Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

APRIL 10, 2008

by Bernard T. Moore

With a soaking rain forecast for Friday, and projected to continue until

Saturday morning, officials from the New York Racing Association (NYRA) decided to cancel Friday's races. In an attempt to

guarantee the integrity of the main track surface for Saturday's Wood Memorial

(G1) day card, the main dirt track, which continues to be plagued by drainage

problems, was tightly sealed by track maintenance to prevent excessive moisture

from seeping into its base. Turf racing, which was scheduled to make its 2008

debut in New York on Saturday, was placed on hold until Wednesday.

Two-year-old champion War Pass (Cherokee Run) was able to win an early pace

battle, but he ultimately lost the war to an opportunistic TALE OF EKATI (Tale

of the Cat) in Saturday's Wood Memorial S. (G1). Inner Light (Songandaprayer),

coupled in the wagering with Court Vision (Gulch), pushed War Pass from the

instant the gates opened as the Breeder's Cup Juvenile (G1) hero ran the opening

quarter-mile in an alarmingly fast :22 2/5. War Pass remained in front after

four furlongs, completing the half-mile in a sprightly :46 as Tale of Ekati relaxed in third under jockey Edgar Prado down the backstretch. Inner

Light eventually called it a day around the far turn as War Pass drew away to a 2

1/2-length advantage.

At this point in time, Tale of Ekati went after the

pacesetter in earnest, with Giant Moon (Giant's Causeway) beginning to improve

his position as well. A fatigued War Pass remained clear passing the eighth

pole, but Tale of Ekati continued his relentless pursuit of the leader. War

Pass commenced to drift off the inside under pressure and, as a result, Prado

steered Tale of Ekati to his inside for one final bid. Despite his early

exploits, War Pass hung tough, giving ground grudgingly to the subsequent winner

in deep stretch, the unfortunate loser of a stirring stretch battle. Tale of Ekati's Wood victory marked his initial win over a distance ground, and

solidified his status as a Kentucky Derby (G1) participant. War Pass did

everything but win, eventually losing by a half-length in a valiant effort.

Court Vision closed belatedly to get the show, a neck in front of Giant Moon,

who failed to quicken when called upon in the stretch.

This year's renewal of the Carter H. (G1) drew a rather weak field for a

Grade 1 event. That said, the Carter was certainly not short on excitement as BUSTIN STONES (City Zip) held off a determined Executive Fleet (Northern Afleet)

to post a dramatic half-length length triumph. Bustin Stones, a New York-homebred runner, traded punches with Executive Fleet from the opening bell, with

the former holding onto a tenuous advantage under Prado. There was

little to choose between these two runners as the made their way down the

backstretch, and they remained virtually inseparable turning into the stretch.

Under energetic handling by Prado, Bustin Stones began to inch away nearing

midstretch, eking out a well deserved half-length victory as he registered his

second graded stakes victory while keeping his unbeaten record intact. Executive

Fleet acquitted himself quite well in defeat, saving the place by a neck over

Premium Wine (Prime Timber), who finished with good energy late. Spring at Last

(Silver Deputy), the 6-5 betting favorite, flashed brief speed and then

retreated to finish eighth in a disappointing effort.

TEMPORARY SAINT (Awesome Again), allowed to dictate a controlled pace in the

Excelsior H. (G3), refused to yield the lead in the stretch, and went on to

register a 1 1/2-length upset victory. Jockey C. C.

Lopez nursed the Bruce Levine-trained runner, who was dispatched at 11-1 odds, on the front end, carving out

fractions of :23 4/5, :48 2/5 and 1:13 3/5. When Temporary Saint turned for

home, he still had more than enough gas left in the tank to repel bids from Nite

Light (Thunder Gulch), Angliana (Giant's Causeway) and Magna Graduate (Honor

Grades). Nite Lite raced within striking distance of the winner throughout, but

was one-paced late and could no better than second. Both Angliana and Magna

Graduate rallied in the stretch, but had to settle for third and fourth,

respectively. Wafi City (E Dubai) chased the early pace but came up empty in

midstretch.

Also on the Saturday card was the Bay Shore S. (G3) for three-year-olds at

seven furlongs. J BE K (Silver Deputy), who failed miserably in the Louisiana

Derby (G2) last month, relished the return to a sprint as he decimated the

opposition by five lengths while reuniting with jockey Garrett Gomez. J Be K,

allowed to stalk the early pace by Gomez while in hand, effortlessly gained the

lead around the far turn while completing the half-mile in a lively :45 1/5. When

finally given his head by Gomez, he spurted clear to a daylight advantage,

boasting a seven-length lead passing the eighth pole. He remained well clear at

the finish, reporting home a decisive winner while recording his initial stakes

victory. Gattopardo (Johannesburg) outlasted Jockey Ridge (Broken Vow) for the

place, with Go Go Shoot (Songandaprayer), the early pacesetter, fading to

fourth. Laysh Laysh Laysh (Whywhywhy) failed to threaten, and he was a

well-beaten sixth in a dull effort.

Opening day of the main track on Wednesday showcased a fair surface, with no

discernible biases. The track appeared to remain bias-free all week.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (4/2)

5TH - RED DEMON (Cloud Hopping) ran a strong second despite an ordinary

pace. The chestnut finished with good energy to take the place in a race that quickened late.

Both of his wins have come over a middle distance of ground.

7TH - KINGS CHALLENGE (Elusive Quality) made a good move around the far

turn and into the stretch, only to tire late under pressure to finish third. He

should have gained useful conditioning from this effort, and would benefit from

some class relief as well.

Thursday (4/3)

2ND - MARKET TUMBLE (Gilded Time) was rushed up to set a quick/pressured

pace after a slow start, and understandably giving way once displaced on the front

end. He should have derived useful conditioning from this contest, and is

expected to move forward in his next start with an alert getaway.

5TH - FEVERED PITCH (Stormin Fever) easily demolished a field of limited

winners off the Richard Dutrow Jr. claim. Could probably handle a rise in class

with a similar effort in his next start.

Saturday (4/5)

1ST - WHAT A TALE (Tale of the Cat) ran well despite a prolonged layoff,

tiring slowly after dictating a pressured pace off the shelf. Both of his career

wins have come at seven furlongs, including a daylight score at Belmont

Park.

6TH - MY GOLDEN OPINION (High Yield) continues to show improvement for new

trainer Edward Barker. The four-year-old closed well for second despite modest fractions in a race

that quickened late. He appears set for a top effort in his third start off a

layoff.

8TH - Wafi City regressed badly stretching out to nine furlongs and

stepping up into a graded stakes contest. He stalked a very pedestrian pace into

the stretch, but could not accelerate when called upon. The bay remains eligible for an

allowance contest, and seems better equipped to handle a middle distance of

ground.

Sunday (4/6)

1ST - SNEAKY GIRL (Snuck In) made a strong move to secure the lead around the far turn, weakening under pressure in the stretch off a two-month

freshening. She will obviously be much fitter in her second start off the

layoff.

2ND - ANACHRONISM (Yonaguska) suffered a brutal trip as the odds-on

favorite in her New York debut. She lost valuable position down the backstretch

when racing in traffic behind slow fractions. In addition, she was shut off

attempting to rally in the stretch in a race that finished up well late. The

sophomore miss appears

ready to register her initial career victory with a clean trip.

9TH - MASS CHARLES (Allen's Prospect) failed to improve his position in the

stretch after chasing an enterprising pace while stepping up. He clearly needs a

softer pace scenario to be at his best, and appreciates even the slightest hint

of moisture in the track.