AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
DECEMBER 7, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
Last week I wrote that apprentice rider Pablo Morales filled in for jockey
Ramon Dominguez, and as a result, won the Fall Highweight H. Channing Hill,
another apprentice rider, deputized for Shannon Uske, who could not fulfill her
riding assignment, and used the opportunity to guide LILAH (Defrere) to an upset
score in the Garland of Roses H. on Saturday. The winner, trained by Allen
Jerkens, raced from off the pace early on prior to finding her best stride
leaving the far turn. She proceeded to engage the leaders upon entering the
stretch, and was able to outfinish the late running Secret Forest (Forestry) by
a head. The runner-up, who obviously benefited from the addition of blinkers, a
surface switch and a turn back in distance to a sprint for the Garland of Roses
H., was dispatched at odds of 45-1. She closed with good energy in deep stretch
to narrowly miss winning in a vastly improved effort. Bank Audit (Wild Rush),
the even-money favorite, rallied between runners in the stretch, but lacked the
necessary punch when called upon and had to settle for third. Travelator (A.P
Jet) unseated her rider after an awkward start.
HOME AND AWAY (Skip Away), benefiting from a lively and contentious pace
scenario on the front end, finished best of all to win the East View S. going
away on Sunday. Fresh from a maiden score, Home and Away trailed the field
racing down the backstretch before improving her position around the far turn.
She sustained her rally into the stretch, eventually blowing past a helpless
Zippy Missy (City Zip) and drawing clear to score by 4 1/2 widening lengths. The
runner-up raced wide around the first turn after an eventful start,
and then moved closer to the leaders after a half-mile had been run. As the
odds-on favorite in the race, Zippy Missy made her bid in earnest around the far
turn, but proved to be no match for the winner in the stretch while clearly
second best. Bee In A Bonnet (Precise End) raced within shouting distance of the
leaders as well down the backstretch, but offered no response when called upon
in the stretch and settled for third. Sarahisittrue (Is It True) unseated her
jockey, Eibar Coa, during the pre-race warm-up, ran off and was ordered scratched
by the stewards.
A scheduling note — there will be no racing at Aqueduct from Monday,
December 19, to Tuesday, December 27.
John Velazquez continues to lead all riders, with Edgar Prado remaining in
second. Cornelio Velasquez and Hill are tied for third on the list.
Todd Pletcher enjoys a two-win lead over Richard Dutrow Jr. in the trainer
standings. Gary Contessa holds on to third with Mike Hushion and Jerkens in a
dead-heat for fourth.
There did not appear to be noticeable trends over the main track on Wednesday
or Thursday. The track was biased towards early speed in sprints on Friday and
Saturday, but seemed to play evenly on Sunday.
The grass course played evenly when in use.
The inside paths seemed slightly better on Wednesday and Friday.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (11/30)
1ST – BOARDWALK BABE (Salt Lake) was a game second returning from a layoff.
Held well to save the place setting a pressured pace in a race that was fast
throughout. Fits well at her current level and in an abbreviated sprint.
Thursday (12/01)
8TH – POTRISUNRISE (ARG) (Potrillazo) had a dramatic turnaround in his second
start off a freshening. Made a strong move to challenge for the lead in the
stretch, and continued on well only to be outgamed late. Fits well at this level
and seems to love the inner dirt, as his only other start over the course was a
decisive win versus similar rivals.
Friday (12/2)
6TH – NEVR A DULL MOMENT (Helmsman) was a sharp second on the drop to the
$7,500 claiming level. Held well dictating the pace in a race that quickened
late. Has dangerous early speed to control the pace at a more realistic level.
8TH – MRS. DOYLE (Partner’s Hero) turned in a useful fourth-place finish off
a freshening. Broke alertly, but was gathered back to rate off very slow
fractions. Was trapped along the inside, and could not muster the necessary
response when clear in the stretch as the race quickened. Should have derived
beneficial conditioning from this effort.
Saturday (12/3)
5TH – R B’S TOKEN (Golden Token) was hard used chasing a superior speed rival
who wired the field in good time. Needs softer fractions on the front end to be
at her best and has won stalking the pace in the past for a top trainer.
6TH – HITHER LANE (MR. Greeley) comes off a sharp second in his career debut.
Chased a fast pace and was clearly second best chasing home an impressive
odds-on winning favorite. Hails from a family who excelled in sprints and is
certainly bred to win early in his career.
Sunday (12/4)
2ND– SARATOGA DRIVE (Siphon) finished a good third to begin her career.
Closed well from near the back of the pack, almost getting the place over a
speed conducive course. Hails from a stakes-winning family and appears as if she
might be at her best around two turns.
3RD – GOLD AND ROSES (Gold Token) was a sharp second off the layoff for
trainer Tom Bush. Held gamely setting a pestered pace, yielding grudgingly in
deep stretch to a perfect trip winner. Should have derived beneficial
conditioning from this effort and also may prefer a target to run at.
8TH – Zippy Missy exits a creditable effort in her two-turn debut. Had to
endure an awkward start and subsequently a bit of a wide trip chasing a very
fast pace on the front end. Assumed command in the stretch, but ultimately
proved to be no match for a fresh closer late. Lone win came at five furlongs,
and this multiple stakes placed runner may be at her best sprinting while still
qualifying for a preliminary allowance contest.