Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

DECEMBER 4, 2008

by Albie Johnson

Four graded stakes, a disqualification, a budding two-year-old star, and a

pair of tragedies all were interwoven in the past week of racing at the "Big A."

Cigar Mile (G1): The highlight of the week's action drew a nice mix of

three-year-olds and older performers, coming from both the sprinting and distance

running categories. The pace was fast in the $300,000 contest and it became

apparent as they headed toward the three-eighths pole that runners from the back of

the pack would decide the outcome. A pair of three-year-olds, TALE OF EKATI (Tale of

the Cat) and Harlem Rocker (Macho Uno), picked up the tempo, with the latter

enjoying "first-run" and opening up a clear lead in midstretch. Meanwhile, Tale

of Ekati was closing resolutely up the inside when Harlem Rocker moved inward

just as they reached the eighth pole, forcing that runner to alter course and

swing around to the outside of his rival. The two colts staged a "furious"

finish with "Rocker" having his "nose" in front on the wire. However, the

stewards quickly posted the inquiry sign, which was followed by a claim of foul

by Edgar Prado the rider of the runner-up. After about five minutes of

deliberation, the placings were reversed, with Tale of Ekati being declared the

victor. The winner, who was coming off a career best in taking the Jerome H.(G2)

at Belmont in early October, is trained by Barclay Tagg and the bay colt covered

eight furlongs in 1:35.01. Race was marred by the breakdown of veteran Wanderin Boy (Seeking the Gold),

who was unfortunately euthanized.

Remsen S. (G2): This fixture on the NYRA calendar has been the

stepping stone for many juveniles who have gone on to three-year-old stardom in

the past. It would be no surprise if this year's winner, OLD FASHIONED

(Unbridled's Song), adds his name to that long list. Gray colt remained

undefeated with an easy wire-to-wire triumph in which jockey Ramon Dominguez had

him "under wraps" for the last quarter-mile. Final time for the nine-furlong

contest was an excellent 1:50.33 and could have been much faster if so desired.

In picking up the major share of the $200,000 purse, colt could have trainer

Larry Jones thinking of the Kentucky Derby (G1), where he has finished second the

past two years.

Demoiselle S. (G2): Longtime companion feature to the Remsen, the

nine-furlong event for two-year-old fillies was won in impressive fashion by Canadian

invader SPRINGSIDE (Awesome Again), who was making her first start on

"conventional" dirt after having raced at Woodbine on both turf and "poly".

Filly has improved with each increase in distance and trainer Josie Carroll

decided to take a chance a see what kind of filly she is. Rated in last by

jockey Garret Gomez in the six-horse field, she commenced a powerful rally with

a sweeping move on the far turn, reached the front at the quarter-pole and drew away

to a 9 1/2-length win. However, in pulling up past the wire, she suffered

multiple fractures in her right front pastern. Her condition was listed as

"guarded," and of course everything is being done that is possible to save her

life at this point.

Top Flight H. (G2): A field of eight fillies and mares faced the

starter in this $150,000 "flat" mile contest and race featured a solid pace with

fast interior fractions. LEAH'S SECRET (Tiger Ridge) took full advantage of her

inside post, tracking the fast pace , and catching a huge break as they

approached the head of the stretch. Several runners who had "prompted" the pace

on the outside, suddenly dropped back and left a lot of room for jockey Eibar

Coa to ease her around the top pair and "set sail" for the wire. Mare still had

a lot of work to do, but she wore down the front runner late and prevailed by

three-quarters of a length. Veteran is trained by Todd Pletcher and the bay runner covered

a mile in 1:36.40.

Fall Highweight H.: FABULOUS STRIKE (Smart Strike) rebounded from a

subpar effort in the Breeder's Cup Sprint (G1) by quickly sprinting

clear under Dominguez, getting away with a rather "soft" first

quarter-mile in :22.19, and facing no serious challenge from that point on. Final margin in the $111,200

event was a comfortable 1 1/2 lengths. Mid-Atlantic mainstay Todd Beattie trains

the Pennsylvania-bred, who in all probability will race again in 2009.

Track conditions

Wednesday (11/26): No turf racing and a "good" main track that played fairly.

Thursday (11/27): Main track was fast and the turf yielding. Very apparent inside

speed bias was in place on the dirt with the infield be used only once.

Friday (11/28): Main track was fast and played fairly, while the two turf events

also showed no discernible bias.

Saturday (11/29): Dirt was fast and the turf was labeled "good." With a pair of

exceptions, all the dirt races were won in virtual wire-to-wire fashion. Small

sampling on the turf showed no favoritism.

Sunday (11/30): Main track was muddy and sealed and there was no grass racing.

Races were all won by either a front runner or horses that raced just off the

top.

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (11/27)

6TH -- With the track showing a significant speed bias, SYNCHRONICITY (More

Than Ready) did well to close from far back to finish a close-up third.

State-bred filly will probably break her maiden "two-turning" on the

inner-surface.

9TH --  HIGH FIVES (Yonaguska) was making his first start for trainer

Scott Lake off a recent claim. Runner chased the pace from a wide post, stayed

on well until mid-stretch when he tired and finished a distant third. Inside draw

may be all he needs at this 20K tag.

Friday (11/28)

7TH --  GHOST STORY (Vindication) was making only his second lifetime

start, and first on this circuit after breaking his maiden at Calder. Bumped at

the start, he raced just behind the pace while a bit "in-tight", took back and

tried to rally around the eventual wire-to-wire winner turning into the stretch,

but "flattened-out" from that point on. Not a bad effort.

Saturday (11/29)

4TH -- TOULOUSE LAUTREC (More Than Ready) did everything right in his debut

but was beaten by a very impressive first timer. Colt tracked the pace, moved

out for a clear path turning for home and while unable to make any impact on the

winner he drew away from the rest of the well-bred field to finish 5 1/4 lengths

clear of the third-place runner. Next time.

9TH -- NORTH COUNTRY (Silver Deputy) was probably best here. Forced to steady

in early stretch, he then had to angle out and finished well to be beaten a bit

more than a length. Race was the third "troubled" trip in a row for this

"hard-luck" turf performer.

Sunday (11/30)

4TH -- SCOOTER RAT (Forest Wildcat) was making only his second lifetime start

and first back off a four-month layoff. State-bred maiden showed good return speed

while never able to clear, and was finished by the eighth pole. Race should serve

as a fine "tightener."

7TH -- SEVENTH STREET (Street Cry [Ire]) made a shambles of this over-matched

group. A $1 million two-year-old purchase by the Darley Stable, the filly won her

second

straight and did so in distinctly different fashion then in her maiden triumph.

That initial score was done with a sweeping move from six-seven lengths off the pace,

while this day saw her going wire-to-wire. She looks to have a very bright

future wherever they send her next.

Racing shifts to the inner-dirt on Wednesday and will not return to the

main-track until March. Grass racing will continue for the next two weeks,

weather permitting.