Mr Maybe turns heads with powerful Red Smith victory; McGaughey sends out a couple of horses to watch at Aqueduct

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

A pair of graded stakes races headlined the second week of racing at Aqueduct.

Discovery H. (G3): Paul Pompa et al’s TOMMY MACHO (Macho Uno) took a short lead at the top of the lane and proved much the best in pulling away to a 4 ¼-length triumph under Javier Castellano. The three-year-old colt got nine panels on the sloppy, sealed oval in 1:51 3/5 for conditioner Todd Pletcher.

Red Smith H. (G3): Michael Dubb et al’s MR MAYBE (Ghostzapper) made a big move into and through the lane, posting a powerful 4 ¼-length romp for trainer Chad Brown. The four-year-olds gelding clocked 1 3/8 miles on the firm turf course in 2:17 2/5 with Irad Ortiz in the silks.

Track Stats

A total of 45 races were held at the Long Island, New York venue, with favorites winning at a 44 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 67 percent of the wins during the week. From 34 races on the main oval, 10 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (29 percent), while three of the 11 grassy races were taken all the way on the lead (27 percent).  

Of the 10 wire jobs on the main oval, four came in route runs and the latter six occurred in sprint races. Wednesday was best for speed runners as eight of the nine winners sat in first or second at the first call of their respective races. The oval played more fairly as the week progressed, though.

All three winners that led at each call on the turf came in route races. While we did see a few deep closers win, the majority of the first-place finishers were in the hunt and in range early on.

Meet Totals

Races:		98
Dirt:		66
Turf:		32
Favorites:		42 (43%)
2nd Choices:		17 (18%)
Turf Wire:		7 (22%)
Dirt Wire:		20 (30%)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (11/11)

4TH – HOLD HARMLESS (Blame) didn’t impact the outcome of this race but she did come home well on an oval playing to speed in a big way. It was a nice debut effort for the Shug McGaughey trainee, who should be fit and ready second time out.

Thursday (11/12)

1ST – IRISH CAT (Street Cry) confronted the top duo in early stretch and drove home a facile winner in a sharp try for Linda Rice. The sophomore gelding was more than seven lengths clear under the wire and is on a fine roll at this moment.

3^RD – REGIA MARINA (Medaglia d’Oro) returns to this list following another nice try, finishing second to a potentially decent one for trainer Tom Albertrani. It’s hard to fall in love with a runner who shows seven placings and no wins, but the consistent filly will break through at some point.

Friday (11/13)

3RD – TIME FOR ANGIE (Time to Get Even) rolled home a decisive winner in the lane and could turn out to be a productive claim for conditioner Michelle Nevin. The California-bred filly has won three of five since coming to the Empire State and is in a career-best form cycle.

8^TH – FIRE AWAY (War Front) proved stubborn late in posting a second straight win and has finished in the top two in three consecutive races. The McGaughey pupil has really improved since stretching out to longer trips on the lawn and can be a productive stakes type with a bit more improvement.

Saturday (11/14)

5TH – GOVERNOR MALIBU (Malibu Moon) justified his 1-5 odds with an easy maiden tally for Christophe Clement and could win right back in his subsequent outing. The colt has proven capable on the main oval as well as the green, and looks like a very useful type going forward.

7^TH – MR MAYBE turned some heads with his punishing move in this graded score and could evolve into a real nice one heading into the 2016 season.

Sunday (11/15)

1ST – RAYELLA (Giant Oak) finished fourth in her debut but was beaten only 2 ½ lengths and rates a big chance with a forward move next time for conditioner John Shirreffs, who is better with experienced runners. Tab this one as a live contender next time.

A Look Ahead

There is no graded racing this week at Aqueduct.