Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

APRIL 26, 2012

by John Mucciolo

A single graded race took place during closing week at Aqueduct.

Jerome S. (G2): Barry K. Schwartz's THE LUMBER GUY relished the return

to one-turn racing with a fine win in this one for conditioner Michael Hushion,

leading at every call before inching clear by 2 3/4 lengths. The Empire

State-bred son of Grand Slam endured one mile in 1:36 under Mike Luzzi.

Track Stats

A total of 46 races were held at the Jamaica, New York venue, with favorites

winning at a 41 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 61

percent of the wins during the week. From 32 races on the main oval, 12 animals

won in wire-to-wire fashion (38 percent), while four of the 14 races on the lawn

were taken all the way on the front (28 percent).

Meet Totals

RACES:		213
DIRT:		163
TURF:		50
FAVORITES:		79 (37 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		48 (23 percent)
TURF WIRE:		11 (22 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		41 (25 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (4/18)

3RD -- The Todd Pletcher-trained EYE ON JACOB put this field away with

relative ease in this one, drawing off to a convincing tally beneath John

Velazquez. The six-year-old son of A.P. Indy has a huge pedigree and could start

living up to it as a late bloomer.

7TH -- TWICE THE LADY closed well to be a clear second in this run, her

second straight second place effort for trainer Tony Dutrow. The four-year-old

will surely be a factor in her subsequent run.

Thursday (4/19)

3RD -- SHANGHAI BOBBY proved that he will be a juvenile to watch this summer

with a dominant win at first asking in this one for Pletcher. The well-meant

juvenile son of Harlan's Holiday won easily and was just one tick off the track

mark!

Friday (4/20)

3RD -- LAUGHING made a sharp return to the races with a game tally in this

one, defeating a stubborn foe along the way. The four-year-old filly, unraced

since the fall, got her final two furlongs in a solid :23 2/5 for conditioner

Alan Goldberg, and will be stakes bound in the future.

SILVER SCREAMER led early and fought on gamely to the wire in a fine 2012

debut for trainer Rudy Rodriguez. This one will obviously be in play in her

comeback race.

7TH -- MAGICAL CAT was a classy winner making her first U.S. start, going

past them late in a fine 2012 debut. The John Terranova trainee sped home in a

snappy :22 3/5 under Velazquez, and the Giant's Causeway filly should be a force

on this circuit through the spring and summer with expected improvement.

Saturday (4/21)

1ST -- STAR HARBOUR was most professional in this romp for conditioner Bill

Mott, taking over on cue and pulling away in a dominant tally. The four-year-old

has often flashed ability and could put it all together this campaign.

A Look Ahead

Racing will start at Belmont Park on Friday.