AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
NOVEMBER 16, 2006
by Bernard T. Moore
Mother Nature continues to wreak havoc with racing at Aqueduct, causing nearly
three full race cards to be scrapped because of extremely inclement weather and
unsafe track conditions. This past Saturday, the Red Smith H. (G3) had to be
contested on dirt due to soft spots on the turf course, the result of torrential
rain.
Consequently, the Red Smith was reduced to a virtual match race between
NAUGHTY NEW YORKER (Quiet American) and Angliana (Giant’s Causeway), with the
former coming away with a well-deserved 1 3/4-length victory. Naughty New Yorker and Angliana were 1-2 heading into the first turn, and remained that way throughout
the entire 1 1/4 miles of the race, with Crown Point (Honor Grades) reporting
home a distant third.
Sunday’s feature, the Top Secret S., was basically a two-horse affair as well.
MAY DAY VOW (Broken Vow) and the odds-on favorite, G City Gal (Elusive Quality),
hooked up shortly after the start and showed the way down the backstretch. The
two pacesetters began separating themselves from the rest of the field around
the far turn, setting the stage for a spirited stretch battle. May Day Vow hung
on grimly to the lead in deep stretch, crossing the finish line first by 1 1/4
lengths. G City Gal was clearly second best, with Any Limit (Limit Out) a
well-beaten third as the 3-1 second choice in the betting.
Eibar Coa continues to sit atop the jockey standings, with Mike Luzzi moving
into second-place last week. There is a four-way dead heat for the third spot.
Gary Contessa boasts a slim one-win lead over Todd Pletcher in the trainer
standings, with Kiaran McLaughlin and Richard E. Dutrow Jr. deadlocked for
third.
A sloppy main track on Wednesday was biased toward early speed in both
sprints and routes. The track continued to be speed favoring on Friday after
Thursday’s cancellation, and remained that way over the weekend, especially for
the Saturday card.
There were no discernible path biases.
Turf racing was cancelled all week.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (11/8)
2ND – JOHNNY Z (Broken Vow) came in a game second, chasing the early pace while a bit
wide in his career debut. Continued on well in the stretch in a race that was
fast for the class level. Scott Lake boasts an anemic success rate with runners
debuting in a maiden claimer, so this runner is worth following.
6TH – GRAEME CENTRAL (Graeme Hall) barely lifted a hoof over a very sloppy
main track, and it’s her second poor showing over a wet surface. The filly definitely prefers a
bone dry track.
Friday (11/10)
2ND – JEALOUS QUEEN (Trippi) put in a creditable fifth-place finish in her career
debut. She carved out a quick split and pressured pace before tiring. Should have gained
beneficial experience and conditioning from this effort.
6TH – SADDLE TRAMP (Two Punch) had a much improved effort in her second lifetime start,
recording an even third-place finish versus a good pace in a maiden claimer. Still, she has room to
improve from this effort.
Saturday (11/11)
1ST – PAY ATTENTION (Take Me Out) rallied nicely from well
off the pace to finish third over a speed-biased track. He appears to be rounding
back into form and he is clearly at his best racing on or near the lead.
7TH – DANCING FOREVER (Rahy) ran a creditable showing in his main track debut.
He finished with good energy to nearly get the place in a swiftly run race. Should
move forward off this effort and might have found a new home on dirt.
Sunday (11/12)
5TH – BLACK JACK BLUES (Orientate) gave futile chase to a superior pace rival
carving out quick fractions at one mile. The bay colt should benefit from his initial attempt
at a distance of ground.