Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

DECEMBER 24, 2013

by John Mucciolo

There was no graded racing over the weekend at Aqueduct.

Track Stats

A total of 45 races were held over the inner oval at the Jamaica, New York

venue, with favorites winning at a 51 percent rate and the top two betting

choices combining for 71 percent of the wins during the week. From 45 races on

the main oval, 10 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (22 percent).

The handicappers were on this week with favorites coming through at a 51

winning rate, including a combined 14 for 18 on Thursday and Sunday (78

percent).

Speed was good on the main oval, especially earlier in the week. On a whole,

a good portion of the winners last week were in the top three early on.

Inner Meet Totals

RACES:		81
FAVORITES:		36 (44 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		19 (23 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		18 (22 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (12/18)

3RD -- SAMRAAT (Noble Causeway) led from gate to wire in this convincing

score for trainer Richard Violette, finishing 16 3/4 lengths clear at the wire

in a most facile stakes tally. The juvenile colt will surely get his chance with

open foes in the very near future, and he could quite simply be any kind with

further progression.

9TH -- CHASINTHEBLUES (Hook and Ladder) led early, was passed approaching the

turn for home, and battled back gamely to be a nice second behind a winner he

had little chance with. The Willard Thompson charge could be a dangerous player

in his return, and also might appreciate a bit more ground to work with in the

future.

Thursday (12/19)

3RD -- The David Donk-trained MASASI (More Than Ready) tracked in second

every step of the way in finishing a good second, following a nice score most

recently. The capable sophomore filly came home in a strong :24 2/5, and clearly

has ability.

8TH -- JONATA (Proud Citizen) was last early but put in a fine late run to be

third, just three parts out of second, in a very good off-the-pace effort at a

price. The Michael Hushion pupil will be a player next time out with even slight

improvement off of this.

Friday (12/20)

9TH -- ONCE A WEEK (Invasor) broke slow and had just one runner beaten early

on, but the first-time starter made gradual improvement into and through the

stretch to miss second by only a half-length in a promising debut try under Jose

Ortiz. Look for this sophomore filly to be a major player next time for Hushion.

Saturday (12/21)

4TH -- The Bill Mott-conditioned HOWL (Arch) tracked the pace and led in late

stretch, only to be run down in what was still a nice runner-up showing beneath

Emmanuel Esquivel. The juvenile colt lost to a nice prospect and was well clear

of his nearest foe, so we assume he won't be a maiden for long.

6TH -- Trainer Todd Beattie unveiled a fine juvenile filly when TARIS

(Flatter) shot to the front and never looked back in posting a sensational 11

3/4-length drubbing of this field. The filly has been training very well at Penn

National and ran to her works, drawing off with ease under Clinton Potts.

8TH -- Grade 1 hero STRAPPING GROOM (Johannesburg) tracked in second, took

command at the top of the lane and left no doubt in posting a 6 1/2-length score

beneath Junior Alvarado. The six-year-old sped six panels in a brisk 1:09 3/5,

which included a :23 4/5 final quarter-mile.

Sunday (12/22)

4TH -- Darley's BALLYLEE (Street Cry) was very professional in this winning

debut run and could be a very nice prospect going forward. The Tom Albertrani

charge tracked the pace, took the lead and stayed on strongly to win at two

turns, not an easy feat at first asking.

A Look Ahead

There are no graded stakes upcoming at Aqueduct.