Favorites excel at Aqueduct last week, Morse Code among a trio of McGaughey horses to watch

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

There was no graded racing this past week at Aqueduct.

Track Stats

A total of 45 races were held at the Long Island, New York venue, with favorites winning at a 40 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 69 percent of the wins during the week. From 31 races on the main oval, nine animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (29 percent), while two of the 14 grassy races were taken all the way on the lead (14 percent).  

The bettors had another good week at The Big A with the top two choices coming home first in 69 percent of the races. Six favorites came home on Sunday alone, and the Friday card saw eight of the nine winners being one of the top two betting options.

Speed was solid on the main oval but the surface must be playing fairly with chalk coming home good so often to this point. The muddy oval on Friday appeared better for runners in the mix early.

Meet Totals

Races:		143
Dirt:		97
Turf:		46
Favorites:		60 (42%)
2nd Choices:		30 (21%)
Turf Wire:		9 (20%)
Dirt Wire:		29 (30%)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (11/18)

2ND – WAIT YOUR TURN (Warrior’s Reward) was forwardly placed from the start and rolled home a convincing first-out winner under Luis Saez. The two-year-old filly likely will not be offered for a tag next time and could be a useful one with steady improvement.

7^TH – FOURSTAR CROOK (Freud) roared home a facile winner to earn a second straight win for conditioner Chad Brown. The NY-bred lass might evolve into a stakes type if she continues to improve.

9^TH – MAJESTIC SMILE (Majesticperfection) led for nearly every step of the way in this turf test and shouldn’t be a maiden for long for trainer Graham Motion. The two-year-old filly showed big improvement off her debut try at Saratoga and we like her going forward.

Thursday (11/19)

6TH – NARVAEZ (Holy Bull) was stuck behind a clear leader on a slow pace but put in a nice run to be second in this dash. The Steve Klesaris trainee has been third and second in his last pair and could be the one next time with another move in the right direction.

8TH – BAUBLETTE (Unbridled’s Song) swept to the lead in early stretch and powered home a fine 5 ¾-length allowance heroine under Javier Castellano. The Shug McGaughey trainee has been super sharp in two of her last three and looks like a nice prospect going forward.

Friday (11/20)

2ND – SIR MACHO (Macho Uno) returned off a win nine days ago and made good again, leading throughout for conditioner Chris Englehart. The four-year-old gelding has earned lifetime-best BRIS Speed numbers from a pair of runs on the dirt in New York and will be super tough right back in this form cycle.

7^TH – We’re not sure what type of field TAPITRY (Tapit) made short work of in her dirt debut, but the McGaughey trainee did so well within herself and looms a big chance right back if properly placed.

9^TH – MORSE CODE (Tapit) gave McGaughey another one to watch when closing well to be second in his debut offering. The two-year-old colt is likely to improve with seasoning and more distance, and is one to surely keeps tabs on in the near future and into 2016.

Saturday (11/21)

6TH – MALIBU ACTION (Malibu Moon) did everything right but win the bob when four lengths clear of third in a nice debut offering for Timmy Hills. The two-year-old colt had a tricky inner post slot and might benefit from being outside more in his subsequent outing.

Sunday (11/22)

4TH – SEYMOURDINI (Bernardini) broke through in his third start in a big way, rolling home by more than nine lengths in a strong performance. The $900,000 two-year-old buy looks like a fine prospect that we might be hearing from next year for Linda Rice.

6^TH – SHAGAF (Bernardini) was another fine two-year-old winner on this day as the first-time starter was tons the best for conditioner Chad Brown. The two-year-old colt showed speed and a fine turn of foot, and he could be any kind.

A LOOK AHEAD

A big week of stakes action is ahead at Aqueduct. Thursday will play host to the $250,000 Fall Highweight H. (G3), while the Friday headliner is the $300,000 Go For Wand S. (G2).

The $500,000 Cigar Mile (G1) leads a quartet of graded races on Saturday and will be accompanied by the $300,000 Remsen S. (G2), $300,000 Demoiselle S. (G2) and $300,000 Comely S. (G3).