Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

JANUARY 21, 2010

by Albie Johnson

Last week was a long one around here with the holiday on Monday meaning a

live race card making for six days of action in a row with the weather

cooperating until the final two cards.

There were no graded events scheduled again, but there was a trio of

overnight stakes on the menu and we'll take them in the order that they were

run.

On Saturday, the Evening Attire S. for older runners was contested and a

small field of six went to the gate, headed by an entry that was owned by Paul

Pompa Jr. but had separate trainers. That duo looked to have the rest of the

group at it's mercy and that's the way it played out on the racetrack.

The race was over early as UNDERSTATEMENT (Distorted Humor) sprinted to an

early lead in the 1 1/16-mile test and was never threatened, coasting home by 4

1/2 lengths over his stablemate Well Positioned (Awesome Again). For the record,

Storm Play (Smart Strike) checked in third, 13 1/2 lengths behind the place

runner.

Todd Pletcher trained the winner, continuing a hot streak on this circuit

that dates back to late September, and David Cohen, who has impressed in his

first winter around here, had a arm-chair ride.

Sunday's feature, the Affectionately S. for older fillies and mares, drew a

half-dozen and was run on a muddy, sealed surface. As expected, the early leader

was Yes She's a Lady (Yes It's True) and she held until the top of the stretch

when the public choice, TIDAL DANCE (Pleasant Tap), swept by her and drew off to

an easy 2 1/2-length score. The fast-closing Pumpkin Shell (Lion Heart) grabbed

second and had a 8 1/2-length margin on the pacesetter, who backed up readily

once displaced on the front end.

The victorious mare has run well in all her starts for Mike Hushion after

coming here from the west coast and Ramon Dominguez contributed his usual

patient effort.

Racing on the holiday was highlighted by the Jimmy Winkfield S., a sprint for

recently turned sophomores. The public settled on a Pletcher-trained colt for

favoritism -- Citizen's Arrest (More Than Ready) who hadn't raced since his

maiden win on November 21.

The race was decided after a quarter-mile when Philadelphia Park shipper

DEPUTY DANEY (Officer) was able to open up a clear lead after an early pace

battle. Never never seriously threatened from that point on, he was under some

right-handed urging to report home by 1 1/4 lengths over Red Bengal (Hold That

Tiger), who had just under six lengths on third-place finisher Mia's Angel (Even

the Score).

The winning gelding kept his record perfect at three-for-three and is in the

very capable barn of mid-Atlantic regular Cathal Lynch, who brought rider Angel

Arroyo up from Philly for the mount.

TRACK CONDITIONS

The track was fast from Wednesday through Saturday. Sunday's card started

with a fast surface but was sealed later and deteriorated from good to muddy as

the card went along. The holiday card started off as muddy and was upgraded to

good after the 4TH race.

Sprint races again showed no favoritism as to post or style, but there was a

strong inside bias on display in the two-turn contests.

Through during the early part of this meet there are familiar names on top of

the leader board in the trainers and jockey's races, with both Gary Contessa and

Dominguez holding sizeable leads in their respective categories.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (1/13)

3RD -- MOOSE MAN (Omega Code) chased the wire-to-wire winner from the start

and held his position until the last 100 yards when he was passed for the place

spot. Steve Klesaris-trained runner should find a field he can boss around at

this bottom tag ($7,500) soon.

8TH -- RICORIATOA (Smarty Jones) pressed the early pace in this two-turn

contest running for the first time off a Dom Galluscio claim on November 14,

opened up a clear advantage on the far turn, but tired during the stretch run to

finish fourth. Looked like he was just a bit short in this class jump and he

should move forward off the return run.

Thursday (1/14)

2ND -- Many fillies were severely hampered in this sprint when an outside

runner veered over but SMART WOMAN (Smarty Jones) appeared to take the worst of

it as she was almost stopped cold. To her credit, she recovered to finish a

distant third and certainly would have been much closer than the final margin.

Filly deserves another chance.

4TH -- QUEENAMEINA (Read the Footnotes) dropped in price and stretched out in

distance for her second start, raced close-up early in the mile maiden contest,

took over turning for home, but after opening a clear lead was unable to hold

on, losing by a neck. It was a much improved effort and just a small step

forward will get her picture taken next out.

Friday (1/15)

1ST -- Stretched out off a sprint just eight days prior to this effort,

TURAATH (Silver Deputy) just failed in this $25K claiming contest after a hard

chase of a wire-to-wire winner. Next time.

7TH -- Running for the first time since November 15, LOOKIN AT HER (Hook and

Ladder) returned with a strong race to finish a close-up third after racing up

and on the pace throughout. The race was encouraging and a slight move forward

next out should get the job done.

Saturday (1/16)

2ND -- SCALE (Hook and Ladder) broke in stride, set a fast pace and tired

late to finish third while making his debut in a maiden state-bred contest that

was won by his more experienced entry-mate. Good initial effort and he'll win

soon.

8TH -- Impressive looking win by TOULOUSE LAUTREC (More Than Ready) as

lightly raced and talented colt won easily after stalking early. This race was

his first since August 1 and first off a trainer switch to Bruce Levine. May be

stakes bound locally next out.

Sunday (1/17)

7TH -- HOOKED ON MONEY (Hook and Ladder) had a difficult trip as she raced

between runners the whole race and was forced to steady sharply while midway

through the turn. Effort should guarantee a good price next out.

Monday (1/18)

2ND -- Encouraging debut by COMICAL (Ghostzapper) as he rallied for the place

to a long-gone winner while racing at a difficult debuting distance (one mile)

over a track labeled muddy. The $200,000 yearling looks like he has some talent.

UPCOMING STAKES

No graded contests are scheduled but we'll note any race that we deem

significant.

Have a nice week!