Aqueduct Notebook 1-18

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

JANUARY 19

by Bernard T. Moore

While there were not any cancellations at Aqueduct last week, Mother Nature

still let everyone know that she is constantly lurking in the shadows. An

extremely dense fog enveloped the Ozone Park area on Thursday afternoon, shortly

after the running of the 4TH race. Visibility at the racetrack was virtually

nonexistent, as one could barely see a hand in front of you. The remaining races

on the card were contested in this pea soup like fog, and the horses did not

come in view until deep stretch, which gave additional excitement to each race.

As if there is not enough drama already in horseracing.

The Affectionately H. became a supporting feature on the Saturday card when

the race was cancelled the preceding week because of adverse track conditions.

The inner track had been favoring inside speed in recent days, and as a result,

handicappers were quick to install SAINTLINESS (Holy Bull) as the 7-5 favorite.

With little other early speed signed on for this 1 1/16 mile event, the

five-year-old mare was immediately sent to the front from the rail under rider

Richard Migliore.

Saintliness was permitted to dictate a rather ordinary and uncontested pace

on the lead, and was able to parlay those favorable advantages into a hard

fought three-quarter-of-a-length decision over runner-up Miss Fortunate (Deputy

Minister). The second place finisher tracked the pacesetter from the outset, and

was getting to that rival in deep stretch, but unfortunately ran out of ground

late. She remained well clear of Mariakel (Lit De Justice), who finished a

non-threatening third while outlasting the also-rans. Board Elligible (Goldminers

Gold), the other runner in the field who was well supported at the windows,

failed to fire and finished last in a very disappointing effort.

Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, Saintliness kept her unblemished record intact

with this victory and her unbeaten streak over the Aqueduct inner track remained

perfect as well. While there are no concrete plans for Saintliness at the

present time, keeping her in New York doesn't actually seem like a bad idea.

The Count Fleet, a race for three-year-olds, was also won in wire-to-wire

fashion when SCRAPPY T, an appropriately named son of Fit to Fight, repelled a

stiff challenge from Naughty New Yorker (Quiet American) in the stretch to

emerge victorious by a length. Once again, the front-runner was able to dictate

a moderate pace and had more than enough gas left in the tank to withstand all

late comers. Naughty New Yorker uncorked a powerful wide run to come within a

half-length of the winner on the far turn, but was unable to finish the job in

the stretch while easily second best.

This was the initial foray out of New York-bred company for Naughty New

Yorker and he acquitted himself quite well in defeat. Tani Maru (Cherokee Run),

who took the measure of Scrappy T in an allowance contest back in December,

lacked the necessary punch in the stretch when called upon and checked in seven

lengths behind the runner-up. Killenaule (Fusaichi Pegasus), the 5-2 second

choice in the race, finished a well-beaten seventh and did not appear to have

any visible excuses.

Scrappy T, a gelding who was purchased for $35,000 in April of 2004,

continues to improve with each start. He has demonstrated an admirable quality

in that he relishes a heated battle for the lead, and one can only surmise that

further progress should be forthcoming.

Early speed continued to dominate the results of the stakes contests over the

weekend as AMAZING BUY (High Yield) stretched out successfully in her first

start vs. winners to annex the Busanda S. on Sunday. The prohibitive choice in

the one-mile and 70-yard race for three-year-old fillies, she was confidently

ridden by jockey Norberto Arroyo as she stalked tepid fractions down the

backstretch. Amazing Buy was not cut loose until after she had entered the

stretch, and then proceeded to demonstrate her superiority over competition as

she edged away to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Pelham Bay (Smart Strike) finished

second after being bottled up along the rail down the backstretch and around the

far turn. However, once she secured racing room in the stretch, she failed to

kick it in and just held the place by a nose over an oncoming Pretty Partisan

(Badge).

Amazing Buy is trained by Jennifer Pedersen, whose barn has come alive since

Aqueduct opened. The winner is unbeaten since treated with Lasix, and owner

Ernie Paragallo believes she'll only get better as she stretches out in

distance. He said Amazing Buy will be pointed toward the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Maddy's Lion (Lion Hearted), taking full advantage of his quick turn of foot

and an inside post, scored an impressive daylight victory in the Jimmy Winkfield

S. on Martin Luther King Day. The Maryland homebred was immediately hustled away

from the gate by jockey Pablo Fragoso to set a pressured pace. He was hounded on

the front end by the 3-2 favorite, More Smoke (Smoke Glacken), who had tasted

defeat on only one occasion up until this point. Maddy's Lion was able to

dispose of the runner-up in the stretch, kicking into to overdrive late to win

by 6 1/4 widening lengths. More Smoke, who tried in vain to match strides with

the winner, was easily second best and remained well clear of Lieutenant Danz

(Gold Fever), who finished a distant third.

This was the second inner track victory for Maddy's Lion and first against

open stakes rivals. He was bred by owner Dennis Federico and is trained by John

Pregman Jr., who is having a fine winter track meet from just a handful of

starters.

Inside speed was dominant when racing resumed on Wednesday, but became less

pronounced as the week wore on. In fact, there were no apparent biases on Sunday

or on the special Holiday card.

Rafael Bejarano continues to lead all riders with 41 victories, 10 more than

Norberto Arroyo Jr. who holds down the second spot. Shaun Bridgmohan has 26

winners to his credit, followed by Aaron T. Gryder with 22 scores. Richard

Migliore rounds out the top 5.

Richard Dutrow Jr. and Scott Lake are tied for leading trainer honors with 14

wins each, two ahead of Gary Contessa. Tom Bush, who was in a dead-heat for

first place last week with Dutrow, dropped to fourth on the list and is now tied

with Mike Hushion.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (1/12)

4TH – CASEY'S GOLD FEVER (Gold Fortune) exhibited improved speed with the

addition of blinkers. Unfortunately, he was unlucky to encounter a well bet/well

meant first timer who dominated the competition from start to finish. Fits very

well at the $20,000 level.

8TH – TWINKIE ZONE (Wild Zone) finished a sharp second returning from a

freshening. Closed well late against a wire-to-wire winner who was permitted to

roam free over a speed conducive track. Newfound ability to handle moisture is a

definite plus.

Thursday (1/13)

2ND – GLAMDRING (Marquetry) turned in an improved effort dropping down to the

$16,000 level and switching riders. Finished with good energy in a race that

quickened late. Loves six furlongs on the inner and relishes even the slightest

hint of moisture in the track.

3RD – FREEDOM RIDGE (Quaker Ridge) was a good third at long odds turning back

to a sprint without blinkers. Closed well in the stretch behind a loose

front-runner over a speed favoring track.

Friday (1/14)

3RD – CHICAGO'S GIRL (Go for Gin) closed strongly late to gain the place off

a layoff. Finished with good energy despite a modest pace on a speed-biased

track.

8TH – TAX THE QUEEN (Artax) used the wrong tactics chasing a quick pace

dictated by a sprinter who stretched out to win. Prefers to settle and make one

run. May also favor a dry track as well.

Saturday (1/15)

2ND – APRIL TRUE (Yes It's True), John Servis firster, ran quite well in

career debut. Set a lively pace for the class level to the stretch and weakened

gradually late. Bred top and bottom for a dirt sprint and to win early in her

career.

8TH – Naughty New Yorker offered a strong second-place showing tackling open

company rivals for the first time. Hampered by an ordinary pace on the lead.

Still was able to unleash a powerful run on the turn to reach contention and

finished with good energy in a race that quickened noticeably late.

Sunday (1/16)

2ND – THUNDER'S COMIN (Thunder Gulch), a firster from Pletcher, received only

lukewarm support at the betting windows. Broke sluggishly from the gate and was

a bit slow to find his best stride. Finished with interest late in a swiftly run

race despite racing greenly and failing to switch to his proper lead. Appears as

though he would appreciate more ground and could benefit if blinkers were added.

6TH – WAR FRONT (Danzig) was a much improved third at a distance of ground in

second career start. Very rank and extremely hard to rate chasing a strong pace

on the front end, the sophomore dispensed a strong move to hit the front on the

far turn, but weakened under pressure in deep stretch. Should have derived

beneficial conditioning and experience from this effort. Grass may be in his

future down the road as his dam excelled on turf.

Monday (1/17)

9TH – TWOOUTSINTHENINTH (Gold Token) simply toyed with an overmatched field

of MSW rivals. Can successfully handle a jump into a preliminary allowance

contest if properly spotted. This three-year-old gelding has begun to blossom

since stretched out by Hushion.