Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

NOVEMBER 9, 2006

by Bernard T. Moore

Due to the cancellation of recent programs at Aqueduct because of excessive wind

and rain, the stakes action kicked into gear a bit sooner than usual last week, with

two stakes contests taking place on Friday.

FRIDAY

Tempted S. (G3) - Tackling winners for the first time in her career off a career debut victory, SUCCESSFUL OUTLOOK (Orientate) responded favorably to

stalking tactics to annex the Tempted by 1 1/2 lengths. Trained by Scott Blasi, Successful Outlook sat a perfect trip off the early lead before assuming

command around the far turn. She maintained a half-length lead under Joe Bravo

until midstretch, and slowly edged away in deep stretch. Spectacular Malibu

(Malibu Moon), who was with the pace from the outset, continued on gamely to

finish second, with Five Star Daydream (Five Star Day), the 4-5 favorite,

checking in a disappointing third.

Nashua S. (G3) - No one really seemed to want the lead in the Nashua. As a

result, DAY PASS (Five Star Day) was able to lope along on the front end and,

ultimately, reported home a decisive 4 1/4-length winner. A slight 2-1 favorite

in the wagering, he overcame a bit of a stumbling start to take an easy lead

shortly after the start. Day Pass relaxed nicely under jockey Fernando Jara on

the front end as the pair made every pole a winning one in a convincing victory.

Sightseeing (Pulpit) raced in heavy traffic down the backstretch, and finished

with interest late to get the place, but was never a serious threat to the

winner. Xchanger (Exchange Rate) improved his position on the turn, but lacked

the necessary response late and settled for third. Adore the Gold (Formal Gold)

showed speed to the far turn and tired. Cowtown Cat (Distorted Humor),

compromised by a very awkward start, failed to show interest and finished sixth.

SATURDAY

TURNBACK THE ALARM H. (G3) - Despite a pedestrian pace, MISS SHOP (Deputy

Minister) was able rally from last place and win the Turnback the Alarm S. going

away. With Raul Rojas up, the Allen Jerkens-trained runner trailed the field

down the backstretch. She began to level off leaving the far turn, overhauled

the leaders past midstretch and then went on to score by 1 1/2-expanding

lengths. Dina (Dynaformer) stalked deliberate fractions before dropping back on

the turn. She then came again to get the lead, but ultimately was no match for

the winner late, outfinishing Marimba Rhythm (Golden Missile) by a nose for the

place. Teammate (A.P. Indy), also trained by Jerkens, set a slow pace as the 2-5

favorite. She offered modest resistance when challenged on the lead and tired to

finish fourth.

SPORT PAGE BREEDERS' CUP H. (G3) - Benefiting from a hotly contested battle for the

lead, SILVER WAGON (Wagon Limit) rallied strongly from well off the pace to win

the Sport Page by 5 1/2-widening lengths. With Afrashad (Smoke Glacken) and

Kazoo (Tabasco Cat) battling for the lead, Silver Wagon bided his time near the

back of the pack. He commenced his rally around the far turn, drove to the lead

in the stretch and continued on strongly to register a daylight victory. Sir

Greeley (Mr. Greeley), returning from layoff, was comprised by a stumbling

start. He trailed the field the early on, and finished with good energy to take

down the place over Afrashad, who held on reasonably well to finish third.

LONG ISLAND H. (G2) - Trainer Todd Pletcher might have been shut out at the

Breeder's Cup on Saturday, but that was not the case in New York, as SAFARI

QUEEN (Arg) (Lode) registered her initial graded victory since coming to the

United States. With Chris DeCarlo up, the Argentinean-bred runner relaxed nicely off a

deliberate pace before gaining command at the 10-furlong mark. She built up a

three-length advantage in midstretch, and was able to withstand a late rally

from Royal Highness (Ger) (Monsun) to triumph by a half-length. The runner-up

was caught in traffic racing behind dawdling fractions down the backstretch. She

angled wide for a stretch bid, but her rally fell just short in a race that

quickened noticeably late. Reform Act (Lemon Drop Kid), a European shipper,

launched her bid around the far turn, but lacked the necessary punch to improve

her position and was forced to settle for third.

FIRST FLIGHT H. (G2) - Like the Sport Page, which was run earlier on the

card, a speed duel set the table for a come-from-behind runner. As Great

Intentions (Cat Thief) and Win McCool (Giant's Causeway) slugged it out on the

front end, CARMANDIA (Wild Rush) took up a position from well off the pace. She

unleashed a powerful rally around the far turn to challenge for the lead, and

sustained that rally to win going away by 3 1/4 lengths. Win McCool won the pace

battle, but lost the war, holding on grimly to finish second by a nose ahead of

Swap Fliparoo (Exchange Rate). The third-place finisher was bumped and steadied

at the break and dropped back to last as a result. She closed belatedly and got

third in a creditable effort. Splendid Blended (Unbridled's Song) experienced

trouble at the start and finished sixth, with Great Intentions finishing last

once displaced on the lead.

KNICKERBOCKER H. (G3) - Stretching out to nine furlongs, DRUM MAJOR

(Dynaformer) closed determinedly in deep stretch to eke out a head victory in

the Knickerbocker. Saddled by George Weaver, Drum Major settled farther off

the early lead than anticipated. He steadily advanced under jockey Joe Bravo

and was within shouting distance of the lead in midstretch, closing resolutely under constant encouragement in deep stretch to come away with a

hard-fought victory. Fishy Advice (Woodman) was an unlucky second yet again,

suffering a similar fate at Laurel in his prior start. He was on or near the

lead from the outset, but was unable to hang on to the lead late. Giant Wrecker

(Giant's Causeway) led through the first quarter and then held well once relinquishing the

advantage. He chased Fishy Advice into the stretch, and saved the show. Bastille

(Quiet American) did not appear to respond well to pace-pressing tactics. He

held a forward position until the far turn, and then began to drop back and

wound up finishing ninth.

SUNDAY

Aqueduct presented its annual New York Stallion S. series on Sunday, and any

horse sired by a registered New York stallion was eligible to compete.

The feature race of the day was the Cormorant S., which was run at 1 1/16

miles on grass.

RED ZIPPER (City Zip) emerged as the upset winner of the Cormorant,

triumphing at 10-1 odds under jockey Eibar Coa. He was allowed to stalk the

early pace carved out by 2-1 favorite Retribution (Rob 'n Gin) racing down

the backstretch. Red Zipper wrestled the lead away form the front runner on the

turn, and then braced for a late challenge from Pa Pa Da (Incurable Optimist) in

the stretch. A stirring stretch battle ensued, with Red Zipper refusing to yield

the lead, eventually winning by three parts of a length. Classic Pack (Regal Classic)

closed from far back to get third, with Retribution finishing fourth.

Coa has built up a sizeable lead in the jockey standings, having ridden

seven more winners than Channing Hill, Kent Desormeaux and Jara, who

are all tied for second place.

Gary Contessa continues to sit atop the trainer standings, with Bruce Levine,

Kiaran McLaughlin, Richard E. Dutrow Jr. and Barclay Tagg deadlocked for

second. The main track was bias-free all week, and all paths appeared to be

uniform as well. The turf course played to closers on Wednesday.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (11/1)

5TH - STORY LINE (Notebook) put forth a strong effort stretching out and returning to a

fast track. Chased a fast pace and continued on well to the finish while clearly

second best. Remains eligible to compete against limited winners.

6TH - HONEY LOVE (Prime Timber) was clearly a tad short off a year layoff. Set a

quick and pestered pace before tiring. Should have derived beneficial

conditioning from this effort.

Thursday (11/2)

5TH - PAIGE NICOLE (Lite the Fuse) closed well for the place in a swiftly

run contest off a freshening. Will make her next start for new connections and

would probably appreciate more distance.

6TH - ZIPPEROO (City Zip) gave an encouraging second-place finish in her well bet

debut. Carved out a good pace but was no match late for a daylight winner. Has a

license to move forward off this race as trainer James Bond rarely wins with

first timers.

Friday (11/3)

4TH - TETON (Arch) had a change in racing tactics, being wrangled back to come from off the

pace. Closed well racing outside of runners in the stretch to get the show.

Hails from a winning family and can show marked progress off her initial main

track effort.

8TH - Sightseeing closed well for second despite a less than

perfect setup. Raced in traffic down the backstretch and subsequently finished

with good energy behind a loose wire-to-wire winner. Continues to move forward

since equipped with Lasix.

Saturday (11/4)

1ST - KARAKORUM TUXEDO (Runaway Groom) was hampered by a troubled start, a slow

pace and a wide trip off the claim. Did well to finish third, closing while

racing down the crown of the track in a race that finished up well late.

Improved effort expected over a track he loves.

4TH - KAZOO (Tabasco Cat) was hard used disputing a hot pace stretching out to

seven furlongs. Gave way leaving the far turn and finished fourth. Would benefit from some

class relief and a return to six furlongs.

Sunday (11/5)

1ST - DEVIL'S PREACHER (Pulpit) was allowed to lag too far off the early

pace. Closed steadily late while second best behind a perfect trip winner. Has

demonstrated an ability in the past to lay closer to the front.

3TH - SMOKIN RACER (Smokin Mel) put forth a good third-place finish attempting a mile for

the first time. Attended a quick early pace, then gained the lead on the turn,

only to weaken under pressure in the stretch. A cut back in distance would be a

definite plus for her.