Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

APRIL 4, 2013

by John Mucciolo

No graded tilts took place over the holiday weekend at the Big A, where

racing returned to the main oval.

Track Stats

A total of 37 races were held over the Jamaica, New York, venue, with

favorites winning at a 51 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining

for 67 percent of the wins during the week. From 37 races on the main oval, 10

animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (27 percent), while there was no turf

racing.

Chalk ruled the week at Aqueduct, with favorites having big days on Thursday,

Friday and Saturday with a combined 16 wins. It was a bit of feast or famine,

though, with only six second choices coming through.

Speed was best on Wednesday and Friday, when four horses went wire-to-wire on

each racing day.

We sorely miss grass racing in the Empire State!

Meet Totals

RACES:		37
DIRT:		37
TURF:		0
FAVORITES:		19 (51 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		6 (16 percent)
TURF WIRE:		0 (0 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		10 (27 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (3/27)

4TH -- The Richard Violette-trained GOLDEN GREELEY (Golden Missile) was

patient early, got into gear on cue and outfinished a clear leader in the lane

in what we thought was a solid debut win for this outfit. The gelded sophomore

came home in a decent :25 on a speed favoring oval, and should improve with

experience and possibly distance.

6TH -- Conditioner Linda Rice surely had first time starter HAY SHARES (Henny

Hughes) primed for this one, as the gelded three-year-old sped early from the

rail and poured it on late in a powerful showing in his debut test. The

sophomore ran like a horse who could get more ground with some seasoning, and he

could be almost any type following this daylight victory.

Thursday (3/28)

3RD -- CAYAMBE (Helmsman) returns to this list after a second straight win

since arriving from California for conditioner David Jacobson, and the in-form

nine-year-old may have been even more impressive this time around. The

California-bred rallied from last in this one and came home in a fine :23 3/5

under Junior Alvarado.

Friday (3/29)

6TH -- SUGAR BEACH (Peruvian) was very game in fighting off multiple

challenges in here under pilot David Cohen. The five-year-old mare didn't run

that fast but she was all heart, and she could be a big player right back with

logical placement for conditioner Manuel Gonzalez.

Saturday (3/30)

2ND -- The Mark Hennig-trained MERRY MEADOW (Henny Hughes) dueled on the

front and wasn't embarrassed to be third in this one. The three-year-old filly

shouldn't be a maiden for long with her early foot.

6TH -- TIGHTEND TOUCHDOWN (Pure Precision) got away with a fairly easy lead

to the top of the lane, and exploded thereafter in a superb 5 1/4-length romp

under Jose Ortiz. The gelded four-year-old came home in a swift 1:16 3/5 for 6

1/2 furlongs on the dirt here, and is in a very good form cycle for the capable

Jason Servis.

9TH -- SUNNY DESERT (Wild Desert) worked herself into range in early stretch

and proved her class late when dusting this field en route to a three-length

tally. The John Parisella trainee is a fine performer and should be graded

stakes bound next out.

A Look Ahead

The Grade 1, $1 million Wood Memorial tops a monster day of graded action at

Aqueduct on Saturday. Also carded for the fine program are the Grade 1, $400,000

Carter Handicap; Grade 2, $250,000 Ruffian Handicap; Grade 2, $250,000 Gazelle

Stakes; and the Grade 3, $250,000 Bay Shore Stakes.