Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

APRIL 20, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

Less than three weeks remain for the Aqueduct spring meet as turf racing

finally made its much anticipated return last Friday. Three maiden special

weight events were run that day, and regardless of the level of competition, it

was a welcome sight for the New York faithful to view horses competing over a

grassy surface.

Be that as it may, Saturday's feature race was run over the main track as

three-year-old fillies contested the Comely S. (G2) at a flat mile. With

shippers coming in from Florida, Maryland and Philadelphia, handicappers found

that selecting a favorite was as difficult a task as isolating the likely

winner. In the final minutes of wagering, the public gravitated to Pleasant

Chimes (Pleasant Tap), who was installed as the 2-1 public choice. However,

she could do no better than third as ACEY DUECEY (Abaginone) continued her

forward level of progression to win going away by a half-length.

Rating in sixth position early, Acey Duecey was simply biding her time down

the backstretch under jockey Diane Nelson. When given her cue by Nelson, the

John Morrison-trained runner engaged the leaders in the stretch and then

sustained that rally, wearing down a stubborn Seeking The Ante (Seeking the

Gold) as they reached the wire. The runner-up acquitted herself quite well in

defeat, stalking the early pace before seizing command in the stretch. She

obviously outran her 15-1 odds even though she weakened slightly late.

Pleasant

Chimes failed to show her customary early speed when she stumbled shortly after

the break. She trailed the field early on and proceeded to improve her position

down the backstretch. The favorite finished with interest in the stretch, but

lacked the necessary punch late. Toll Taker (Bernstein), the 4-1 third choice,

was forced to steady a bit in the vicinity of the far turn. She failed to

advance thereafter, dropping back to finish last.

Acey Deucey recorded her second stakes win versus open company with her

Comely victory. This graded stakes success was the first for the New York-bred,

and it also marked her initial victory beyond seven furlongs.

The main track played uniformly to begin the week. However, runners from

slightly off the pace seemed to prosper on Friday. There were no perceivable

trends over the weekend and no path biases all week. The turf played slightly to

speed on Friday and Saturday, but seemed honest on Sunday.

Richard Migliore is still out in front in the race for leading jockey, with

Shaun Bridgmohan and Channing Hill in a dead-lock for second. Rafael Bejarano,

who is riding at Keeneland at the present time, dropped to fourth and Jose Santos

now holds down the fifth spot.

Richard Dutrow Jr. and Mike Hushion are on even terms in the trainer

standings, with Gary Contessa, James Jerkens and Scott Lake trailing the top

pair by three victories.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (4/13)

2ND – BLEACHER CREATURE (Yankee Victor) came in a sharp second dropping down

to the 18K level. The four-year-old colt showed an improved turn of foot to

contest the early pace. He dropped back approaching the far turn and was forced

to check when placed in tight quarters along the rail before re-rallying in the

stretch and finishing well to chase home a perfect trip winner.

5TH – PRIZE ROSE (Helmsman) had to overcome a tough task breaking from the

rail out of the chute as the favorite. She was bumped leaving the gate and

veered towards the left as a result, losing position. This caused her to be

badly outrun before making a menacing move on the far turn and into the stretch

while wide versus a strong pace. The mare understandably weakened in the stretch under

pressure, and she should be more well suited to a flat mile at either Aqueduct

or Belmont Park.

Thursday (4/14)

3RD – CRAFTY PLAYER (Crafty Prospector) has been ambitiously spotted in both

efforts returning to the Aqueduct main track by Dutrow. He held gamely vying for

the lead while lapped on the eventual winner throughout and would benefit from a

little class relief.

4TH – SNOWMAN (Abaginone) comes off an extremely impressive win in his well

bet/well meant career debut. Rocketing to the lead after leaving the gate, the

colt was never seriously challenged. He is bred top and bottom to excel in dirt

sprints and can win right back if properly spotted.

Friday (4/15)

9TH – PANAGIS (Dixie Brass) showed dramatic improvement making his second

start on grass. The gelding closed with good energy to chase home a daylight

winner despite a bit of a wide trip in a race that quickened late. His dam did

her best work in turf routes.

Saturday (4/16)

4TH – RUMSPRINGA (Siphon) had an unlucky second place finish returning to a

dirt sprint. Compromised by stumbling and a bumping incident at the break, the

sophomore colt closed well despite racing a bit wide in the stretch to drop a

head decision. He may have finally found his niche, sprinting at seven furlongs.

7TH – NAZDA JET (Dance Brightly) showed a dramatic form reversal when

switching to grass. The three-year-old set a pressured pace when he was hounded

by the eventual winner who was extremely impressive in victory. The colt gave

ground grudgingly once displaced on the front end. His dam's lone win came on

grass, and his sire's dam, Dance Smartly (Danzig), excelled on turf and hails

from a family of grass winners.

Sunday (4/17)

1ST – CAPE GOOD HOPE (CAPE TOWN) was compromised by loose a front runner who

set a pedestrian pace and then was unable to reduce his deficit in a race that

quickened noticeably late. He would prefer a flat mile and a switch to a more

aggressive rider.

5TH – MR. KRUSH (Conquistador Cielo) came in a good fourth making his debut

on grass. He improved his position from the back of the pack, beaten just a

length for the place despite an ordinary pace up front. His dam has already

produced a turf winner and he seems better to suited to grass.