Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

JANUARY 18, 2007

by Bernard T. Moore

The beat goes on over the Aqueduct inner dirt this winter, as the track

scheduled a special race card on Monday in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther

King Jr. Day.

This past Saturday, GREAT INTENTIONS (Cat Thief) demonstrated that she is

able to carry her speed around two turns. The Mike Hushion-trained runner set a

deliberate early pace under jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr., and then had just enough

gas left in the tank to win the Affectionately H. by a short neck. The 6-5

favorite in the betting, Great Intentions made all the pace in the

Affectionately, and then held on gamely to record her second victory on the

inner dirt track, both of which have come in stakes contests. Homerette (Grand

Slam) finished second after leveling off nicely leaving the far turn. She

rallied strongly along the inside in the stretch to just miss overhauling the

pacesetter in yet another sharp effort. Victory Pool (Victory Gallop) raced

within striking distance of the lead while saving ground, and subsequently was

angled off the inside for a stretch bid. The third-place finisher closed with

interest late in a strong showing. Dina (Dynaformer), the 9-2 third choice in

the wagering, raced lethargically throughout and finished fifth in a dull

effort.

In the Busanda S. on Sunday, SAGAMOON (Malibu Moon) sat a perfect stalking

trip and, as a result, was able to register a 1 1/4-length victory. Bred in New

York by her owners, Sagamoon rated kindly for jockey Eibar Coa down the

backstretch, and then responded willingly to take the lead in the stretch,

holding on resolutely to maintain that advantage to the wire. My Kitty

(Catienus), who was allowed to drop farther off the early pace then normal, was

hindered by a modest pace as well. She found her best stride around the far

turn, finishing strongly to get second money by a nose over That Girl is Mine

(Indian Charlie), who closed from off the pace as well, but lacked

the necessary punch to improve her position late.

Aqueduct, which was open on Monday, carded the Jimmy Winkfield S. as its

Holiday feature. Only three runners signed on to contest the six furlongs, with BILL

PLACE (Master Bill) surviving a vicious speed duel with 4-5 favorite Wollaston

Bay (Sea of Secrets), eventually pulling away from his pace nemesis to win by 3

1/4 lengths. Wollaston Bay saved second with B. B. Mancini (Mancini) running

third after failing to make an impact.

The track was basically honest on Wednesday, with no distinctive trends. It

remained that way on Thursday and Friday as well. The track was somewhat speed

favoring on Saturday, but returned to normal on Sunday and Monday. All paths seemed quite uniform the entire week.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (1/10)

2ND - DRESSED TO WIN (Exchange Rate) showed dramatic form reversal off the Richard

Dutrow Jr. claim. She showed surprising speed to dispute the early pace with

blinkers off in a swiftly run contest and can continue to move forward for a top

barn.

5TH - MARIANO (Chester House) was tentatively handled attempting to rally

around the far turn and into the stretch. The dark bay leveled off nicely when finally set

down in a race that finished up well late. He may ultimately find his best stride

over a distance of ground.

Thursday (1/11)

2ND - MAKIN ME FAMOUS (Precise End) was hard used to dispute the pace

carved out by the odds-on winning favorite. He needs only a softer pace scenario to

show noticeable improvement in his next start.

4TH - SONG SENOR (Senor Speedy) raced evenly vs. a very quick pace from an

extreme outside post on the drop. He did well to finish third and deserves another

chance at the $25,000 state-bred claiming level.

Friday (1/12)

4TH - FIONA FREUD (Freud) finished a strong second off a five-week freshening.

The bay miss gave

futile chase to a loose wire-to-wire winning favorite and might have won with

stronger handling. She appears to have found her niche at the $25,000 maiden-claiming

level.

8TH - PACIFIC SUN (Forest Camp) was clearly overmatched vs. two runners

dropping from the Remsen S. (G2) in his first effort beyond six furlongs. The

bay was a

forward factor to the far turn, but steadily gave way thereafter. He would

obviously benefit from some class relief and a turn back to a sprint.

Saturday (1/13)

7TH - WHISTLIN' (Five Star Day) ran a tough-luck second-place finish -- again!

The gray colt set

a

wicked and pestered pace, only to yield grudgingly late to a fresh closer. He needs

only a softer and more advantageous pace scenario to get back on the winning

track.

Sunday (1/14)

3RD - ROSIE'S ATTITUDE (Aptitude) was clearly second-best chasing home an

odds-on wire-to-wire winning favorite in quick time. She continues to flourish over

the inner track, and should be able to handle winners in her next start.

8TH - MY KITTY (Catienus) did well to gain the place off a freshening.

She closed with good energy late despite a lethargic pace scenario on the front end

and would benefit from livelier fractions and a switch to a more aggressive

off-the-pace rider in her next start.

Monday (1/15)

2ND - GOLD SHAMROCK (Precise End) put forth an encouraging effort in his career debut

despite trouble. The chestnut leapt into the air at the break, was then pushed along to chase

the early pace and continued on well in the stretch behind a daylight winner in a

quickly run race. Look for a change in pilots in his next start.

6TH - SILVERCUP BABY (American Chance) appeared to regress a bit while

stretching out to a mile off a career-best effort. She sat a perfect stalking trip,

but failed to respond when called upon to improve her position in the stretch.

The dark bay miss has room to progress off her initial effort over a distance of ground.