Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

FEBRUARY 9, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

While many people rely on Punxsutawney Phil, a groundhog on Gobbler's Knob in

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to predict how many more weeks of winter remain,

horseplayers who handicap the races in New York are used to a much more

simplified approach.

For years, Aqueduct has held a special Presidents' Day program, which takes

place this year on Monday, February. 21. This special day of racing has served

as a welcome indication that spring is just around the corner. New York, which

everyone knows, is one of the major racing venues in the country for much of the

year. Annually, it is forced to take a back seat to Gulfstream and Santa Anita

during the bitter cold months of winter.

The President's Day card serves notice that racing over the Aqueduct main

track is not that far away, which also signifies the return of many of the

high-powered stables from South Florida, as well as Louisiana and Arkansas.

Everyone anxiously waits for the day when NYRA racecaller Tom Durkin

enthusiastically pronounces the condition of the turf course as "Firm." Of

course, the snow has to melt and the grass has to thaw out before that can take

place.

For the time being, racing continues over the inner track. Saturday's

featured contest, the Correction H. at six furlongs for fillies and

mares, contained the heavily favored Bank Audit (Wild Rush), who was shooting for her fourth

straight victory in her initial start for trainer Frank Labocetta Jr. However, a

win was not in the cards for the 1-2 favorite as LAVENDER LASS (Skip Trial) sat

a perfect stalking trip off a rather ordinary pace and then withstood all late

challenges to post a half-length victory.

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Lavender Lass

seized the lead in midstretch after disposing of the front-runner and then held

gamely as Bank Audit's late rally fell short. Santa Croce (Saint Ballado) closed belatedly for third

but was never a serious threat.

The inner track played favorably to early speed all week, and that held true

for both sprints and routes. The bias was at its strongest on Saturday. The

inside paths seemed preferable on Saturday as well, but were uniform otherwise.

Scott Lake holds a narrow one-win lead over Gary Contessa and Richard Dutrow

Jr. who are tied for the second spot in the trainer standings. Bruce Levine is a

distant fourth with Tom Bush and Kiaran McLaughlin in a dead-heat for fifth.

Bejarano is in a race of his own for leading rider, holding a 16-win

edge over Norberto Arroyo Jr. in second. Shaun Bridgmohan, Aaron Gryder and

Richard Migliore complete the top five.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (2/2)

1ST - ROBYNTHEGOLD (Robyn Dancer) was a tough-luck second off a freshening

for trainer Scott Lake. He held gamely after dueling on the lead and almost withstood a

fresh closer late. Nearly perfect over the inner track, the gelding has improved

noticeably since being claimed by his current connections.

6TH – LEAGUEOFHISOWN (Wild Rush) was overmatched in two prior starts over the

inner but improved to finish third on the drop to the $45,000 level here. Unfortunately, he ran

into a couple razor sharp claimers and was also hindered by modest fractions on

the front end.

7TH – SWITHER (Anees) found herself a good second to a daylight winner in a

swiftly run race while returning to a fast track which she obviously prefers.

Held well once displaced on the front end in her two turn debut.

Thursday (2/3)

6TH – REGAL KAWANA (Regal Classic) ran well returning to a dry track. Was

compromised by slow fractions on the front end but still finished with good

energy late as the pace quickened over a speed favoring track.

9TH – BLUESMAN (Proud and True) dispensed a good effort off a brief respite.

Exhibited much improved speed and closed well despite having to alter course in

the stretch. Clearly second best in a race that finished up well late.

Friday (2/4)

5TH – VOTE OF CONFIDENCE (Impeachment) improved facing $35,000 maiden

claimers on the drop. Finished well for the place behind a daylight winning

favorite.

Saturday (2/5)

3RD – ACADEMY BRASS (Royal Academy) was a decent third in her most recent

outing. Rushed to dispute the pace after bit of an awkward start off a

freshening. Chased a loose front-runner while three wide and finished with

interest over an inside speed-favoring track.

9TH – BOURBON BALL (Peintre Celebre) was hard used setting a hot and

pressured pace off a prolonged layoff. Understandably wilted in the stretch from

her early exploits and may be best served if returned to sprints in subsequent

starts, especially over the Aqueduct main track, the surface of her lone career

victory.

Sunday (2/6)

1ST – TIC TAC TOE LOUIE (Western Expression) continues to improve racing

around two turns. Disputed, then set the early pace and continued on well

in a race that quickened noticeably late. May prefer to sit and make one run.

9TH – SHOTS (Go For Gin) showed dramatic reversal in form with the hood

removed. Carved out a very lively pace for the class level facing limited

winners and held remarkably well.