Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

DECEMBER 11, 2008

by Albie Johnson

Racing shifted to the "inner-dirt" last Wednesday and turf racing

ended this past Saturday, signaling the start of the long winter racing season at

the Big A. Racing will not return to the main track until late March with the

Wood Memorial (G1), as usual, scheduled for early April. With the switch comes the

end of 6 1/2 and seven furlong contests with 5 1/2 and six being the only sprint

distances run.

Opening week did not feature any graded events, but there were some notable

performances nonetheless. On Sunday, TRUE QUALITY (Elusive Quality) served

notice that he'll be a force to be "reckoned with" this winter by easily winning

his first race since finishing unplaced in the Woody Stephens S. (G2) on June

7. Bay colt had exhibited blazing speed in several of his previous efforts and

had been training "bullets" for his return. He broke in-stride, quickly assumed

command and drew off under no encouragement to win by 8 3/4 lengths, stopping

the clock in 1:11.31. It will be interesting to see what his connections have

planned in his future.

On the same Sunday card, three two-year-olds won for the second time and all

were impressive in their own way.

Race #1 : PROFESSOR Z (Grand Slam) was coming off a short freshening after

breaking his maiden on the Aqueduct main track earlier this fall. He was

therefore facing winners and trying a distance, both for the first time. Bay

colt broke running, was rated just off the lead and "pulled" his rider to the

front midway down the backstretch. He put away a bid from another turning for

home and drew off late to win by 5 3/4 lengths. The Kentucky-bred is in the well-stocked

barn of the nation's leading trainer, Steve Asmussen.

Race # 4: LIZA TOO (Olmodovar), who had rallied from far back in her debut to

finish second to a sharp winner, broke much better today, assumed command just

past the half and had no difficulty from that point onward, winning by four well-measured lengths. Such versatility is always the sign of a runner of some

quality. Field wasn't all that much, but the chestnut filly is a beautiful

looking individual and came back as fresh as though she hadn't raced. New York

regular Gary Contessa trains this Kentucky-bred "miss," and she'll be stakes

bound during the winter here.

Race # 8 : Asmussen sent out another colt, HAYNESFIELD

(Speightstown), to win his second lifetime race in taking the Damon Runyon S. for

state-breds going a mile and 70 yards. Chestnut broke running from his rail

post in the two-turn event and the only difficulty he had was in having his

rider settle him down. He controlled the pace throughout and won off as the

rider pleased by 5 1/4 lengths. Certainly will be a force in New York-bred

races, but I'm thinking that they may try "bigger fish" to see what they have

here.

Track conditions

The inner track almost always plays to speed unless the

track is down-graded from "fast." Opening week was no exception, with Thursday

being the only day when runners were able to take advantage of "speed-duels" up

front and a mix of various styles "got the money". If you play this surface on a

regular basis, the distance races often resemble contests on a half-mile harness

track, with whoever leaves the fastest and establishes position into the

clubhouse turn often the "key" to the outcome.

Turf racing ended on Saturday and for those who keep notes, the final week's

infield action went mostly to horses racing well off the pace.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (12/3)

1ST -- SCHOLARSHIP (Deputy Commander) chased a wire-to-wire winner while in

the two-three path early, offered her best from the three-eighths to the

quarter-pole, but was

spent at that point. She'll find a field to "boss" soon.

3RD -- PITCHED PERFECTLY (Pleasantly Perfect) ran a very strong race and was

just outfinished at the wire. Ran in the two-three path the whole nine furlongs and

would have won for sure if on the rail. Next time.

5TH -- The Asmussen trained VOLOS (Hennessy) was making his first

start since April, "bobbled" a bit at that break and that miscue, although

slight, proved decisive as he was only beaten three-quarters of a length. Should clear this

two-lifetime condition next out, at or around the $35K tag.

Thursday (12/4)

8TH -- TAQARUB (Aldebaran) quickly sprinted clear and maintained a safe

margin in running his record to two for two. Shadwell two-year-old will either

remain here or go to Gulfstream with the main string of trainer Kiaran

McLaughlin. He's a good-looking runner and could easily stretch his ability

farther.

Friday (12/5)

6TH -- HAINESPORT (Vision and Verse) shouldn't be a maiden for long. Clearly

an improved runner since coming back from a spring layoff, he was easily second

best of this group while chasing a maiden special weight drop-down from the Asmussen barn.

9TH -- For the second straight time, FOOTNOTE THIS (Read the Footnotes) was

subjected to heavy pressure from the start and in this case it was the eventual

winner supplying the force. Pletcher trained New York-bred maiden was attempting

two turns for the first time and should win soon.

Saturday (12/6)

4TH -- A poor start and a subsequent "rushed" effort cost DARK OPS (Strategic

Mission) any chance at a top-three finish. Race is best viewed as a "toss" and

runner should rebound with a strong effort next time out.

5TH -- HEDGE FUND (Maris's Mon) was bumped just after the break, chased

while wide, bid strongly at the head of the lane and flattened out a bit in the

last eighth. Race was the second "tough trip" in a row for this former Phipps

stable colorbearer.

Sunday (12/7)

2ND -- LAND GRANT (West Acre) set the early pace, was displaced down the

backside by the eventual winner, took back and rebid around the far turn and

held well late to hold down the place. Race was his first around two turns and

served as a positive experience.

7TH -- GRAND MINSTREL (Grand Slam) was making his first start since last

December when he won an overnight stakes on this surface. Colt had shown a lot

of ability at two, and in this return run he rated early, made a good bid to

reach the attending spot, but was no match to an impressive winner and tired

late back into fourth. All in all a nice comebacker.

Have a nice week!