Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

JANUARY 17, 2013

by John Mucciolo

There were no graded events over the weekend at the Big A.

Track Stats

A total of 45 races were held over the Jamaica, New York, venue,

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

combining for 67 percent of the wins during the week. From 45 races on the main

oval, 13 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (29 percent), while there was no

turf racing.

Early pace was not as dominant as it was a week ago,

especially later in the week when we saw more closers have success. Being in the

top three is still pretty crucial in finding the best path to the winner's

circle on this surface.

Outside posts also had more success as the week progressed,

with one winner breaking outside of post 6 winning from 18 races on Wednesday

and Thursday, but eight with the same starting spot coming through over the

weekend.

Meet Totals

RACES:		405
DIRT:		350
TURF:		55
FAVORITES:		149 (37 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		87 (21 percent)
TURF WIRE:		10 (18 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		94 (27 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (1/9)

7TH -- GREAT GRACIE DANE (Royal Academy) could turn out to

be a fine claim for conditioner Steve Asmussen, who got this one coming off her

9 1/4-length romp from off the pace in here. The six-year-old mare cruised home against

the pronounced bias and should be tough right back, even with a rise in class.

Thursday (1/10)

4TH -- THE TRUTH AND K G (Successful Appeal) overtook the

early leader approaching the turn for home and powered clear to a 6 3/4-length

victory for conditioner Rudy Rodriguez. The sophomore colt came home fast after

being part of a moderate pace, and he could possibly stretch out with success

with a step forward from here.

7TH -- READTHEPROSPECTUS (Read the Footnotes) was all heart

in this one under Ramon Dominguez, wearing down a clear leader late to get up on

the line and win this race for trainer Chad Brown. We'll keep an eye on this

gelding in his subsequent outing.

8TH -- HE'S SO CHIC (Jump Start) had a lot to do turning for

home but finished with big energy to be a fine second behind a sharp winner in

this spot for conditioner David Jacobson. Mitchell Friedman claimed this one out

of the race, and we'll still consider him a viable player coming back.

Friday (1/11)

1ST -- I'M STOKED (Hook and Ladder) overcame the tricky rail

post and a slightly slow start at first asking to win like a good thing for

conditioner Michael Hushion. The Empire State-bred sophomore colt could be a

nice one.

2ND -- CITIZEN WELLS (Proud Citizen) put in a solid late run

in his first start since the summer to be second on this occasion. The George

Weaver-trained gelding had no chance with the winner but was clearly second best

and should be tough second time off the layoff.

3RD -- Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin might have gotten away with

one, as S'MAVERLOUS (Tiz Wonderful) put in a huge winning effort at first asking

in this maiden claiming spot. The three-year-old won by 7 1/4 lengths in a strong

final time, coming home in a swift :23 3/5. The colt will not be in for a tag

next time.

Saturday (1/12)

4TH -- ELNAAWI (Street Sense) returns to this list after a

powerful win in his route debut here, drawing off late in a mostly easy score.

The Kiaran McLaughlin charge could be a solid sophomore with steady improvement as

he's bred to run long.

Sunday (1/13)

5TH -- ROCK N COZY (Rockport Harbor) ran as well as one

could without winning in this race and should be a very viable option in her

comeback race for conditioner Carl Domino.

A LOOK AHEAD

There are no graded races this week at Aqueduct.