Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

MAY 4, 2007

by Bernard T. Moore

MASSEUSE (Dynaformer), who had failed in two previous attempts against graded

stakes competition for trainer Jimmy Toner, finally got the job done when she

eked out a desperate neck decision in Saturday's Beaugay H. (G3). Forced to

rally into a very deliberate pace, Masseuse engaged Stormy Kiss (Arg)

(Bernstein) turning for home, and a stirring stretch battle ensued. The two

runners were virtually inseparable as they set sail for the finish line, with

Masseuse putting a neck in front at the wire. Finlandia (Royal Anthem), who was

with the pace from the outset, was one-paced late and just held on to third by a

nose over Artistic Express (Western Expression). Miss Shop (Deputy Minister),

the 6-5 betting choice, never got untracked over a yielding turf course and

finished a disappointing fifth.

Later on the Saturday card, DIVINE PARK (Chester House) made his initial

foray into stakes competition a success as he came away with an imposing 3

1/4-length score in Withers S. (G3) at one mile. Divine Park was nicely handled

on the lead by jockey by Alan Garcia once he displaced Street Magician (Street

Cry [Ire]) on the front after a quarter mile had been run. The Kiaran McLaughlin

trainee disposed of that rival upon entering the stretch, and then drew off to a

convincing victory. C P West (Came Home), who raced near the back of the pack

early on, closed smartly in the drive to take down the place, finishing 1

1/4 lengths in front of longshot Frosty Secret (Put It Back), who rallied as

well. Street Magician forced the pace throughout and then weakened in the

stretch under pressure to get fifth. Our Sacred Honor (Honour and Glory) flashed

speed for a half-mile, and then gave way badly, reporting home a well-beaten

sixth.

ACCOUNTFORTHEGOLD (Successful Appeal) came into the Kings Point H. fresh off

a third-place finish to Magna Graduate (Honor Grades) in the Excelsior Breeders'

Cup H. (G3) on April 7. He relished the drop in class as he squared off against

New York-bred runners, proceeding to overwhelm the opposition as he registered

his first stakes triumph of 2007 by 6 1/4 lengths. He was ridden by jockey Mike

Luzzi, who took full advantage of an inside speed bias that existed on the

Aqueduct main track. Accountforthegold, who broke from post 1, was immediately

sent to the lead by Luzzi. Who What Win (Dance Brightly) served as his

shadow down the backstretch, struggling to keep pace as Luzzi let out a notch on

Accountforthegold around the far turn. Accountforthegold lengthened his stride

when asked, drawing away to a daylight advantage as a much the best winner. Who

What Win held well to save the place over Funny Cide (Distorted Humor), who

offered an improved third-place finish with the addition of blinkers.

WOODLANDER (Forestry) was making his first start for trainer Gary Contessa

off a break in Sunday's grassy Fort Marcy H. (G3). Holding on grimly to the lead

in the stretch, he fended off a late bid from Golden Commander (Deputy

Commander) to take down the top prize by a neck in the final stakes contest of

the Aqueduct meet. Exhibiting surprise early speed to stalk the early pace,

Woodlander raced within shouting distance of the pacesetting Baron Von Tap

(Pleasant Tap) down the backstretch. He was maneuvered off the inside by Garcia

for a stretch bid, assumed command in midstretch and then held on gamely to the

finish. Golden Commander showed good early speed after an eventful start, and

then was forced to steady around the clubhouse turn. He found more traffic

trouble attempting to rally in the stretch, leveling off nicely when finally in

the clear. He closed well late to just miss, losing by only a neck in a race

where he was probably best. Grand Couturier (GB) (Grand Lodge), also lacked

clear sailing entering the first turn as the 9-5 betting choice. He closed

belatedly to get the show, and was beaten less than a length in a good comeback

effort. Baron Von Tap held the lead until the stretch, and then gave way readily

once displaced on the front end, eventually finishing sixth.

The main track favored speed runners to begin the week on Wednesday and again

over the weekend. The turf course played uniformly last week. The inside paths

held a distinct edge on Saturday and Sunday.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (4/25)

8TH - QUICK AND EASY (Salt Lake) put forth a creditable second-place effort

off a layoff. The dark bay closed with good energy late to take the place

despite a bad break in a swiftly run race. He has room to show further

improvement going forward.

Thursday (4/26)

4TH - DR. PAMELA (Polish Miner) was not disgraced while stretching out in her

turf debut. The gray miss held well until midstretch while setting a strong and

pressured pace. She may have found a new home on the lawn.

9TH - VICTORY ASSURED (Victory Gallop) clearly outran his 22-1 post-time odds

switching to grass. The bay colt showed some interest late along the inside in

the stretch to get the show in a race that was fast for the class level.

Friday (4/27)

3RD - SUPER HERO (Fusaichi Pegasus) put forth a noteworthy effort in his

initial start vs. winners. The chestnut won the pace battle, but lost the war to

a perfect stalking trip winner who dropped to score. He has fine tactical speed,

and might benefit from a cutback in distance in his next start.

7TH - FACTUAL NUMBER (Tank's Number) continues to perform well since equipped

with Lasix and blinkers. The bay lass gave way chasing a lively pace over a very

wet track which she does not seem to like. She remains eligible to face limited

winners.

Saturday (4/28)

4TH - WINSTRELLA (Gone West) was an impressive daylight winner in a fast time

in his New York debut. The gray disposed of early pace pressure and then drew

away in the stretch while winning as much the best. He could handle winners off

this effort if properly placed by his high-profile connections.

8TH - Street Magician (Street Cry) was saddled with a tough task -- stepping up

and stretching out to a mile. He was forced to argue the early fractions while

between runners, and failed to quicken when called upon while spotting weight to

all. The bay colt might be better suited to a sprint for a good ship-in trainer.

Sunday (4/29)

3RD - S.S. BELLE (Sweetsouthernsaint) was ambitiously spotted off a notable

victory vs. limited winners. She carved out an enterprising pace and then

squandered a sizeable lead, tiring noticeably in the stretch to finish fourth.

The bay filly would obviously benefit from some class relief.

8TH - Grand Couturier was understandably a tad rusty off a long vacation

while encountering a bit off traffic as well. He refused to relax early on and

then was forced to steady as a result. The four-year-old finished well between

runners in the stretch to get the show and should have derived beneficial

conditioning from this effort. He evidently needs more distance to be at his

best.