Favorites win at 54% clip as racing shifts to main track; looking forward to a big weekend at Aqueduct

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

There was no graded racing on the main oval at Aqueduct this past week.

Track Stats

A total of 26 races were held at the Long Island, New York venue, with favorites winning at a 54 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 71 percent of the wins during the week. Seven of the 26 dirt races were won in wire-to-wire fashion (27 percent).

We witnessed only a trio of racing days this week, so we will surely hold off on making any snap judgments on the condition of the oval at this time. The betting public had a nice run during the week with a high amount of winning favorites and second choices.

Of the seven who led throughout on the dirt, all but one came in the form of a sprint race.

Meet Totals

Races:		26
Dirt:		26
Favorites:		14 (54%)
2nd Choices:		7 (27%)
Dirt Wire:		7 (27%)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (3/31)

5TH – MAKE THE MOMENT (Indygo Shiner) was not helped by a tardy start, but the six-year-old mare had a lot of energy in the lane to be a solid third behind a top pair that stayed every step of the way. She could turn out to be a useful claim after being nabbed by Linda Rice out of this dash.

7^TH – ISABELLE (Successful Appeal) chased in second early and fought hard in the lane all the way to the wire, securing the place spot in a fine comeback try for conditioner Bill Mott. The five-year-old mare could surely improve and have a nice campaign going forward.

Friday (4/1)

2ND – FRAZIL (The Cliff’s Edge) was last early but advanced into striking range turning for home, and he proved best late in a fine effort for conditioner Steve Klesaris. The ten-year-old gelding has now won a pair of races in succession and shows no signs of slowing down at this stage.

4^TH – LOST IRON (Flatter) leveled off nicely in the lane and inched clear late to post a solid maiden win under Junior Alvarado. The chestnut appeared to respond to addition of blinkers and remains a prospect with room for improvement.

Saturday (4/2)

1ST – SWEET ON SMOKEY (Successful Appeal) left no doubt in this starter stakes race, recording an authoritative tally for conditioner Caludio Gonzalez. We’re not sure what the four-year-old filly toppled in this dash, but she surely looked good in one of the best performances of her career.

3RD – SWEETRAYOFSUNSHINE (Benchmark) has superb current form, notching her fifth straight top-two finish, including both tries since coming to the Empire State. The David Jacobson trainee has adapted well to the East Coast and will be given a chance every time in this cycle.

7^TH – Jacobson found success with another California import, TOLEDO EDDIE (Ministers Wildcat), who romped in his New York debut. The razor-sharp seven-year-old has now rolled home in four straight and has never been better.

A Look Ahead

A huge Saturday of racing will take place at Aqueduct, led by the $1 million Wood Memorial S. (G1) for sophomore Kentucky Derby hopefuls. Four other graded races will be hosted at the ‘Big A’ -- $400,000 Carter H. (G1); $300,000 Gazelle S. (G2); $300,000 Bay Shore S. (G3); and the $200,000 Excelsior S. (G3).