Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

JANUARY 29, 2009

by Albie Johnson

The running of the Paumonock H. and an impressive maiden win by a sophomore

filly were the highlights of an abbreviated four-day week at the "Big A."

TRUE QUALITY ( Elusive Quality) who had given Fabulous Strike (Smart Strike)

a "tussle" several weeks ago, met no such rival in this year's edition of the

once prestigious Paumonock. Sprint fixture didn't attract much and True Quality

was heavily favored to win the $69,330 event. Bay colt broke running, was

seriously challenged heading into the turn by Maryland invader Place Your Bet

(Out of Place) and after repelling that rival drew clear late to win by 3 1/4

lengths. Lightly raced runner is trained by John Campo Jr., was ridden by C.C.

Lopez, and covered the six panels in a "snappy"1:10.92.

On Sunday, RIGHTLY SO (Read the Footnotes) who had impressed in her debut,

made easy work of a field of maidens state-bred sophomores, breaking on top and

winning off by 10 1/4 lengths while not under any pressure from her rider.

Interior fractions were fast and she no doubt could have gone much faster than

the final clocking of 1:11.06. Zayat Stable representative is trained by Tony

Dutrow and looks to have a big future here during the following months.

Track Conditions

Track was again listed as fast for all four days that racing was conducted

last week. Surface played fairly, as it has for the majority of the inner-dirt

season. Speed was always the “name of the game" around here in previous years,

but it has not been the dominating factor this session that it was in leading to

many wire-to-wire winners in the past. The presence of many good “claiming"

outfits this year has led to more “competitive" contests and has helped take

away that front-running bias.

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (1/22)

2ND -- OLDE GLAMOUR (Kelly Kip) rated just off the lead, swung out five-wide

past the three-eighths pole, moved with the eventual winner, but proved no match

late, while finishing clear of third runner by 8 1/2 lengths. Similar level

should lead to her maiden win next out.

4TH -- STREET TALK (Street Cry {Ire}) held a nice position on the far turn,

was forced to steady while in heavy traffic, then was involved in a three horse

battle while in-between runners down the stretch. He had to settle for third,

but may have been best.

8TH -- Making his first start since December 7, LAND GRANT (West Acre)

battled with the eventual winner from the start until the head of the stretch

where he tired and finished "off the board." He should move forward off of this

race.

Friday (1/23)

6TH -- MADAME COMMANDER (Deputy Commander) was forced to steady approaching

the half, moved to the inside midway through the turn, rallied up the rail to

gain a slim lead and was out-finished late by a pair of rivals to her outside.

Nice performance.

7TH -- SHOT GUN HOLIDAY (Harlan's Holiday) was rated early, moved up inside

but was blocked behind a wall of runners at that point. Jockey Pablo Morales

quickly swung out at that moment and closed some ground late on the far outside.

8TH -- The surface-loving veteran RUN WITH THE LARK (Runaway Groom) probably

was best here. Rated far back, rallied between runners at the head of the

stretch, and fell a half-length shy. Runner has more tactical speed than he was

allowed to show here.

Saturday (1/24)

1ST -- Favored ALL THE WAY HOME (Louis Quatorze) had just a "horrible" trip.

Forced to steady several times while in heavy traffic the whole race, he rallied

strongly once clear inside the furlong grounds to finish third. He deserved a

better fate.

5TH -- Expected to be part of the pace picture, BLUE BULLET (Red Bullet)

broke dead last in the field of 12, was rushed up along the inside, where he was

forced to steady nearing the head of the lane. Veteran showed some run late

while between runners to finish fourth. Deserves another chance.

6TH -- CHAUVINIST (Cozzene) had problems at the start for the third straight

race. He was "snatched-up" at the start when squeezed, made a six-wide run into

the turn and was done by the head of the stretch. Maybe a two-turn race will be

in his future.

Sunday (1/25)

2ND -- NAVEDANO HILL (Western Expression) ran a much improved race over her

debut. Contest was won by an impressive filly and her distant third-place effort

should be view as a positive one.

6TH -- ROYALLY FORTUNATE (Chapel Royal) set the pace from his inside post and

tired from the head of the stretch home. Race was his first in just under four

months and he should move forward off of it.

8TH -- MIKESLITTLEGIRL (Cape Canaveral), who was stakes placed last year, was

returning to a sprint and ran "too good to lose." Forced to steady down the

backstretch behind a runner who had lost her rider, she moved to the front

turning for home and was just nipped on the wire. Strong race off a two-month

layoff and should win soon.

Have a nice week.