dominguez rode the winner. Toboggan S. (G3): Repole Stable's CALIBRACHOA tracked in second to the top of the lane, inched to a small lead in early stretch and powered home a 2 1/4-length victor in this spot beneath Cornelio Velasquez. The five-year-old Todd Pletcher trainee stopped the teletimer in 1:09 2/5 for six panels on the fast main oval. Track Stats A total of 46 races were held over Jamaica, New York venue, with favorites winning at a 41 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 57 percent of the wins during the week. From 46 races on the main oval, 11 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (24 percent). There was no turf racing held this past week. We witnessed another good week for the favorites, especially on Saturday when seven top choices came through from 10 races. Oddly, no horse led at every call on that day, but we saw 11 wire-to-wire winners from the remaining 35 races for the week. Horses breaking from wider than post six took only four of the 46 races during the past five racing days. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (2/2) 7TH -- RISK A CHANCE looked pretty sharp in the stretch in this one for trainer John Kimmel and the four-year-old filly can win right back leading into a strong form cycle. The blue-blooded daughter of A.P. Indy could be a stakes player in the near future. 8TH -- FALAAH tracked the early lead and took over readily when asked under Alan Garcia, eventually drawing off to a 4 3/4-length win. The five-year-old finished off his final quarter-mile in a rapid :23 and has strung together a few fine runs in succession. Friday (2/3) 2ND -- MOONLIGHT SONG took a lot of money and deservedly so, as the debuter looked the part in a fine maiden tally for trainer Charlton Baker. We take note of all runners that win first out going two turns. 7TH --CROSSBOW got back to what he does best, sprinting, and delivered a facile score in this spot for McLaughlin. The four-year-old will be back facing stakes foes next time following this one. Saturday (2/4) 4TH -- INFLATION TARGET got the job done in a professional manner in this one under David Cohen, inching clear to a 1 3/4-length tally. The full-brother to Travers runner-up Rattlesnake Bridge seemingly has a bright future ahead of him. Sunday (2/5) 3RD -- CATCH THE SPIRIT was a sharp second at first asking in this one, finishing more than four lengths clear of her nearest foe. The sophomore should be very tough second time out for trainer Chad Brown. 7TH -- ISN'T SHE GRAND was tons the best in here for trainer Rudy Rodriguez and the talented five-year-old will always be especially tough in these starter events. A Look Ahead There are no graded races carded this week at The Big A.
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