Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

DECEMBER 22, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

Reminder -- There is no racing at Aqueduct this week due to the Holiday

Break. Racing returns next Wednesday.

On Saturday at the Big A, INDIA HALO (Arg) (Halo Sunshine) was able to take

advantage off a rather questionable ride from jockey Jose Santos aboard the

odds-on favorite, Bohemian Lady (Carson City), and outfinish that rival in deep

stretch to emerge with the victory in the Ladies H. Bohemian Lady, who had given

the Grade 1-winning Stellar Jayne all she could handle in the Top Flight H. (G2)

last month over the Aqueduct main track, was hard held by Santos as the field

passed the stands for the first time. Santos preferred to maintain his

stranglehold on her as she raced down the backstretch, slowing the pace down to

a crawl, with After the Tone (Stormin Fever) displacing her on the front end

toward her inside. This tactic played right into the hands of the eventual

winner, as the Argentinean-bred mare is at her best when able to track

pedestrian fractions.

While Bohemian Lady was able to duel After the Tone into defeat after a mile,

she still had India Halo to deal with. The James Ferraro-trained five-year-old

mare appeared to her outside shortly after entering the stretch, as the

subsequent runner-up secured a tenuous half-length advantage at the eighth

pole. India Halo was resolute in her pursuit of the leader, wearing her down in

the final yards to attain a head decision. What can you say about Bohemian

Lady's effort except that she simply didn't deserve to lose. The tactics

employed by Santos raised more than a few eyebrows, as he could have easily

dictated a uncontested lead while traveling only marginally faster. More than

likely, this approach would have generated a more appetizing result for her

connections, and for those who wagered on her as well. Tattinger Rose (Menifee)

was one-paced throughout, and outlasted After the Tone for third.

Sunday's Gravesend H. (G3) provided another head-scratching result as BANJO

PICKER (Swear by Dixie) persevered in the stretch to come out on top in a

three-horse photo finish. Trained by Philadelphia Park-based Steve Krebs, the

winner was dispatched at odds of 47-1 in a field of 10. Breaking from the rail,

Banjo Picker was immediately sent to the front while racing well off the inside

down the backstretch. With regular rider Tara Hemmings aboard Banjo Picker once

again, he spurted away to a daylight lead around the far turn. Maintaining his

lead into the stretch, the five-year-old gelding drifted several horse paths off

the inside under pressure, thus enabling Pioneer Empire (Pioneering) to angle

off the inside for his stretch run. That spot was taken by Saay Mi Name (Not For

Love), who began gaining ground toward the rail.

With battle lines drawn, the three runners raced as a team toward the finish

line, with very little between them. Ultimately, Banjo Picker proved to

be the gamest of the trio while racing between rivals in deep stretch,

eventually coming back on again to have his head in the front as they reached

the wire in a stirring stretch drive. However, Banjo Picker still faced one more

mountain to climb, as the stewards lit the inquiry sign on the tote board. There

were claims of foul by Jose Espinoza, who finished second aboard Pioneer Empire,

and by Art Madrid Jr., who rode Saay Mi Name to a third-place finish. Both

jockeys alleged interference by the winner, and despite a lengthy deliberation

by the stewards, the original result was allowed to stand. Smokume (Smokume) the

9-5 favorite off a four-month layoff, suffered a wide trip down the backstretch

while racing in the second flight of runners. The Grade 2 winner began dropping

back leaving the far turn and retreated to last.

With John Velazquez done riding for the year in New York, Mike Luzzi was able

to gain the top spot in the jockey standings last week. Still, Velazquez did not

fall that far in the standings, as he holds down second-place over apprentice

rider Channing Hill.

Todd Pletcher's lead over Richard Dutrow Jr. stands at six victories in the

trainer standings. Gary Contessa holds on to the third spot with Bruce Levine in

fourth-place.

Early speed dominated the results on Wednesday in both sprints and routes.

There were no apparent biases Thursday through Saturday, while early speed types

fared well once again on Sunday. There did not appear to be any discernible path bias the entire week.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (12/14)

2ND -- MAD SCATTER (Scatmandu) stole away to a lengthy daylight lead in his

first effort at a distance of ground around two turns. Set a very lively pace

before giving way badly around the far bend. Might be better suited to a sprint

and would benefit from a drop into a maiden claimer.

8TH -- SILVESTRIS (Forest Wildcat) closed well to gain the place in a race

that finished up well late over a speed-biased track. Appears to be at her best

racing close to the lead.

Thursday (12/15)

3RD -- PERFECT LOOK (Perfect) recorded a much-improved second dropping back

in for a selling price. Outran her 32-1 post time odds chasing home a perfect

trip winner. Clearly she is at her best on the front end and would certainly

benefit from additional class relief.

7TH -- EXTRA BEND (Twining) was a decisive winner switching back to dirt.

Chased a lively early pace before drawing clear with authority in the stretch.

May have found a home over the inner track and could win right back if not

ambitiously spotted in his next start.

Friday (12/16)

5TH -- SEVEN BELLSFORBABA (Ormsby) finished a good third dropping into a

restricted claimer. He was hard used arguing a very quick pace and relinquished

the place late. Fits well at this level and may prefer a target to run at.

9TH -- DISTINCT VISION (Jules) displayed a dramatic form reversal in his

inner dirt debut. Recaptured his quick turn of foot to chase a very fast pace

and stayed on well to the finish. Has room to improve off this effort.

Saturday (12/17)

3RD -- GALLOP OUT (Quaker Ridge) turned in an improved effort adding Lasix,

finishing an even third in a swiftly run race. May be set for a career best

effort in his third lifetime start for low profile connections.

4TH -- RAPHAELITE (Broad Brush) was dueled into defeat off the layoff.

Contested a lively pace to the far turn before giving way. Has dangerous

tactical speed and can move forward off this race.

5TH -- TOWERING ESCAPE (Giant's Causeway) closed well to finish third

attempting dirt for the first time. Finished with interest late behind a

dominant winner off the layoff. May be better suited to a route of ground.

Sunday (12/18)

1ST -- PATRIOT FAN (Sky Classic) was clearly second best switching back to

dirt while chasing home a decisive winner. Exhibited improved speed to track a

fast pace and finished with good energy. Appears to have room for further

progress.

2ND -- SWEET LA RIZZI (Rizzi) turned in a creditable showing in her career

debut. Carved out a very enterprising pace on the lead before giving way in the

stretch. Should have derived beneficial conditioning from this effort and she

ought to improve off this effort as her trainer rarely wins with first timers.