Speed was the theme last week; Browse, Send It In & Sustainable among horses to watch at Aqueduct

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

There was no graded action this past week at Aqueduct.

Track Stats

A total of 44 races were held at the Long Island, New York venue, with favorites winning at a 27 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 36 percent of the wins during the week. From 35 races on the main oval, 15 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (43 percent), while three of the nine grassy races were taken all the way on the lead (33 percent).  

Speed was the theme this week on the main oval at the Big A. A total of 15 runners led throughout this week, with five apiece on Wednesday and Friday. Six of those winners came in route runs, with nine others in sprint events.

With a low percentage of favorites coming through, we’d have to say the main oval was biased for much of the week.

A trio of turf winners led at every call, all in route races.

Meet Totals

Races:		233
Dirt:		160
Turf:		73
Favorites:		84 (36%)
2nd Choices:		45 (19%)
Turf Wire:		16 (22%)
Dirt Wire:		49 (30%)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (12/2)

1ST – BRIMSTONE (Munnings) broke through in a big way for conditioner David Donk, leading from the start en route to a seven-length maiden victory with Jose Ortiz. The gelded sophomore obviously has some ability and will be a major player versus winners with even slight improvement.

3^RD – We’re not sure what IRISH LAUGHTER (Exchange Rate) conquered on this day, but the Leah Gyarmati trainee did so impressively when crossing the wire 18 ½ lengths clear under the wire. The three-year-old filly was not claimed and probably won’t be in for a tag next time.

6^TH – The Bruce Brown-trained BROADWAY BAY (Flower Alley) had a lot of work to do at the top of the lane but came home like a rocket to win going away. The four-year-old gelding reeled in a horse that appeared well on his way to victory with a good closing kick.

Thursday (12/3)

1ST – Brian Lynch’s LITTLE DISTORTED (Distorted Humor) swept to the lead in early stretch and drew off to a commanding 7 ¼-length victory with Manuel Franco. The capable five-year-old went off a nice price and could be in the middle of a top form cycle right now.

6TH – LEGALLY BAY (Read the Footnotes) overcame the wide post and a slow pace in front to prove best, posting a sharp 2 ¾-length tally in this allowance test. The Marialice Coffey trainee came home in a solid :25 1/5 while widest in the stretch with Kendrick Carmouche.

Friday (12/4)

3RD – SUSTAINABLE (Forestry) shook off an early foe and romped home a sharp allowance victress for conditioner Kiaran McLaughlin. The four-year-old filly was getting stronger as the race went on and may want more ground in the future.

6^TH – BOOKELIA ISLAND (Medaglia d’Oro) had little chance being last behind a slow early pace in his turf bow, but the Shug McGaughey trainee offered a nice run in the lane to nearly grab third under the wire. The well-bred sophomore colt has flashed ability at times and we expect him to graduate in the near future. 

Saturday (12/5)

2ND – SEND IT IN (Big Brown) returns to the list after a powerful closing run yielded a six-length win versus allowance foes, a third straight big performance since joining the barn of Todd Pletcher. The gelded sophomore posted a lifetime-best 95 BRIS Speed rating and earned a healthy 102 BRIS Late Pace figure.

5^TH – CONNECT (Curlin) couldn’t get to the top pair but did finish clear in third in what we thought was a nice debut try from the barn of Chad Brown. The juvenile colt was wide for most of this race and should be much more fit the second time out.

Sunday (12/6)

4^TH – BROWSE (Medaglia d’Oro) served notice as a well-bred youngster who could be any kind in 2016 after a powerful debut tally for trainer Shug McGaughey. This two-year-old filly swung wide into the lane and put this field away with relative ease for a trainer who rarely gets them to run this big first time out. Keep a close eye on this lass as she develops.

8^TH – DOCTOR DEMPSEY (Harlan’s Holiday) had not run since the summer of 2014, so this second-place run might have been even better than it looks on paper. The Bob Baffert-trained five-year-old led for a long way and held second well in a race he surely needed.

A Look Ahead

There is no graded racing this week at Aqueduct.