AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
JANUARY 15, 2010
by Albie Johnson
Racing resumed a regular beat here during the previous week, with the winter
holiday break and a pair of abbreviated weeks now behind us. The weather was a
bit on the chilly side, but no precipitation fell and sunny skies were the order
of the day as we were able to run all five cards without any interruptions.
Saturday’s feature was the Busanda S., who for all of those who weren’t
around at the time, was the dam of the great Buckpasser. A small field of five
sophomores fillies went to the post in the mile-and-70-yard contest, and the
race was actually decided at the start when presumed pacesetter Anchorage
(Tapit) stumbled badly out of the gate. That left AGE OF HUMOR (Distorted Humor)
with an easy early lead, which she never relinquished as jockey Rosie Napravnik
was able to slow down the pace for the first half-mile in :48.56. Age of Humor
was able to maintain a clear advantage during the stretch run to win by 1 1/4
lengths over a game Fuzzy Britches (Pollard’s Vision), who had a neck up on
Judge Sonya (Delaware Township).
The Busanda winner won her debut at Meadowlands for trainer Steve Klesaris
and finished second last out to a good-looking filly at Philadelphia Park. This
race was her first around two turns and she passed the test impressively.
The following day sophomore fillies were again in the spotlight, only this
time it was in a sprint, the Ruthless S., run at a distance of six furlongs.
Most all entered were exiting their maiden wins, with the public centering their
attention on Kentucky shipper Funny Feeling (Distorted Humor) and the locally
based Wild News (Forest Wildcat). Both of those fillies stalked the early pace
but neither was able to pass Philadelphia shipper Argent Affair (Black Tie
Affair [Ire]), who had taken command after three furlongs. However, she began to
tire and drift a bit just inside the eighth-pole and was unable to hold off the
fast-closing INDIAN BURN (Indian Charlie), who had trailed the field entering
the far-turn. She passed Argent Affair with a sixteenth to go and proved best by
1 1/4 lengths with Funny Feeling another three parts of a length back in third.
The winner is trained locally by veteran John Hertler and Richard Migliore.
The most impressive performance of the week was turned in by the
three-year-old colt EIGHTYFIVEINAFIFTY (Forest Camp), who broke his maiden in
Saturday’s 2ND race by 17 1/4 lengths while going six furlongs. The sophomore
hadn’t raced since finishing third on August 1 at Saratoga to Dublin (Afleet
Alex), who would go on to win the Hopeful S. (G1) later on in that meet.
Eightyfiveinafifty had been training bullets for his return and has trainer Gary
Contessa thinking big thoughts down the road.
Congratulations are in order to jockey Ramon Dominguez, trainer Contessa and
Repole Stable as they all finished first in their respective categories for the
just completed 2009 season. Particular kudos go out to Dominguez, as he won the
title at every meet during his first full season on this difficult circuit.
TRACK CONDITIONS
The track was fast for all five days of action and it again played fairly as
to style and post, as it’s done since early December when we moved onto this
surface.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (1/6)
2ND — Dropping in price off a 2 1/2-month layoff, SHAMROGE (Cuvee) had a
very poor break and after racing within range he flattened a bit in the last
eighth to finish a non-threatening third. He should do much better next time
out.
4TH — After finishing second in her first pair, PRETTY COZZY (Broken Vow)
had little difficulty in breaking her maiden in this sprint. The gray filly
tracked early, bid when asked and drew away to win by just under five lengths. I
have the feeling that this rather large specimen will do even better when she’s
stretched out a bit in distance.
8TH — EMBRACE CHANGE (Hook and Ladder) was very impressive and professional
in winning this first-level allowance for state-bred fillies. She trailed the
field early, was attempting to rally while behind a wall of runners, and instead
of going widest Dominguez shot her over to the rail where she found a seam late
to win going away. This sophomore gets better with each start and looks stakes
bound soon.
Thursday (1/7)
7TH — After winning here last out, FOURTH CHAPTER (Touch Gold) was facing
tougher and had the misfortune to break very poorly from her rail post,
essentially costing her all chance. To her credit, she rallied late to finish
fifth of 10 and should run better next out.
8TH — Making his first start since last May, RAMBLINGAMBLIN MAN (Drewman)
lost all chance when he was sandwiched at the start and forced to check. This
race is a toss and he should be given another chance.
Friday (1/8)
2ND — Making her debut at a tough two-turn distance, CAFTAN (Awesome Again)
did not break sharply and did well to pass all but one to finish a rallying
second. Her race was a positive one and this Darley homebred shouldn’t be long
in winning.
Saturday (1/9)
1ST — Taking a big drop in price, BOLD VINDICATION (Vindication) was away
very sluggishly and made some late head way to cut into his deficit. He moves
via a claim after this effort to the high-octane barn of Cody Autry. Look for
immediate improvement next out.
UPCOMING STAKES
No graded events are on tap, but we’ll continue to report on any race that we
deem of significance.
Have a nice week!