Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

MARCH 12, 2010

by Albie Johnson

The unofficial first day of spring around here came this past weekend with

the first graded stakes of the year, and a return to the main-track plus the

season's first grass race isn't far in the future.

Saturday's main event, the Gotham S. (G3) for sophomore runners, is an

important step leading up to the Wood Memorial (G1) on April 4 and attracted its

usual fine mix, with recent maiden winners, runners who had shown promise last

season at two and horses returning from layoffs.

The early pace in the 10-horse field was set as expected by Oaklawn shipper

Wow Wow Wow (Broken Vow), who drew a tough outside post and had no choice but be

sent hard from the gate by rider Corey Nakatani in an attempt to clear. That

accomplished, he set very fast fractions and it became apparent at the half-way

point that this race was going to those who had rated early and were gearing-up

for stretch runs. By the head of the lane, AWESOME ACT (Awesome Again) was

advancing with a full head of steam and went by Nacho Friend (Friend's Lake),

who had battled his way to a short lead, and opened up a three length advantage

in midstretch. Awesome Act held off the late charge of Yawanna Twist (Yonaguska)

to win by 1 1/4 lengths, with Nacho Friend another 1 3/4 lengths back in third.

The winning colt was bred in Kentucky but spent most of his two-year-old

season in England. He shipped back to the United States in the fall to finish a

creditable fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) in early November and

returned overseas for the winter. Nicely prepared for a top effort off a

four-month break by trainer Jeremy Noseada, Awesome Act's effort was all the

more impressive as he was making his first start on conventional dirt. He'll

remain in New York and will be one of the favorites in the "Wood." We'll find

out a lot more about him on that day.

Of the vanquished, state-bred Yawanna Twist ran an extremely strong race as

he was facing "open' foes and trying two-turns both for the first time, and he

appears to have a bright future. I thought that it was also an impressive race

by Nacho Friend as the lightly raced colt was making his first start since late

July when he finished a "troubled" fourth in the Sanford (G2) at Saratoga. Like

"Twist," he was trying a route for the first time. Trainer Kelly Breen most

certainly didn't have him at 100 percent off the break and Nacho Friend should

be much tougher next out.

Earlier on the card, a small but talented field of five older sprinters

loaded in the gate for the Toboggan S.(G3) and the two favored runners, WALL

STREET WONDER (City Place) and Custom for Carlos (More Than Ready), put on quite

a show in virtual match race from start-to-finish.

"Carlos," who was coming off a win in the Mr. Prospector (G3) at Gulfstream,

had the inside draw but jockey Channing Hill on "Wonder" never let him clear and

applied constant outside pressure. The pair battled as a team the entire race

with no more than neck between them at any point and that was the final margin

with "Wonder" getting the nod.

Winning colt had spent the early part of his career on the West Coast in the

Bob Baffert barn and remained undefeated with this win on conventional dirt

(three for three) since joining forces with trainer John Terranova.

The following day, eight older runners faced the starter in the Stymie S. and

trainer Todd Pletcher appeared to hold a strong hand with a trio of uncoupled

starters, two of which were bet heavily by the betting public including the

favored UNDERSTATEMENT (Distorted Humor).

The pace was set by National Pride (Macho Uno), who took full advantage of

his inside post in the nine furlong contest and was tracked every step by

Understatement, who took over when ready on the far turn, opened up a clear

lead, and was never threatened the rest of the way, reporting home by 3 3/4

lengths over the game pacesetter, who held Nite Light (Thunder Gulch) by a

half-length for the place.

Pletcher has had just an outstanding first part of the year here and at this

writing was (56-17-8-12) over the first 2+ months.

Track conditions

We lost two days of racing in the last week of February and the track was

sloppy or muddy and sealed on the three days we had live cards, with the usual

large numbers of front-running winners over that span.

The past week saw fast conditions on all five days and a solid mix of speed,

stalkers and several closers proving successful.

Leader Boards

Through Wednesday, March 10, Gary Contessa held a 10-race lead in the

trainer's race over Steve Asmussen, with Todd Pletcher 11 back, though the

latter two have only a fraction of the number of starts of the leading man.

In the jockey's race, Ramon Dominguez had a 30-race lead ( 80 to 50) over his

nearest pursuer (Dave Cohen), with veteran C.C. Lopez holding down the third

spot.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (3/3)

6TH -- REALLY SOMEBODY (Volponi) ran hard every step of the way, battling

head and head with the eventual winner before losing to him by a half-length and

being edged for the place by a neck in the last two strides. He'll be breaking

his maiden soon.

8TH -- After breaking in the air, HAVE YOU EVER (Van Nistelrooy) rushed up to

assume command and held that spot until midstretch when he weakened late to

finish third, beaten 1 1/2 lengths. Probably would have won without the mishap

at the start.

Thursday (3/4)

3RD -- Impressive debut by FORDANGSHORE (Forest Danger) as he tracked early

from his inside draw, easily assumed command, and won under a hand-ride by four

lengths in a very solid performance. The $130,000 two-year-old purchase is in a

good barn (Mike Trombetta) and may have real talent.

6TH -- After breaking sharply, PONTE VECCHIO (Regal Classic) was taken off

the pace and offered a late rally to just miss the place in a race with an easy

wire-to-wire winner. Believe trainer George Weaver will stretch him out soon.

Friday (3/5)

2ND -- DRIVEN BY SOLAR (Freud) made rather easy work of these state-bred

rivals and captured his third in a row since returning from a 10-month layoff

and a switch to the Pletcher barn. He's headed for open company or a stakes

soon.

Sunday (3/7)

1ST -- BAILZEE (Grand Slam) made it two for two and did it with a strong wide

move approaching the stretch, drawing clear late in this state-bred first-level

allowance. The $135,000 sales yearling defeated a good runner here in Wicked

Diva (Jump Start), and the filly may be sent a route next out.

7TH -- Improving on his impressive debut, IRONMAN JON (Mineshaft) solved his

first test against winners and two-turn debut in flying colors, recording a 13

1/4-length score in this allowance for New York-breds. He broke nicely from an

outside post, stalked early, and easily took command before drawing off to the

handy score. Could turn out be any kind at this point.

Upcoming stakes

3-13 -- The Cicada (G3) for three-year-old fillies at 6 furlongs

Have a Nice Week!!