AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
APRIL 13, 2006
by Bernard T. Moore
Mother Nature simply refused to cooperate with the racing in New York last
week. First, Aqueduct was forced to cancel after three races had been run on
Wednesday when a sudden snowstorm hit the area. Then, on
Saturday, gray skies and a steady rain clearly affected attendance on Wood
Memorial Day, as only 6,636 hearty souls braved the elements to take in the
11-race card.
Despite less than ideal racing conditions, the showdown between Keyed Entry
(Honour and Glory) and Santa Anita Park invader BOB AND JOHN (Seeking the Gold)
materialized as expected in the Wood Memorial S. (G1). Trained by Todd Pletcher
and Bob Baffert, respectively, the pair attracted the bulk of the wagering
support. With both runners showing a good turn of early foot, they began to
distance themselves from rest of the competition as they entered the
far turn, with Keyed Entry holding a slight advantage. However, Bob and John
was relentless in his pursuit of the 4-5 favorite, eventually collared that
rival in midstretch and edging clear to score by 1 1/2 lengths. Keyed Entry, who
carved out an unbelievably quick pace, paid the price for his early exploits,
yielding the place near the wire to the late-running Jazil (Seeking the Gold).
Amidst all the hoopla that surrounded Bob and John’s victory in the Wood, one
must be reminded that the final three furlongs of the race was completed in a
rather pedestrian 40.53 seconds. That does not bode well for the winner, who
will be forced to negotiate another eighth of a mile at Churchill Downs against
vastly superior competition under the most difficult of circumstances.
Also on the Saturday card, BISHOP COURT HILL (Holy Bull) threw down the
gauntlet early in the Carter H. (G1), setting a lively early pace and then
refusing to yield on the lead as he posted an upset victory at odds of 8-1.
Breaking from the rail under jockey Jose Santos, the Todd Pletcher-trained
runner led the field on a merry chase throughout the seven furlongs, turning
away challenges from Sir Greeley (Mr. Greeley) and Big Apple Daddy (Precise End)
in deep stretch to eke out a neck victory. Mass Media (Touch Gold), the 2-1
favorite in the wagering, raced close up to the early pace along the inside down
the backstretch, but lacked the necessary response when called upon in the
stretch and was a well-beaten fourth.
Did TOO MUCH BLING (Rubiano) love the slop, or simply the Aqueduct main track
on Saturday? I’ll leave that for you to decide as the Ohio-bred runner made
short work of four rivals in the Bay Shore S. (G3). Reverting to rating tactics
by regular pilot Garrett Gomez, Too Much Bling settled nicely off the early
pace. He wrestled the lead away from the front runners around the far turn, and
then went on to score a facile victory by nine emphatic lengths. His running
time for the seven furlongs eclipsed that of Bishop Court Hill. Not bad for a horse that had been well-beaten in two
previous attempts over wet tracks. Songster (Songandaprayer) vied for the lead
from the outset, and was able to save the place as he outfinished a beleaguered
One Way Flight (Precise End), who set the pace for the first quarter-mile.
Ramon Dominguez boasts a one-win lead over Eibar Coa in the jockey standings,
with Alan Garcia and Norberto Arroyo Jr. in a dead-heat for the third spot.
Richard Dutrow Jr. unseated Jimmy Jerkens from the top spot in the trainer
standings, with Bruce Levine moving into second place last week. Jerkens is now
dead-locked for third-place with Scott Lake.
Early speed runners fared best on the shortened card on Wednesday. That trend
continued in sprints on Thursday. The track played uniformly on Friday, but was
speed favoring on Saturday.
The outside paths seemed preferable on Thursday.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (4/5)
1ST – ALIEN IMAGE (Halo’s Image) closed well to get the place behind a
perfect trip winner as the race finished up well late. Appears to have found a
home in a basement level claimer and relishes a track containing even the
slightest hint of moisture.
Thursday (4/6)
2ND – KISSIN DAMSEL (Kissin Kris) displayed a dramatic reversal in form in
his second career
start while stretching out to a mile. Exhibited new found speed to set a contested
pace and then held well for third. Can continue to move forward off this effort.
6TH – MR SAM I AM (Forest Wildcat) finished a good second off a prolonged layoff. Chased a
lively early pace and finished with interest late. Should have
derived beneficial conditioning from this effort.
Friday (4/7)
4TH – NOW MORE THAN EVER (More Than Ready) turned in a strong showing off a 4+ month
layoff. Chased a lively pace and finished with good energy late vs. an odds-on
winning favorite. Should appreciate more distance.
9TH – ONE STARRY NITE (Five Star Day) exhibited an eye-catching turnaround switching to
the main track. Closed well to nearly get the place in a race that finished up
very strongly late.
Saturday (4/8)
2ND – UNAFFECTED (Put It Back) regressed in his second career start shipping up from Gulfstream Park. Was hard used to dictate the early pace with the addition of
blinkers and gave way. May prefer to rate over a dry track.
3RD – THRONG (Silver Deputy) finished an improved second behind an impressive winner.
Finished with interest to grab the place in a race that quickened noticeably
late. Appears poised for a career best effort in his next start.