Paulassilverlining rolls in Distaff; debut winner Call Provision is one to watch for Brown

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

A single graded race topped the action at Aqueduct this past week.

Distaff H. (G3): Vincent Scuderi’s homebred PAULASSILVERLINING (Ghostzapper) forced the pace to early stretch and powered home with relative ease late, registering a 3 ¾-length victory for conditioner Michelle Nevin. The four-year-old filly endured seven-eighths on the fast main strip in 1:22 with Jose Ortiz in the irons.

Track Stats

A total of 44 races were held at the Long Island, New York venue, with favorites winning at a 43 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 64 percent of the wins during the week. From 27 races on the dirt, eight animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (30 percent), while three of the 17 races on the green were taken all the way on the front end (18 percent).

The main strip played well to most kinds in our view. From the eight wire-to-wire winners on the dirt, six came in sprint runs and the other pair going two turns.

Racing on the lawn gave each run style a chance as well and we preferred those being in the mix early. Each of the three wire jobs on sod came going long.

Meet Totals

Races:		118
Dirt:		96
Turf:		22
Favorites:		53 (45%)
2nd Choices:		34 (29%)
Dirt Wire:		28 (29%)
Turf Wire:		5 (23%)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (4/13)

5TH – MEAN SEASON (Henny Hughes) was dueled into submission and ended up last in this sprint, but the Bill Mott pupil is much better than he showed and we won’t give up hope on the capable six-year-old.

6TH – MEATBALL MADNESS (Freud) was wide every step of the way and had to work hard to earn the show honors in his debut, but the John Morrison trainee took a lot of action at the windows and could be dangerous next time out for sure.

8^TH – ALL STAR RED (Five Star Day) tracked from off the pace early and closed with a big rush to earn a strong allowance score for Rudy Rodriguez. The Gulfstream import earned a healthy 96 BRIS Speed number in his first for the new barn and the four-year-old colt could improve in his subsequent effort as well.

Thursday (4/14)

2ND – HIT IT ONCE MORE (Hard Spun) put in a big late charge to take this one going away in nice fashion for trainer Gary Sciacca. The three-year-old colt earned a big 105 BRIS Late Pace figure in making his 2016 debut and might be a player with winners in the subsequent performance.

Friday (4/15)

2ND – TALE OF FANCY (Tale of Ekati) was allowed to establish an easy early lead and took command with ease in the lane to post a second straight tally for conditioner Barclay Tagg. The four-year-old is in arguably his best form and we will continue to give him a chance as long as he is properly placed.

6^TH – IMPERIA (Medaglia d’Oro) put in a solid late run to miss by a few head bobs in this allowance tilt, and the Kiaran McLaughlin trainee shows signs of getting close to his former self. The graded winner has not developed as we would have hoped, but he still has a lot of room for improvement in our view.

Saturday (4/16)

4TH – CALL PROVISION (Lemon Drop Kid) showed a nice turn of foot to run down a clear leader late in a solid debut score for trainer Chad Brown. The gelded sophomore is bred to run all day and to be almost any kind, so it will be interesting to watch as he develops.

6^TH – ADULATOR (Flatter) got in range nearing midstretch and flew home late to post a convincing win under Junior Alvarado. The Jimmy Jerkens trainee will likely be a major player in his first with winners next time out with anything like this showing.

7^TH – MRS MCDOUGAL (Medaglia d’Oro) made a winning return to the races with a solid allowance victory in this affair and the four-year-old could be in line for a big 2016 campaign with expected improvement going forward. The Grade 2 queen earned a career-best a Speed number and should be stakes bound next time out.

Sunday (4/17)

3RD – BIGGER PICTURE (Badge of Silver) was confronted by an old class horse in the lane and fought him off en route to a nice comeback win off the layoff beneath Eric Cancel. The five-year-old Mike Maker charge came home swiftly and could be strong the second time off the layoff next out.

5^TH – BAG OF TRICKS (Bernardini) took command prior to turn for home and made short work of this field late with a commanding allowance win for trainer John Kimmel. The Empire State-bred filly will be facing stakes foes in her next outing in all likelihood after two straight big wins.

A Look Ahead

There is no graded action upcoming at Aqueduct.