Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT

NOTEBOOK

November 17

by Bernard T. Moore

The first stakes race of the week at the "Big A"

took place on Thursday's Veteran's Day program. That contest was

the $61,000 Soaring Softly S. at one mile on the turf for three-year-old

fillies. Top honors went to RIGHT THIS WAY (West By West) who

outgamed five other rivals in a blanket finish to post a well-deserved

three-quarter-of-a-length victory. A prominent factor from the

outset, Right This Way was ridden by top grass jockey Edgar

Prado, who engaged the leaders on the far turn while racing

outside of rivals.

When the Barclay Tagg-trained filly was set down in earnest in

the stretch drive, she responded willingly by edging away late

from her opposition over a grass course listed as good.

Humoristic (Sefapiano) rallied belatedly to gain the place,

winning a tight photo over Tuesday Prayer (Holy Bull), who gave

ground grudgingly in the stretch after attending the early pace.

On Saturday, CLASSIC ENDEAVOR (Silver Buck) was sent

immediately to the lead from his inside post and never

surrendered his advantage, annexing the Stuyvesant H. (G3).

Trained by Richard Dutrow Jr., the six-year-old relaxed nicely on

the front end for Prado while dictating modest fractions. Classic

Endeavor was well within himself as he held off a final bid by

Colita (Grindstone) before eventually posting a decisive 1 1/2-length

victory over a good main track. Country Be Gold (Summer Squall)

finished evenly late for third. 

This was Classic Endeavor's second victory since Dutrow

claimed him for $50,000 in August at Saratoga, and his first

stakes victory for his new connections. Powerful Touch (Touch

Gold), the 3-2 favorite in the Stuyvesant, raced within striking

position throughout, but came up empty in the stretch when called

upon and finished next to last.

The final stakes race of the week on Sunday saw nine evenly

matched juveniles enter the starting gate in the six-furlong

Huntington. MAGOO'S MAGIC (Awesome Again) bounded away from the

gate to secure an early lead, and he would maintain that position

en route to a 3 1/2-length victory. Conditioned by Hall of Fame

trainer Allen Jerkens, Magoo's Magic rated kindly for rider

Javier Castellano on the lead before stealing away to an

insurmountable lead in the stretch, outrunning his eight rivals

as a double-digit odd longshot in the Huntington. Storm Creek

Rising (Storm Creek) gave resolute chase to the winner

throughout, and held well for second, finishing a length ahead of

Tani Maru (Cherokee Run), who closed for third. The 2-1 race

favorite, Malheur (Saint Ballado), was never a serious threat,

and crossed the finish line a well-beaten fifth.

Aqueduct's main track favored Early types to begin the week.

That advantage seemed to disappear with a wet track on Friday and

Saturday, before eventually returning on Sunday as the course

dried out. On the days that there was grass racing, no pronounced

bias was evident. The outside paths held a significant edge on

Friday and Saturday, while the inside was definitely the place to

be on Sunday.

Handicappers Note: When handicapping distance races at

Aqueduct (one mile or longer), consider this: post positions 10

thru 12 have produced just one winner from 26 starts, less than 4

percent. Definitely food for thought.

It should come as no surprise that Dutrow tops the trainer's

standings. He saddled four winners last week, two of which came

off layoffs to bring his total for the meet to 14. James Jerkens

has six winners, good enough for second, only one ahead of five

trainers who are tied for third with five wins each. Jennifer

Pedersen is among that group, and her stable seems to have come

alive since racing switched to Aqueduct, where her horses are

usually stabled.

Prado holds a three-win lead over Pablo Fragoso Jr. in the

jockey's standings. Prado had two stakes victories last week,

including one for Dutrow, who is one of his main clients.

Castellano, Cornelio Velasquez and Norberto Arroyo Jr. round out

the top five.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (11/10)

4TH - MISS LAKEFIELD (Meadowlake) was a sharp-looking debut

winner from Gary Contessa, who is not known for winning with

first timers. The juvenile miss relaxed nicely off a sizzling

quarter mile before inhaling the pacesetter shortly after

entering the stretch under a rating hold while drawing off to a

daylight lead. Continued to finish strongly once switching to her

proper lead, and galloped out well after the wire.

5TH - SMOKIEISABANDIT (Smoke Glacken) appreciated the class

relief dropping down to the $16,000 level and switching to

Aqueduct. Held gamely setting a quick pressured pace in a much-improved

effort. Does not like to yield when making the lead. Awarded the

victory via a steward's disqualification.

Thursday (11/11)

4TH - RAF AND READY (Raffie's Majesty) turned in a dramatic

form reversal in second career start at long odds. Showcased

newfound early speed to chase a lively pace while stretching-out

and adding Lasix. Finished with good energy racing between

runners in the stretch under modest encouragement despite her

rider losing the whip in a race that finished up well late.

7TH - MAHZOUZ (Charismatic) has fallen victim to unflattering

pace scenarios in most recent starts. Clearly second-best here

while chasing a wire-to-wire winner who benefited by setting an

unchallenged pedestrian pace over a speed conducive course.

Sophomore needs a little help on the front end to show his best.

Friday (11/12)

4TH - PRETTY PARTISAN (Badge) finished a sharp second in well

meant debut. Missed the break and then veered sharply towards the

rail from post 1, immediately costing him a couple of lengths.

Forced to steady a bit racing down the backstretch as well.

Continued to race along the deeper inside on the turn, and into

the stretch before settling suddenly while continuing along the

rail. Made up considerable ground late to an odds-on favorite who

benefited from a perfect stalking trip. Bred on both sides of her

pedigree to relish a route of ground.

9TH - STORM THIEF (Cat Thief) was the second choice in the

wagering in her unveiling to a solid dropdown favorite. Became

embroiled in a four-horse battle for the lead while racing along

the deeper inside. Won the pace battle, but eventually lost the

war to a decisive winner who took the overland route to score.

Clearly not abused in the stretch while easily second best and is

a strong candidate to graduate soon.

Saturday (11/13)

4TH - STORM STRIP (Comic Strip) wound up an unlucky third in

her second career start. Leapt into the air at the break, costing

her several lengths, and was then hustled into contention to

stalk the pace along the deeper inside down the backstretch.

Could not get off a dead rail on the turn and into the stretch,

and finished with interest late. Without question, she would have

been second with a better trip, and might have won if able to

maneuver into the better going.

6TH - WING MAN (A.P Jet) was checked shortly after the break

in his well bet/well meant return. Recovered to race behind

horses down the backstretch, which he did not appreciate as he

seemed to shy away from dirt being kicked into his face. Guided

to the extreme outside by Santos, the two-year-old proceeded to

level off nicely, making a bold wide run into the stretch. Failed

to sustain that rally as his rustiness became apparent late. We

should eventually see him stretched out to two turns as his Grade

1-winning dam (Clabber Girl) has produced four route winners and

was at her best at longer distances (finished second in 1 1/4-mile

Breeders' Cup Distaff [G1] in 1987).

Sunday (11/14)

3RD - SHOP AGAIN (Wild Again) finished a much-improved second

switching to Aqueduct and turning back to a sprint. Forced to

chase modest fractions while racing three-wide virtually the

entire way. Closed resolutely in the stretch in a sharp effort.

6TH - SUNRISE AT SIX (Salt Lake) gave an encouraging effort in

her career debut for top trainer Dutrow. Forced to rally outside

of runners vs. an inside speed favoring course, the juvenile

filly closed well late for the place in a swiftly run race. Raced

a bit greenly behind a well bet/well meant debut winner, who

coincidentally was piloted by Dutrow's "go to" rider (Prado).

Sunrise at Six may appreciate more ground.