AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
NOVEMBER 1, 2007
by Bernard T. Moore
Despite being deluged with rain during opening week, the Aqueduct main track
held up remarkably well, as racing was conducted without incident. In the past,
excessive rain has wreaked havoc over the main dirt track, necessitating the
inner dirt season to be extended through late March. The “bog like” condition of
the turf course washed Saturday’s lone turf contest to dirt.
Shortly after TASTEYVILLE (With Approval) spurted to a daylight lead in the
Sport Page H. (G3) at Aqueduct on Saturday, school was basically out. The Pat
Kelly-trained runner simply continued to improve his position from that point
forward, increasing his advantage at every call to eventually win by 9 1/4
emphatic lengths. Sir Greeley (Mr. Greeley) gave futile chase to the runaway
winner and finished second, with Council Member (Seattle Slew) tiring to finish
a well-beaten third after flashing speed to the far turn.
Three stakes contests were on tap for Sunday’s racecard, with the first being
the Nashua S. (G3) for juvenile runners at one mile. ETCHED (Forestry), allowed
to set a controlled pace, posted an easy front-running victory as the odds-on
favorite. The Darley Stables’ homebred runner drew away around the far turn
under jockey Alan Garcia, and was not seriously challenged late, ultimately
winning by 6 1/2 decisive lengths. The real race was for place as Anak Nakal
(Victory Gallop) outfinished Anakim (Giant’s Causeway) by just a head at the
wire.
ELUSIVE LADY (Van Nistelrooy) also triumphed in wire-to-wire fashion, easily
dispatching a field of four rivals as she spurted away in the stretch enroute to
a 4 3/4-length triumph. The winner rated kindly under jockey Eibar Coa until the
furlong grounds in the stretch, and then accelerated when asked to win going
away by a daylight margin. Meriwether Jessica (Freud) moved in earnest to
challenge the winner around the far turn, and then sustained her bid into the
stretch. However, she was unable to keep pace in deep stretch and had to settle
for second. Sunday Holiday (Sunday Break [Jpn]) lacked early speed and trailed
the field down the backstretch. She lacked clear sailing in the midst of her
rally along the inside in the stretch, and could do no better than third as the
even-money betting favorite. According to Plan (Out of Place), sent off at odds
of 8-5, was victimized by a stumbling start. She subsequently was bumped and
then steadied while racing between runners, tiring badly and wound up reporting
home last.
In the Knickerbocker H. (G3), FISHY ADVICE (Woodman) demonstrated his
affinity for wet grass once again, closing strongly in deep stretch to win going
away by a length over an extremely soft turf course. The David Donk-trained
runner overcame an outside post, and finally found his best stride leaving the
far turn. With jockey Javier Castellano in the irons, they continued their
determined rally into the lane, overtaking Thorn Song (Unbridled’s Song) past
midstretch as the five-year-old registered his initial graded stakes win in
2007. Thorn Song, who was with the pace from the outset, gained a tenuous lead
past midstretch. Nevertheless, he could not fend off the winner’s late charge,
and held on well to save the place by a neck over Operation Red Dawn (Miswaki),
who closed belatedly and was never a serious threat. Palace Episode
(Machiavellian) sent off at odds at 2-1, had to be pushed along to maintain his
position down the backstretch, and never seemed comfortable over the going. He
finished seventh in a non-descript effort.
Front runners dominated the results on dirt on Wednesday, and speed continued
to fare well on Thursday. The track returned to normal on Friday, but the speed
bias returned over the weekend.
There was no pronounced bias on the turf all week.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (10/24)
2ND — NURTURE (A.P. Indy) was forced to race well off the early pace after
an eventful start while breaking from the rail in her debut. Did well to improve
her position over a speed biased track. Bred on both sides of her pedigree for
more distance.
4TH — DELIGHTFUL ONE (Mecke) raced far back early and then closed best of
all in a swiftly run race for the class level. Clearly prefers turf and can move
forward in his second start off the layoff.
Thursday (10/25)
4TH — FADO (Sultry Song) recorded a good third-place finish switching to dirt, albeit
wet. Finished with interest late over a speed conducive track after breaking
slowly from the rail. Appears to have found his niche on the main track.
5TH — MUTAKAWAY (Mutakkdim) is clearly is at her best on turf or over a wet
track. Sharp effort chasing a wire-to-wire winner throughout, just failing to
overhaul that runner late. Appreciates even the slightest hint of moisture on
dirt.
Friday (10/26)
6TH — GOLD VENDETTA (Gold Fever) was an impressive daylight winner in very fast
time on the drop. Leveled off nicely leaving the far turn, and then drew away in
the stretch while never asked for his best. Could win right back if properly
spotted vs. limited winners.
8TH — TRUE WOOD (Louis Quatorze) weakened noticeably late to finish third
after disputing/setting fast fractions. Could possibly have distance
limitations, as he has now failed twice beyond seven furlongs.
Saturday (10/27)
7TH — Council Member changed tactics as he broke well to
chase a fast early pace. Gave way readily around the far turn as he did not
appear to relish the sloppy track. Seems to favor rating tactics, preferably
over a fast track.
Sunday (10/28)
2ND — GAME FACE (Menifee) appeared to be a tad short returning from a
layoff. Failed to quicken in the stretch when called upon, and was one-paced
late in an encouraging effort. He should have derived beneficial conditioning
from this outing.
3RD — Anak Nakal offered a creditable second-place finish despite
being ambitiously spotted off his maiden special weight score. Finished well in spite of a
pedestrian pace in just his second career start, his first effort beyond seven
furlongs. Remains eligible for a preliminary allowance contest.