AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
DECEMBER 14, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
The first cancellation of racing at Aqueduct this winter — wait, it’s still
fall — took place last Friday. With the weather forecast calling for snow, rain
and some freezing rain thrown in for good measure, it would have been next to
impossible for horses from other venues to get to Aqueduct for the Friday card.
As a result, management wisely elected to shelve racing until Saturday. It’s
always more prudent to be safe than sorry.
A scheduling note — there will be no racing at Aqueduct from Monday, December 19,
to Tuesday, December 27.
PHILANTHROPIST (Kris S.), taking full advantage of West Virginia’s (Tomorrows
Cat) tendency to hang on the money, rerallied in deep stretch, snatching defeat
from the jaws victory as he annexed the Queens County H. (G3). West Virginia,
who has a habit of waiting on horses when it counts most, finally looked to be
on his way to a victory on Saturday. However, he got a bit late in the final
yards, thus allowing Philanthropist to come back and score a neck decision, as
the wire simply did not appear soon enough for him.
Trained by Shug McGaughey, Philanthropist is a homebred from the powerful
Phipps’ stable. He broke alertly to set a tepid pace down the backstretch and
maintained an advantage to the stretch, where he was displaced on the lead as
the pace began to quicken. Jockey Eibar Coa managed to coax additional run out
of the four-year-old, subsequently collaring the eventual second-place finisher
in the final yards en route a hard fought victory. The runner-up, who dispensed
yet another frustrating effort, stalked the pace from the outset before gaining
a tenuous lead in the stretch. Once again, he could not close the deal, and had
to settle for second money.
We Can Seek (Chi) (Seeker’s Reward) rallied along the inside in the stretch
to loom a threatening presence, but lacked the necessary response when called
upon, and took down the show by a neck over Evening Attire (Black Tie Affair).
As the 2-1 second choice in the wagering, Evening Attire gave the field a head
start with a very lethargic break. He raced outside of rivals down the
backstretch, and seemed poised for a stretch run leaving the far turn. But, he
was unable to sustain his rally and could do no better than a “close up”
fourth-place finish. Trapped Again (Deputy Commander) shadowed the pacesetter to
early stretch, but came up empty when asked for more run and finished last.
With a plethora of early speed in the Damon Runyon S., the race appeared to
set up perfectly for a runner with some closing ability. To that end, PLATINUM
COUPLE (Tale of the Cat) certainly fit the bill. Saddled by Joe Lostritto, the
gray colt rallied smartly in the stretch to win going away by a length. Racing
in eighth position down the backstretch, Platinum Couple began to find his best
stride around the far turn. He continued to quicken into the stretch, closing
best of all as he overhauled Building New Era (Wheaton) in deep stretch. The
second-place finisher raced within shouting distance of the front runners from
the outset, and subsequently gained a short lived lead in the final sixteenth of
a mile. Still, he was unable to match strides with the winner, capturing the
place by a half-length over Stolen Thunder (Thunder Gulch) in another strong
showing. The third-place finisher attended the pace throughout, and held on
gamely in the stretch in his first start against winners. Surfing Ian (Rizzi),
the 3-1 second choice in the betting, set a pressured pace and gave way readily
around the far turn once giving up the lead.
John Velazquez boasts a two-win lead over Mike Luzzi in the jockey standings.
Edgar Prado and Coa are tied for the fourth spot, with Channing Hill completing
the top five.
Todd Pletcher is beginning to distance himself from the pack, and leads
Richard Dutrow Jr. by five victories in the trainer standings. Gary Contessa
holds on to third, and there is a three-way dead-heat for fourth place.
Horses who stalked the pace were slightly advantaged in sprints on Wednesday.
There were no apparent trends on Thursday, while speed runners fared well on
Saturday. The track seemed to be bias free on Sunday.
The did not appear to be any path bias all week.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (12/7)
4TH – SILVER FOREST (Silver Music) showed a much improved effort dropping
into a basement level state-bred claiming event. Held well dictating the pace
over a course that favored runners who stalked, rather than set the pace.
Continued on well once displaced on the lead in a race that finished up well
late.
5TH – SHEER SILK (Western Expression) exhibited much improved speed with the
addition of blinkers around two turns. Forced to chase a superior speed rival
who set a lively pace and went on to wire the field. Dangerous speed if matched
against limited winners in her next start.
8TH – TASHDEED (Cherokee Run) was a strong second switching to the inner dirt
track. Narrowly missed overhauling the odds-on winning favorite in deep stretch,
who was the beneficiary of a perfect stalking trip. Remains eligible for a NW3X
allowance contest.
Thursday (12/8)
5TH – FIVESTAR ROZ (Behrens) was much improved off his last effort with a
clean getaway. Chased an extremely fast pace before seizing a tenuous lead in
the stretch, only to be outfinished late. May have found a home on the inner
track around two turns.
7TH – DEVILOFARUSH (Wild Rush) recaptured his quick turn of early foot to
dispute a lively pace shipping in from Kentucky. Held well to the far turn
before tiring to finish third in a good effort. Has yet to win on dirt, but
appeared comfortable racing over the inner track for the first time. May revert
to rating tactics in his next start, and would benefit from a slight class drop
as well.
Saturday (12/10)
6TH – GREELEY’S LEGACY (Mr. Greeley) had a much improved showing switching
back to the dirt. Held well to save the show in a race that was fast throughout.
Should have derived beneficial conditioning from this effort, and still has room
to move forward.
8TH – Evening Attire turned in an even race returning to the inner track.
Compromised by a slow start/wide trip racing behind modest fractions over a
speed conducive course. Needs only an alert beginning and a more flattering pace
to scenario to produce his best effort.
Sunday (12/11)
1ST – LIMERO (Ride the Rails) was allowed to drop too far behind the leaders
down the backstretch. He left himself with too much to overcome, especially since he’s
better racing closer to the front end, was by compromised by weak
handling. Would benefit from a class drop to the 35K claiming level and a switch
to a more aggressive rider.
4TH – GO JERSEY GINNY (Go For Gin) presented a creditable showing in her
two-turn debut effort. Finished with interest late as the race quickened in a
“sneaky good” effort. Has room to show further improvement.