AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 21, 2008
by Bernard T. Moore
Finally! A 25-year agreement is now in place that permits the New York Racing
Association (NYRA) to run Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga. This accord guarantees that racing will continue without interruption,
as a shutdown certainly would have given yet another black eye to the racing
industry, which is already beset by a multitude of problems.
Despite having this sought-after agreement in place, a stoppage in racing
occurred anyway. On Wednesday, racing was canceled due to extreme weather
conditions.
The Hollie Hughes H. on Saturday was reduced to a virtual match race when
GOLD AND ROSES (Gold Token) and Whistlin’ (Five Star Day) battled for the lead
from the opening bell. They quickly distanced themselves from the field, and
there was little to choose between these rivals as they made their way into the
stretch as both runners refused to give an inch. However, in deep stretch, Gold
and Roses finally began to slowly edge away, eventually winning by three parts of a
length. Whistlin’ held on gamely for second, with Prince of Peace (Regal
Classic) closing belatedly to finish third.
On Sunday, READY FOR FORTUNE (More Than Ready), a new addition to Gary
Contessa’s barn, proved gamest in a stirring stretch battle to annex the Dearly
Precious S. by a neck. The early trailer in a field of six runners, Ready for
Fortune began improving her position leaving the far turn. She moved in earnest
to challenge Armonk (Mizzen Mast) for the lead approaching the eighth pole, and
subsequently was able to eke out a hard-fought neck victory in her inner track debut.
Armonk was ultra-game in defeat, contesting the early fractions from the outset.
She ultimately disposed of all pace pressure upon entering the stretch, gaining
a brief, albeit tenuous lead under jockey Mike Luzzi in midstretch. The gray
lass
continued to persevere when confronted by the winner in a razor-sharp effort.
True Intentions (Officer) formed the other half of the Contessa-trained
entry. She battled for the lead into the stretch, and then tired slowly to take
down the show.
The feature race on Monday’s Presidents’ Day card was the Fred “Cappy”
Capossela S. GO GO SHOOT (Songandaprayer) recorded his second straight stakes victory
with yet another wire-to-wire victory, completing the six panels in 1:10 3/5
over a fast track. The winner, ridden by jockey C.C. Lopez, rated kindly on the
front end, with Accredit (E Dubai) racing to his outside. Not much changed as
they turned into the stretch, as each runner was now in an all-out drive for the
wire. Laysh Laysh Laysh (Whywhywhy) had found his best stride at this point, and
was closing menacingly toward the inside. However, jockey Mario Pino was forced
to apply the brakes when lacking racing room in deep stretch, as both Go Go
Shoot and Accredit went about their business. After the dust had cleared, the
day belong to Go Go Shoot, with Accredit finishing second and Laysh Laysh Laysh
reporting home an unlucky third.
When racing resumed on Thursday, the inner dirt track played uniformly. The
track was partial to early speed from Friday thru Sunday, and appeared to play
normally on Monday.
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (2/14)
4TH – GULLIBLE GAL (Hook and Ladder) put forth an encouraging second-place finish in her
initial start around two turns on dirt. Held well chasing fast fractions in a
swiftly run contest behind an impressive daylight winner. She should be much
fitter for subsequent starts over a middle distance of ground.
7TH – LOVE LYNDSEY (Concerto) closed well late to get the place behind a
multi-level class-dropper, outrunning his 33-1 post-time odds. He has been able
to deliver back-to-back top efforts in the past, and remains eligible to face
limited winners. His lone win on a fast surface came over the Aqueduct inner
dirt track.
Friday (2/15)
4TH – BRECCIATE (Rock Slide) was a respectable third in his well
bet/well meant career debut. He stumbled at the break, and consequently raced
wide throughout. He did manage to finish with good energy late in a race that
was fast for the class level, deriving beneficial conditioning and experience
from this effort.
7TH – WILDBUTABLE (Roar) had little chance to make any impact, closing from
off-the-pace against slow fractions over a speed-favoring track. She can exhibit a
dramatic reversal in form in her second start off the brief break for top claiming
trainer Bruce Levine.
Saturday (2/16)
3RD – MINT LANE (Maria’s Mon) was forced to steady while when rank heading
into and around the first turn. He gave way noticeably after arguing fast
fractions in his initial start against winners. The bay colt needs only clear sailing to show
noticeable improvement.
5TH – TRUEAMERICANSPIRIT (Is It True) showed surprise speed on the drop to
the $7,500 claiming level. The gray gave futile chase to an odds-on, wire-to-wire
winner who
benefited from the speed-biased track. The eight-year-old has been winless a long time, but
not at this class level.
Sunday (2/17)
4TH – AIM TO VICTORY (Capote) easily “manhandled” a field of overmatched
maiden claimers, drawing away in the stretch en route to an impressive daylight
score. The dark bay could probably handle a field of limited winners if properly spotted off
the effort.
6TH – WILD VICAR (Vicar) ran creditably to finish third in his initial
start off the David Jacobson claim. The gelded six-year-old would definitely benefit if returned to the
$10,000 claiming level and a switch to a more aggressive rider.
Monday (2/18)
5TH – OJIBWAY (Bugatti Reef [Ire]) demonstrated a dramatic reversal in form
off the Steve Asmussen claim. He recaptured his tactical early speed to track the early
pace, and finished well late to take down the place. The bay can continue to move
forward off this effort.
8TH – Laysh Laysh Laysh was closing best of all in the stretch,
but unfortunately lacked clear sailing to sustain his bid in deep stretch. In
all likelihood, he would have with racing room.