Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

MARCH 19, 2015

by John Mucciolo

There was no graded action during the week on the inner oval at Aqueduct.

Track Stats

A total of 37 races were held over the inner strip at the Long Island, New

York venue, with favorites winning at a 22 percent rate and the top two betting

choices combining for 46 percent of the wins during the week. Thirteen races

were won in wire-to-wire fashion (35 percent).

Horses on the front end had a nice week here with 13 leading at every call --

five in route races and the other eight in sprint runs. We did, however, see a

lot of winners come from well off the pace, too, suggesting that the surface

gave every kind a chance at winning.

Meet Totals

RACES:		412
DIRT:		412
FAVORITES:		152 (37 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		91 (22 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		101 (24 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (3/12)

5TH -- DEVILISH GRIN (Harlington) had no chance with the odds-on winner in

the lane, but the first timer stayed on well and looms a big chance next time

with even slight improvement for hot conditioner John Toscano. The four-year-old

colt was always well-placed and finished more than two lengths clear of third in

a nice showing.

6TH -- The Steve Klesaris-trained MY WON LOVE (Utopia) was outrun in the lane

behind a favored winner but was easily second best, more than 14 lengths clear

of the show spot. The four-year-old filly will be back in the winner's circle

soon with performances like this.

9TH -- While this was clearly not the best field ever assembled, the Abigail

Adsit-conditioned DELIGHTFUL ERIN (Rock Hard Ten) proved much the best in

blowing past her foes in the lane en route to a daylight tally. The sophomore

was in tight in early stretch but bravely split runners and powered home with

superb energy beneath Fernando Jara.

Friday (3/13)

6TH -- MCQUAID (Birdstone) was far back behind a tepid early pace before

rallying to be a clear third behind a daylight winner. Given that it was his

first run since December, we thought it was a nice showing. The Richard Violette

trainee should have gotten a lot out of this run and could be especially

dangerous next time at a nice price.

Saturday (3/14)

2ND -- MOTT N HESTER (Super Saver) broke slowest, moved out into the clear on

the backside and closed best of all in the lane to register a one-length tally

in a pretty sharp debut run under Angel Cruz. The Dom Schettino trainee overcame

the rail and going a route at first asking, and we have a hunch she could be a

nice prospect going forward.

4TH -- MAMDOOHA (Daaher) rolled home from off the pace to record her fifth

straight score, the last four being stakes races, and the year layoff proved to

be no obstacle for this consistently good four-year-old. Kudos go out to

conditioner Kiaran McLaughlin, as well, for getting the filly ready off the long

absence.

8TH -- We really liked the late energy from REPENT TWICE (Repent) in this

allowance tilt for trainer Bruce Levine, rallying from last to be second under

the wire. The gelding was making his four-year-old bow in what might have been

something of a prep race for next time, and we would envision the New York-bred

to be stronger on the comeback.

Sunday (3/15)

6TH -- ALL HANDS (Unbridled's Song), a full brother to Kentucky Derby

runner-up Eight Belles, broke through with a fine maiden romp in his second

outing for McLaughlin. The three-year-old colt took the lead out of the gate and

left little doubt in the lane, serving notice that he may be a good one with

some experience.

A Look Ahead

There is no graded action upcoming at Aqueduct.