Speed fares well over Aqueduct’s main track in final week; favorites win at a 43% clip for meet
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April 27th, 2016
AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK
There no graded races at Aqueduct this past week.
Track Stats
A total of 45 races were held over the main strip at the Long Island, New York venue, with favorites winning at a 38 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 60 percent of the wins during the week. From 28 races on the dirt, nine animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (32 percent), while none of the 17 races on the green were taken all the way on the front end.
Horses from off the pace did best on the lawn this past week, though we did witness some who raced close and went on to win on the green.
Of the nine wire jobs on the main oval, six came in sprints while three others took place in going long. Just one runner this past week on the dirt won from outside the six post, but with that said, all types came home well on the dirt.
Meet Totals
|
Races: |
|
163 |
|
Dirt: |
|
124 |
|
Turf: |
|
39 |
|
Favorites: |
|
70 (43%) |
|
2nd Choices: |
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44 (27%) |
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Dirt Wire: |
|
37 (30%) |
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Turf Wire: |
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5 (13%) |
|
|
|
|
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (4/20)
1ST – Wesley Ward’s LADY STARDUST (Union Rags) got the juvenile season off to a nice start with a fine debut tally under John Velazquez. The two-year-old filly could be almost any type and will be stakes bound next time in all likelihood.
3RD – TROPHEE (Mr. Sidney) swept to the lead in early stretch and strode home a powerful 3 ½-length winner for conditioner Christophe Clement. The five-year-old mare showed no rust in making her seasonal debut and looks like another to be stakes bound next time out.
5TH – CHURCH SOCIAL (Pulpit) never threatened for the top prize in this maiden test, but the Shug McGaughey trainee did run well from last to just miss second and figures to be tough in her subsequent performance with any improvement.
8TH – SWEETRAYOFSUNSHINE (Benchmark) rolled home at a short price in this allowance dash, continuing a fine form run for trainer David Jacobson. The recent stakes heroine has been first or second in six straight and has never been better.
Thursday (4/21)
7TH – DICEY FLATS (Flatter) was quickest early and game late in finishing a fine second in her first turf run in this heat. The Rudy Rodriguez pupil will surely be a major player next time back with even slight improvement on the lawn.
Friday (4/22)
5TH – ELROI (Leroidesanimaux) was relaxed early and made a big late run, turning in a fine try in his 2016 debut. The Peter Pugh trainee closed into a moderate pace and should be tougher in his return while more race fit.
Saturday (4/23)
5TH – UNCLE SIGH (Indian Charlie) was last at the top of the lane but went five-wide and closed with a rush to just miss for trainer Bill Mott. The five-year-old improved off of his last and has some back class, so we will keep an eye on the five-year-old going forward.
7TH – The Barclay Tagg-trained HIGHLAND SKY (Sky Mesa) lived up to his favored status in getting up late to win the stakes under Luis Saez. The sophomore colt was last for a long time in this turf run and impressive in running down one who had a clear lead throughout.
Sunday (4/24)
6TH – ARAGONITE (City Zip) was all hear in this spot after sitting in second to the latter stages and getting a nose down on the wire for conditioner David Donk. The three-year-old colt has improved his BRIS Speed number in four straight and seems to have found a preferred oval after taking this turf debut.
8TH – TIME AND MOTION (Tapit) took a short lead nearing midstretch and held all comers at bay in posting a stakes tally for trainer Jimmy Toner. The three-year-old filly is surely talented and could evolve into a graded player with more improvement.
A Look Ahead
The action moves to Belmont Park this week, where no graded racing is on tap.
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