Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

NOVEMBER 23, 2010

by John Mucciolo

A single graded event led the way during the previous week at Aqueduct.

Discovery H. (G3): Majesty Stud's homebred STORMY'S MAJESTY (Stormy Atlantic) reasserted himself

approaching the final turn and strode home a solid two-length winner in this

one beneath Edgar Prado. The Dominic Galluscio pupil got 1 1/8 miles in 1:50 en

route to his first graded score.

Track Stats

A total of 45 races were held last week at the Ozone Park, New York, venue, with

favorites winning at a 42 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining

for 56 percent of the wins. From 35 races on the main oval, 10 animals won in

wire-to-wire fashion (28 percent), while one of the 10 grassy tests was won in

front-running style (10 percent)

The main oval Wednesday saw every winner within striking range early, and a

trio of wire-to-wire winners breaking from the innermost post position.

Sunday's main strip was playing super fast, with mid-level claimers going

1:09 4/5 for six furlongs. Horses could win from off the pace on this day,

though.

We didn't get a good gauge on the grass racing over the week with only 10

events to view, but it seemed that coming from slightly off the early tempo

wasn't a bad thing.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (11/17)

3RD -- The Richard Dutrow-trained EMINENT TALE (Read the Footnotes) really

looked the part in this one, easily dismissing his foes en route to a 7 3/4-length

win under Ramon Dominguez. The speedy juvenile could have won by a lot more.

5TH -- INDIAN LILLY (Indian Charlie) was clear in second and ran a

good one despite failing to run down the eventual winner. We think this one has

a chance in her first for Charlton Baker, who claimed her following this.

Thursday (11/18)

8TH -- The Todd Pletcher-trained SKY MUSIC (Sky Mesa) closed with a

rush to win going away beneath Dominguez, recording a final quarter-mile in a

swift :24 3/5, especially fast for a juvenile. The colt should have little trouble

stretching out and could turn out to be a real nice one with more seasoning.

Friday (11/19)

3RD -- The swift MYAKKA (Crafty Prospector) proved that she can handle the

main oval as well as the lawn in posting a convincing tally in this one for

Richard Violette, whose barn is beginning to heat up. The five-year-old mare is

a definite threat it to make it two after taking her first start since May on

this occasion.

Saturday (11/20)

2ND -- ROYAL STRAIGHT (Smarty Jones) just missed in here for

conditioner Jimmy Jerkens, but the sophomore should be very tough in his return

for a barn that is superb second off the shelf.

4TH -- YANKEE KITTEN (Kitten's Joy) put forth an excellent debut run, rallying

off of a slow pace to win at first asking for Chad Brown, who has established

himself to be among the top trainers in the Empire State in a short period of

time. This New York-bred colt could turn out to be of stakes quality after

finishing very fast here.

Sunday (11/21)

3RD -- RULE BY NIGHT (Malibu Moon) came just a few ticks off the stakes record

in demolishing this group, blitzing seven-eighths in a rapid 1:20 3/5 over an

ultra-fast main oval under Dominguez. The three-year-old colt won this by 9 1/4

lengths and looks to be an interesting sprint player on this circuit into 2011.

9TH -- ADJACENT (Boundary) made it two in a row with a powerful win

in here under the guidance of jockey Javier Castellano. The Shug McGaughey

trainee runs like a seasoned pro and has a strong late kick, so we think she

could develop into a black-type performer in the near future.

A Look Ahead

The Thanksgiving holiday weekend sports the best races of the fall meeting here, led by

the $250,000 Cigar Mile H. (G1) on Saturday. Also on Saturday are the $250,000

Gazelle S. (G1), $200,000 Remsen S. (G2) and $200,000 Demoiselle S. (G2).

Friday's feature is the $150,000 Top Flight H. (G2), while the $100,000 Fall

Highweight H. (G3) is the Thanksgiving Day feature.