Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

DECEMBER 18, 2008

by Albie Johnson

An "up and coming" runner from the Mid-Atlantic region and a pair of sharp

looking winners in overnight stakes highlighted the final week of action before

the annual Holiday Break on Long Island. Racing will be on "hiatus" at Aqueduct

until the day after Christmas. Last week's action was topped by the Queens

County H. (G3) at a distance of 1 3/16 miles, which is rarely contested anymore.

RESEARCHER (Two Smart) came into this contest "razor" sharp, having won three in

a row, with the last pair coming in stakes events. Making his first start in New

York, he stalked the pace from close-range, swung off the inside as they

approached the head of the stretch and proved best in a long drive, winning by a

half-length. Charles Town regular Jeff Runco saddled the winner, who was running

his record to 14-8-3-2 and served notice that he'll be a force in two-turn

stakes events all over the East Coast region during the winter. Mike Luzzi

contributed a "well-timed" ride, and the final time was a "brisk" 1:55.87.

On Thursday's card, ACCREDIT (E Dubai) went wire to wire in a small stakes

over a good field and ran his record to 4-1-2-1 on the inner dirt. Stakes-placed

runner appears to be at his peak and would expect this Darley/McLaughlin colt to

be in an added-money event soon.

Sunday featured a host of "come-from-behind" winners, including DISTORTED

PASSION (Distorted Humor) in a small stakes. Filly was winning her second in a

row and showed a lot of determination in picking up the win. She was in very

tight along the inside in midstretch, but once clear, she rallied between

runners and fought it out from there to win by a neck. Todd Pletcher trains the

winner, who looks like a natural for any stakes here this winter going either

"short or long."

Track Conditions

Wednesday (12/10): Track was fast and favored those either on or just off the

lead.

Thursday (12/11): Sloppy and sealed with those getting to the front again

having a big edge.

Friday (12/12): Muddy with closers doing well early on the card and as it

dried out, the last five contests went to speed horses.

Saturday (12/13): Track was fast with a nice mix of all types of runners

being successful on the card.

Sunday (12/14): Fast with the strongest "closing" bias of the entire meeting.

Runners racing in the middle of the track had a big advantage.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (12/10)

1ST -- DON'T FOOLI HOOLI (Freud) tracked the pace, made a bid on the turn and

held the show spot late. State-bred runner was giving away a lot of experience

to this field and he proved that he's not just a turf specialist. Nice positive

performance.

8TH -- DISCOVERY LAUNCH (Trippi) set/pressed the pace while wide and stayed

on well while racing in the 3-4 path, only tiring inside the eighth-pole. Race

featured many lead changes and a nice inside draw on a fast track should do the

trick for this runner.

Thursday (12/11)

6TH -- SEZZANA (Performing Magic) did everything right in her debut, but came

up a neck short to an experienced rival and heavy favorite. She won't be a

maiden for long.

Friday (12/12)

3RD -- SOUTHERN CHARMER (Dixie Union), who impressed in her maiden in early

November, tried both winners and a distance in her return off a short

"freshening" and just fell short. Chestnut filly stalked the pace, rallied when

asked, and fell shy a neck. Next time.

6TH -- VINNIE VAN GO (Hook and Ladder) drew a tough outside post in his

return from a two month layoff and was "bumped" at the start, forcing him to

"stumble" badly, spotting the field about 10 lengths. Recovered to rally late

out in the center of the track and eventually wound up third. Two turns may be

in his future.

Saturday (12/13)

9TH -- First time back off a Scott Lake claim has always been a profitable

angle, and PELELIU (Kelly Kip) fit the scenario perfectly. However, she did not

break sharply and was forced to track while wide and offered little after

turning for home. Effort was her first off a seven-week break, and she'll be

back as soon the track reopens.

Sunday (12/14)

1ST -- STOLIATSIROS (Crafty T C) was dropping into a claimer off a freshening

and looked to be the main speed here. He was beaten to the top and tracked

comfortably early on, responded turning for home to make a bid, but flattened

out late to finish fourth. Similar company next out should produce a win.

7TH -- ACCESS FEE (Menifee) had just a "horrible trip." Maryland shipper who

was undefeated on dirt, broke "poorly," made a wide sweeping bid to reach

contention and finished fourth after losing her energy in midstretch. She

impressed more here with her effort than she did in her wire-to-wire wins. Nice

filly.

Happy Holidays!

As mentioned above, the track is dark until December 26 so there will be no

report next week. Here's hoping everyone has a safe and happy Holiday Season

with a few winners underneath the tree.