AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
JANUARY 4, 2007
by Bernard T. Moore
Jockey Eibar Coa became a member of an exclusive fraternity of New York
riders last week when he piloted his 300th winner in one season. That
elite list of jockeys, all of whom rode more than 300 winners in one year
and just happen to be in the Hall of Fame, is comprised of Angel Cordero Jr., Mike Smith and
Steve Cauthen. Coa, who hails from Venezuela and rides in New York year round
now, has become one of the mainstays in the jockey’s room of late after riding
almost exclusively in Florida.
SUCCESSFUL AFFAIR (Successful Appeal), who has not tasted defeat since
being claimed
by trainer Gary Contessa, kept his unblemished record intact for his new
connections with a determined head victory in the Gallant Fox H. on Saturday.
Benefiting from a ground-saving trip under jockey Ramon Dominguez, Successful
Affair was angled off the inside for a stretch bid. Once in the clear, Dominguez
set him down for drive, and the bay gelding slowly wore down a stubborn Angliana (Giant’s
Causeway), eventually eking out a well-deserved victory. Angliana acquitted
himself quite well in defeat, stalking the pace from the outset and just failing
to hold off the perfect trip winner in the final yards. Park Avenue Prince (Siphon [Brz])
dictated the pace from the beginning and held well until the stretch. He
subsequently weakened to finish a distant third.
A suicidal pace in the Alex M. Robb H. on Sunday set the table for a closer,
and NAUGHTY NEW YORKER (Quiet American) was happy to oblige, drawing clear from
four beleaguered rivals in the stretch to win by 2 3/4 lengths. Saddled by Pat
Kelly, Naughty New Yorker relaxed off the pace as Accountforthegold (Successful
Appeal) carved out enterprising fractions on the front end. The 6-5 favorite
would pay the price for his early exploits in the stretch, weakening slightly as
the winner drew alongside him at the eighth pole. Naughty New Yorker
subsequently displaced the eventual third-place finisher on the lead, and
proceeded to run clear as he registered his fourth victory of the year. Who What
Win (Dance Brightly) raced within striking distance of the lead from the onset,
and outlasted Accountforthegold late to take down the place. Carminooch
(Tomorrows Cat) was one-paced throughout, never making an impact and finishing
fourth.
OPRAH WINNEY (Royal Academy) celebrated her birthday on New Year’s Day in
style with a half-length victory in the Interborough H. The newly turned
four-year-old, with jockey Mike Smith in the irons, immediately gained the lead
from her outside post. She rated kindly on the front end under Smith and had
just enough left in the tank to hold off the charge of Smart and Fancy (Not
for Love) in deep stretch. The runner-up leveled off nicely late but her
closing kick simply fell short in a strong effort. Magnolia Jackson (Cape
Canaveral), the 6-5 favorite in the wagering, held a forward position until the
far turn. She subsequently tired but still managed to get the show. Great
Intentions (Cat Thief) raced evenly and could do no better
than fourth.
When racing resumed on Wednesday, the inner dirt track played uniformly. It
remained that way until through Saturday. On Sunday and Monday, speed dominated
the results in sprints, and was beneficial in route contests as well. The inside paths were the place to be on Sunday and Monday.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (12/27)
1ST – INDIAN WAR DANCE (Cherokee Run) put forth a creditable fourth-place finish
while attending a sizzling pace. He is at his best when able to clear the field
early around two turns, especially at one mile.
8TH – FIRST REGENT (Native Regent) closed well from off the
pace while returning from a freshening. The bay has room to move forward off this race, particularly if
he is accorded some class relief and lays closer to the early lead.
Thursday (12/28)
3RD – CLEARLY IDEAL (Chief Seattle) has clearly found her niche since
stretching out in distance. She put forth a good effort chasing a very fast pace while stepping
up in class. The bay miss relishes a heated battle for the lead, and can move forward in her
second start off a five-week break.
7TH – CHITA TYCOON (Cat Thief) showed much improvement adding blinkers
around two turns. He exhibited new-found speed to chase a loose front-running
winner and can improve further off his initial inner track effort.
Friday (12/29)
4TH – GO JERSEY GINNY (Go for Gin) was a good third on the drop vs. limited
winners. The bay miss showed surprise speed to chase a superior pace rival, and held well in
a race that finished up well late. She can show further progress off this effort.
9TH – ALARMED (Romanov [Ire]) might have found a home against $16,000 restricted
claimers. The gelding held well setting a pressured pace in a race that was fast for the
class level. He yielded late to a perfect trip come-from-behind winner.
Saturday (12/30)
4TH – CHERNOBYL’S HERO (Cryptoclearance) outran his 74-1 post-time odds in
his
career debut. The dark bay gelding overcame an outside post to chase the early pace, continuing on
well despite racing greenly in the stretch in a race that quickened late. He can
improve off this race for a trainer who boasts an anemic success rate with first
timers.
6TH – SHUFFLING MADDNES (Real Quiet) continues to flourish over the inner
track. The bay was a strong second vs. open company rivals in a swiftly run contest, finishing well
late. He is definitely at his best with a lively and contentious pace scenario to
close into.
Sunday (12/31)
4TH – FORMAL CHARADE (Formal Dinner) failed to quicken late despite a
modest early pace while stretching out. His tactical speed appears to be better
suited to a sprint.
8TH – INDIAN HAWKE (Indian Charlie) was hard used stalking a suicidal pace
while stepping up in class. The gray held well until the far turn prior to giving way.
He remains eligible for an early level allowance contest vs. open company rivals.
Monday (1/1)
3RD – MUTAKAWAY (Mutakddim) was saddled with a tough task off the Contessa
claim, leaping into the air at the break while taking a sharp rise in class. She
improved her position in the deeper part of the track to take down the show and
would benefit from some class relief in her second inner dirt effort.
5TH – GRAND IDEA (Catienus) was clearly second best facing older runners off a
five-week rest. The dark bay miss finished well for the place behind a decisive wire-to-wire
winner who freaked in the mud. She loves the inner dirt and a track containing
moisture.