Inner oval continues to play fairly; maiden winners Amoral, Tapa Liath among horses to watch at Aqueduct
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March 2nd, 2016
AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
There was no graded stakes action at Aqueduct this past week.
Track Stats
A total of 36 races were held over the inner strip at the Long Island, New York venue, with favorites winning at a 31 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 59 percent of the wins during the week. From the 36 races, nine animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (25 percent).
We continue to consider this to be a fair playing field for all types of runners, both sprinting and going two turns. This marks the third week of racing in succession that all kinds seemed to have a chance. Speed was best on Friday with four winners leading at every call.
Meet Totals
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Races: |
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397 |
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Dirt: |
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397 |
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Favorites: |
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157 (40%) |
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2nd Choices: |
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75 (19%) |
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Dirt Wire: |
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107 (27%) |
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|
|
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HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (2/25)
2ND – JEMMABELLE (Street Sense) ran down a clear leader with a fine late run to graduate for conditioner Tom Albertrani and we think the mare could be a contender right back with any improvement.
4TH – AMORAL (Scat Daddy) ran like an odds-on favorite should in posting a 13-length romp under Irad Ortiz Jr. The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained colt finished up in a nice time considering the condition of the oval and surely will be a logical contender next time against winners.
Friday (2/26)
4TH – TIME FOR ANGIE (Time to Get Even) made it five straight, and six of eight since coming to the Empire State, with another game tally in this sprint. The razor-sharp five-year-old is hard to go against in this cycle and makes sense if properly placed next time off the claim by Bobby Barbara.
6TH – TAPA LIATH (Paddy O’Prado) was a going-away winner in a route debut, getting her career off to a fine start. The sophomore filly defeated elders in this voyage for trainer Carlos Martin and surely could have a very bright future with continued improvement.
Saturday (2/27)
1ST – ENDURING TOUCH (Touch Gold) sped to the lead soon after the break and never looked back en route to an easy victory under Kendrick Carmouche. The four-year-old filly earned a second straight fine score since adding blinkers and we won’t take that for granted as she returns to this list.
8TH – MO D’AMOUR (Uncle Mo) has shown steady improvement from a trio of runs in 2016 and we think she beat a pretty solid field in good fashion for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The dark bay is a member of a deep three-year-old filly division, but she could evolve into a nice graded performer with continued improvement.
Sunday (2/28)
5TH – ANYDAYISMYDAY (Afleet Alex) had a lot of ground to make up on the clear leader inside the final furlong, but the filly slowly neared the pacesetter and got up late with Junior Alvarado in a performance that impressed us. The three-year-old filly figures to handle more ground in the future.
BATTLE TUX (Into Mischief) did everything right but hold on late and shouldn’t be a maiden for long for trainer Linda Rice. The filly showed big speed and just tired some in the latter stages to finish behind a more experienced runner.
A Look Ahead
Saturday will play host to the $400,000 Gotham S. (G3), which is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series.
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