Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

MARCH 7, 2012

by John Mucciolo

There were a trio of graded races this week at Aqueduct, led by a leading

Kentucky Derby prospect strutting his stuff.

Gotham S. (G3): Kendall Hansen's homebred HANSEN swept to the lead at

the top of the lane and cruised home an impressive three-length winner in this

spot under Ramon Dominguez. The champion gray son of Tapit overcame a wide trip

to complete the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43 4/5 for conditioner Mike Maker.

Top Flight H. (G2): Darley Stables homebred IT'S TRICKY made a

successful return to racing with a 2 3/4-length tally in this spot for trainer

Kiaran McLaughlin. The dual Grade 1-winning Empire Maker filly finished off 1

1/16 miles in 1:45 1/5 under Ramon Dominguez.

Tom Fool H. (G3): Repole Stable's CALIBRACHOA took command nearing the

sixteenth pole and held off a big late run from champion Caleb's Posse to annex

this race for trainer Todd Pletcher. The talented and accomplished five-year-old

smoked six panels in 1:09 to win by a neck under Cornelio Velasquez.

Track Stats

A total of 47 races were held over the Jamaica, New York, inner track with

favorites winning at a 45 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining

for 59 percent of the wins during the week. From 47 races on the main oval, 11

animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (23 percent). There was no turf racing held

this past week.

Runners that were on or close to the pace were fairly successful this week,

with the exception of Sunday, when horses were coming from the clouds at big

prices. We have to think the oval was not playing fairly on the final day of the

week.

Saturday was a chalk fest, with nine favorites and a second choice coming

through from 11 races. The first eight races on the card were won by the

public's choice.

The overall quality of racing is improving as of late, and should continue to

do so as spring nears.

Meet Totals

RACES:		709
DIRT:		652
TURF:		57
FAVORITES:		286 (40 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		157 (22 percent)
TURF WIRE:		4 (7 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		169 (26 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (3/1)

2ND -- NAUGHTY OR NICE overcame an horrific start to get up in this one for

trainer McLaughlin. The talented four-year-old Bernardini filly should be tough

in her return with a clean break.

MY LUCKY SHOES re-rallied after being passed turning for home in a courageous

runner-up showing. The Kelly Breen trainee should graduate soon.

Friday (3/2)

4TH -- NORTH FREEWAY was a sharp allowance winner to bag her second straight

this season for conditioner Tony Dutrow, and the four-year-old Jump Start filly

seems destined to try stakes company soon. Her final time for six panels was a

strong 1:11 3/5 for the level, the same as stakes fillies ran three races later

on the card.

7TH -- DONTBESHY I'LL BUY ran her second big race on this oval at good odds,

and got up to upset this field under Junior Alvarado. The peaking four-year-old

shouldn't be taken lightly in the future.

8TH -- PRINCESS MARA dug back in after being headed late to prevail in a game

tally on this occasion. The four-year-old filly has reeled off consecutive wins

for trainer Dale Romans.

Saturday (3/3)

3RD -- LUNAR VICTORY was always traveling well in here and proved best in a

solid tally for trainer Bill Mott. The five-year-old is in his best form cycle

at this time.

4TH -- MANTECA was very stubborn in this one and narrowly pulled off the

upset today. The seven-year-old gelding still has plenty of fight left in him.

8TH -- SING DIXIE SING left little doubt in this dash, drawing off by a

comfortable 10 1/4 lengths in this one under Alvarado. The Jimmy Jerkens trainee

should be a big factor in her return.

9TH -- ROYAL CURRIER set a fast pace while pressured and stayed on well to be

beaten by only four lengths in this fine field. The gelded four-year-old will be

very tough if he opts for a softer spot next out.

10TH -- MY ADONIS was clearly second best in this one, finishing six lengths

clear of third place, and the Pleasantly Perfect colt has the look of a

classic-type runner with steady improvement.

Sunday (3/4)

1ST -- WELL POSITIONED returns to this list following another game win today

for conditioner Richard Dutrow. The six-year-old wore down a talented horse in

front of him and avoided a claim again.

A Look Ahead

The Grade 3, $150,000 Cicada Stakes is the lone graded event this week at

Aqueduct.