Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

DECEMBER 1, 2011

by John Mucciolo

A bevy of graded races headlined the Holiday week at Aqueduct.

Cigar Mile H. (G1): Live Oak Plantation's TO HONOR AND SERVE took command in early

stretch and drove home a convincing 1 3/4-length winner under Jose

Lezcano. By Bernardini, the high-quality sophomore sped one mile in a snappy 1:33 4/5 for

trainer Bill Mott.

Gazelle S. (G1): Stronach Stables' champion AWESOME FEATHER remained

unbeaten in her career with an authoritative 5 1/4-length romp in this spot for

trainer Chad Brown. The sophomore daughter of Awesome of Course took over readily when asked by Jeffrey

Sanchez, eventually stopping the timer in 1:50 for nine furlongs.

Remsen S. (G2): Donegal Racing's O'PRADO AGAIN inched clear to a

three-quarters of a length tally in this one for conditioner Dale Romans. By El

Prado, the

improving two-year-old went nine panels on the main strip in 1:52 under the

guidance of Kent Desormeaux.

Demoiselle S. (G2): Glencrest Farm's DISPOSABLEPLEASURE ran the race of the week in

nearly falling at the start, steadying along the back stretch and powering home

gamely to win by a nose under Ramon Dominguez. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the

daughter of Giacomo got 1 1/8

miles on the main oval in 1:53 to post her initial graded win.

Go for Wand S. (G2): Barry K Schwartz's LOVELY LIL took a short lead at the half-mile

marker and gamely stayed on to the finish in a fine effort for conditioner

Michael Hushion. The speedy four-year-old finished off one mile on the main oval

1:36 4/5 with Cornelio Velasquez in the irons.

Fall Highweight H. (G3): West Point Thoroughbreds' SUNRISE SMARTY took the lead soon

after the start and fought off all pursuers in posting a half-length tally in

here under Dominguez. The four-year-old colt, trained by Michael Hushion,

stopped the teletimer in 1:09 4/5 while toting 130 pounds.

Track Stats

A total of 47 races were held over Jamaica, New York, venue, with favorites

winning at a 40 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 51

percent of the wins during the week. From 39 races on the main oval, six animals

won in wire-to-wire fashion (15 percent), and one runner led at every call on

the lawn from eight races (12 percent).

We saw a few different main ovals this week. Wednesday and Thursday played

kindly to speed runners and horses with inside draws. The latter produced four

wire-to-wire winners, and eight of the nine winners breaking from the inner

three slots.

From Friday through Sunday, not a single horse led at every call on the dirt.

Saturday was very good to outer paths, as five of the seven winners on the main

strip broke from post seven of wider.

The turf continues to be very hard on early leaders, though we finally got

our first wire-to-wire winner on the lawn after two and a half weeks of racing.

Meet Totals

RACES:		162
DIRT:		119
TURF:		43
FAVORITES:		65 (40 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		27 (17 percent)
TURF WIRE:		1 (2 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		25 (21 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (11/23)

5TH -- CAPTAINS CAT was clearly second best in this one and

lost to a runner who has flashed promise in the past. The Chad Brown-trained

gelding won't be a maiden for long.

Thursday (11/24)

5TH -- MARION RAVENWOOD fought off a persistent challenge in the

lane to post a solid 1 1/4-length win in this one for trainer Graham Motion. The

talented sophomore daughter of A.P. Indy seems capable of running on anything and should be

graded bound next time.

Saturday (11/26)

5TH -- TERM LOAN ran a winning race in defeat in this spot and

can't be ignored going forward. The juvenile colt should graduate soon.

6TH -- WILDCAT'S SMILE was tenacious in rallying right before

the finish in here and was a touch unlucky not to have won this race. The New

York-bred will be a nice money earner for these connections with steady

progress.

7TH -- We recall trainer Dale Romans talking up O'Prado Again prior to his

debut run, and it seems he was right after watching this one gamely pass this

well-matched field in his debut with winners. The expensive auction buy should

have a big 2012 in front of him.

Sunday (11/27)

3RD -- OFF LIMITS was sharp in graduating in here for Bill Mott, and

the sophomore filly could have a very bright future, especially as the distances

increase. The juvenile daughter of Include came home in :24 3/5 and looked like she had plenty

left late.

A Look Ahead

There are no graded races this weekend at Aqueduct.