Awesome Gent, Adventist, Clipthecouponannie & Katniss the Victor all post nice 2-year-old maiden wins at Aqueduct

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

There was no graded action this past week at Aqueduct.

Track Stats

A total of 44 races were held over the inner strip at the Long Island, New York venue, with favorites winning at a 27 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 47 percent of the wins during the week. Nineteen races were won in wire-to-wire fashion (43 percent).

Early speed was very good all week at this venue last week with 19 runners leading at every call. From that total, 12 came in sprints and the other seven occurred going a route of ground.

Outside posts continued to be tough to win from, and after two weeks here, horses breaking from slots 1-through-6 have accounted for 75 of the 89 race winners (84 percent). The right runner can win from off the pace here for sure, but giving up ground every step of the way is not the best way to go about doing so.

Meet Totals

Races:		89
Dirt:		89
Favorites:		24 (27%)
2nd Choices:		18 (20%)
Dirt Wire:		31 (35%)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (12/16)

2ND – BARRIER TO ENTRY (City Zip) was last early but put in a strong late run to be second in this dash, finishing eight lengths clear of his nearest foe. The Pat Kelly-trained filly will be very tough right back at this level.

5TH – AMERICAN CREED (Quiet American) was a bit wide throughout but still battled on, falling just a head short at the wire over an oval that was playing to speed. The Chris Englahrt pupil is one to watch in her return if he gets a better voyage or less-biased track.

6^TH – KATNISS THE VICTOR (Midnight Lute) was much the best in this maiden score and is one who could be almost any kind for Rudy Rodriguez. The two-year-old filly was very professional, rolling home a two-turn winner in her debut and we think she is intriguing going forward.

Thursday (12/17)

3RD – MR HARLAN (Harlan’s Holiday) was no fluke for conditioner John Hertler, overcoming traffic and eyeing down the 2-5 favorite in the lane to come out on top. The sophomore colt could be of good value once again as he faces winners next out.

4TH – Rodriguez unveiled another nice first-out winner in CHUBBY MASTER (Mineshaft), who rolled home to a big tally in this offering. The two-year-old colt was not claimed and likely will not be offered for a tag in his comeback run.

Friday (12/18)

8^TH – HUSH NOW (Flatter) could not reel in the clear winner but did battle on gamely, finishing a clear runner-up under the wire for trainer Tom Bush. The three-year-old filly might be sitting on a win next time with a better pace scenario.

Saturday (12/19)

2ND – AWESOME GENT (Awesome Again) graduated in style, coming home swiftly under Manny Franco. The Todd Pletcher-trained gelding is bred to run longer and surely looked capable of doing so with a powerful finish under a sharp hand ride.

4^TH – ADVENTIST (Any Given Saturday) sent notice that he could be a real nice one, airing over this field with an 11 ¼-length score at first asking. The Leah Gyarmati trainee took a lot of money and deservedly so, and we expect to see this one in the stakes ranks in 2016 with a pedigree that hints he can run long.

Sunday (12/20)

6^TH – CLIPTHECOUPONANNIE (Uncle Mo) was well backed in this debut run and we saw why, as the two-year-old filly was superb with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the silks. The Todd Pletcher-trained filly drew off late after chasing lone speed and surely will be stakes bound before long after this performance.

A Look Ahead

There is no graded racing this week at Aqueduct.