Inner track continues to play fairly; Gaming, Roman Ceres New York-bred maiden winners to watch at Aqueduct

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

There was no graded stakes action at Aqueduct this past week.

Track Stats

A total of 37 races were held over the inner strip at the Long Island, New York venue, with favorites winning at a 51 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 65 percent of the wins during the week. Seven races were won in wire-to-wire fashion (21 percent).

The inner surface played fairly for the second straight week, and the amount of winning favorites once again backs up our opinion. Speed was best over the weekend when six winners led throughout from 19 races, but all types had success during the four-day race week.

Meet Totals

Races:		361
Dirt:		361
Favorites:		146 (40%)
2ND Choices:		65 (18%)
Dirt Wire:		98 (27%)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (2/18)

6^TH – PRAIRIE STONE (Stonesider) didn’t win and finished just fourth in this allowance test, but the Steve Klesaris fell just a few head bobs short after being last at the top of the lane. The five-year-old mare could easily move forward while making her second run of 2016 next time.

8^TH – THIRST FOR GLORY (Lemon Drop Kid) was well back behind a slower pace but still put in a nice late rally to be a good second under Irad Ortiz Jr. The gelded four-year-old may continue to show more next time.

Friday (2/19)

3RD – STORM PURSUIT (Stormy Atlantic) zipped to the early lead and twice held off a tough test from the favorite, recording a smart sprint score for conditioner Chris Englehart. The eight-year-old gelding has now won three in succession and appears to be getting better with age.

7^TH – UNSTOPPABLE U (Exchange Rate) opened up a nice edge in the lane and held sway late to pull off a third straight win, finishing either first or second in his last six starts. The gray gelding is on a nice roll and we’ll stick with him in this good form cycle.

Saturday (2/20)

5^TH – ZAMBIAN DREAM (Morning Raider) took aim on the lead nearing midstretch and did better late recording a solid allowance victory for trainer Todd Pletcher. The talented five-year-old import might be in line for a nice 2016 campaign with steady improvement.

6^TH – CADEYRN (Malibu Moon) broke through in a big way, rolling home by 11 lengths in a breeze beneath Manny Franco. The sophomore colt didn’t defeat the best field, but it’s hard to argue with this result and the sophomore surely deserves a look in his first start versus winners next time.

10^TH – GAMING (Freud) came off the layoff a better horse it seems, posting a going-away maiden score for trainer Gary Gullo. The sophomore tried stakes foes as a juvenile and could evolve into a good one with a bit more seasoning and improvement.

Sunday (2/21)

3RD – RACHEL’S TEMPER (Flatter) roared home with good late energy, posting a dominant allowance win beneath Kendrick Carmouche. The five-year-old mare went five-wide in the lane and still earned a 101 BRIS Late Pace figure for David Cannizzo.

9^TH – ROMAN CERES (Roman Ruler) tracked a clear leader to the top of the lane before seizing command, recording a sharp maiden tally at first asking, in our view. The Bill Mott trainee was quite professional and we think she will be a nice prospect with state-bred foes in the near future.

A Look Ahead

There is no graded racing this week at Aqueduct.