Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

JANUARY 17, 2008

by Bernard T. Moore

NYRA received some good news this week. On Monday, a judge permitted a

one-month extension of their current contract that will allow them to conduct

racing at Aqueduct. Racing will continue without interruption as discussions are

ongoing concerning a long-term agreement. Any contract ultimately must be

approved by the state assembly, the senate and by Gov. Eliot Spitzer as well.

This present contract will sunset on February 11.

Also in the news of late is trainer Todd Pletcher, whose primary base of

operation is New York. Pletcher registered his 2,000th career win when Loh

Collado (More Than Ready) emerged victorious in the 2ND race at Santa Anita Park

on Sunday.

It is extremely doubtful that STAGE LUCK (Unbridled's Song) will come close

to earning her $1.6 million purchase price on the racetrack. However, she did

make a small dent in that deficit when she annexed the Affectionately H. on

Saturday. The Darley Stable colorbearer responded well to stalking tactics as

she sat behind the early pace dictated by Aliysa (Brz) (Music Prospector) down

the backstretch. The 2-1 favorite in the wagering, Stage Luck went after the

front runner shortly after turning into the stretch. Under jockey Stewart

Elliot, she eventually overtook that rival and was able to eke out the victory

by a desperate neck. Aliysa set a controlled pace, and held on determinedly to

the wire, just failing to last in a sharp effort. Baby Bird (Cape Town), always

within striking distance of the leaders, drifted out a bit under pressure in the

stretch when set down for the drive. She finished with good energy late and was

a neck farther back in third.

PAINT ME RED (Red Bullet), making her first start for new trainer Gary

Contessa, emerged victorious with a hard-fought victory in the Busanda S. on

Sunday. The winner, ridden by jockey Ramon Dominguez, was forced to maneuver

around a troubled D J Lightning (Doneraile Court) down the backstretch. Paint Me

Red raced well off the pace before finding her best stride around the far turn.

She was able to sustain her rally into the stretch as she moved alongside La

Porta (Distorted Humor) and Wonderwho'sbest (Three Wonders) passing the eighth

pole. Dominguez, using his "wind up" style of whipping to encourage Paint Me Red

to the wire, finished resolutely to triumph by a short neck. La Porta, who had

rallied in tandem with the winner, finished with good energy for the place, with

Sumptuous (Hennessy) taking down the show. Sunday Elegance (Sunday Break [Jpn])

stole away to a daylight lead down the backstretch, but gave way readily once

displaced on the front end and finished fifth. D J Lightning was pulled up

shortly after entering the backstretch.

Inside speed continued to rule on the inner dirt track when racing resumed on

Wednesday. It remained speed-favoring to varying degrees through Saturday, but

played evenly on Sunday.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (1/9)

1ST -- BELZ (A. P Jet) finished gamely while racing between runners in deep

stretch to get the place over a speed-favoring track. Lone victory came at six

furlongs, and this useful sprint sharpener should set him up for a top effort.

9TH -- RIVER MOUNTAIN RD (Deputy Commander) offered a creditable third-place

finish on the drop off a layoff. Improved his position late over a speed track.

Should clearly benefit from this outing, and probably from a switch to a more

aggressive jockey as well.

Thursday (1/10)

3RD -- WHAT'S YOUR POINT (Wheaton) was probably best in her first start off

the Contessa claim. After an eventful start cost her valuable position early on,

she then suffered a wide trip behind modest fractions, but still managed to

rally to take down the place over a speed-friendly track. Needs only a

trouble-free trip to get back to her winning ways over the inner, a track she

adores.

8TH -- HOLLY TIME (Gilded Time) turned in a useful third-place finish while

dropping off a layoff. Held well arguing the pace from the outset in a

much-improved effort. Doesn't need to lead in order to win.

Friday (1/10)

1ST -- CLIMB TO THE STARS (Hook And Ladder) recorded a creditable effort in

her career debut. Chased a quick pace and then continued on well late to get the

show in a race that was fast throughout. Can move forward off this effort,

especially if she is dropped in class.

8TH -- LAURENTIDE ICE (Intidab) produced a much-improved showing off a

two-month freshening. Finished with good energy in the stretch to take down the

place behind a perfect stalking trip winner. Appears as if she might be better

suited to two turns on the inner.

Saturday (1/12)

4TH -- HAWKWOOD (Louis Quatorze) chased a loose wire-to-wire winner from the

outset, and then raced evenly to get fourth for trainer Anthony Dutrow. She

should have derived beneficial conditioning and experience from this effort.

6TH -- RUN LIGHTENING RUN (Volponi) outran his 38-1 posttime odds in his

career debut. Nearly finished second behind a daylight winner, closing with good

energy despite a speed-biased track and a modest pace. Hails from a winning

family, which includes four route winners from six starters.

Sunday (1/13)

2ND -- LITTLE BELLE (A.P. Indy) was in the midst of a strong bid when she

appeared to lose her action in midstretch. She continued to finish with interest

to be clearly second best. Has room to move forward in her second start off a

freshening.

9TH -- IRVING'S RUN (Cherokee Run) finished a decent third returning from a

six week break. Exhibited improved speed to chase a lively pace and held well

late in a race that was quick throughout.