Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

JANUARY 20, 2012

by John Mucciolo

There were no graded races this week at Aqueduct.

Track Stats

A total of 54 races were held at the Jamaica, New York, venue, with favorites

winning at a 33 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 56

percent of the wins during the week. From 54 races on the main oval, 11 animals

won in wire-to-wire fashion (20 percent). There was no turf racing held this

past week.

Three horses won from posts wider than the six post on Wednesday, while only

two other horses breaking from the outside came through over the next five days

of races. Speed was pretty solid on the main oval, but we saw no bias during the

six-day race week.

Meet Totals

RACES:		432
DIRT:		375
TURF:		57
FAVORITES:		170 (39 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		97 (22 percent)
TURF WIRE:		4 (7 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		89 (24 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (1/12)

2ND -- CORONADO HEIGHTS looked pretty good in his debut in here for

conditioner Todd Pletcher, running down a clear, odds-on choice to graduate at

first asking. The late starting four-year-old will be a big factor next time if

properly placed.

Friday (1/13)

1ST -- RESERVED QUALITY broke slowly and had the misfortune of chasing a

clear one in this spot for trainer Richard Dutrow, and the sophomore should be a

big contender with a cleaner start in his return. (Note: This one ran second in

the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes on Monday.)

7TH -- HEWITTS flashed good speed before tiring in a useful run for Charlton

Baker. The eight-year-old gelding was making his first run since May and is

eligible for big improvement in his comebacker for conditioner Bruce Levine, who

claimed this one.

Saturday (1/14)

2ND -- HARDENED WILDCAT toppled what we thought was a solid field full of

potential in this one for trainer Chad Brown, opening up late in a visually

impressive tally. The gelding is bred to be a solid sprinter and could very well

turn out to be one.

9TH -- PANTHRO proved way too good on the drop in with state-bred foes on

this occasion for conditioner Stanley Hough, inching clear in a professional

score under Cornelio Velasquez. We think the gelding will be formidable if kept

with fellow New York foes.

Sunday (1/15)

5TH -- DOWN BY LAW put in a fine run in the lane to be a clear second at

first asking for trainer Todd Pletcher, and the sophomore miss should be tough

in her subsequent try.

Monday (1/16)

1ST -- WON FAST BULLET blew past a clear leader in early stretch and powered

home a 5 1/4-length romper in this opener for Dutrow. The five-year-old came

home in a sharp final quarter and is in very good current form.

A Look Ahead

The $75,000 Evening Attire Stakes on Saturday and Sunday's $75,000

Haynesfield Stakes are the lone stakes scheduled for this weekend at Aqueduct.