A look ahead to winter raing
Trotman
Senior Member
For many, Christmas brings to mind Santa Claus, holiday cheer, peace on Earth, and good will toward men, but for horseplayers, especially in New York, the second half of December means serious holiday doldrums with fewer tracks and less racing to bet on this time of year.
Here is a horse racing holiday survival guide. Let's take a look at who's running, and who's not from now until the end of the year. Any way you slice it, it's slim pickings to say the least.
No racing or limited schedule
Aqueduct - No racing until Fri., Dec. 26. Regular Weds.-Sun. schedule resumes Dec. 31
Golden Gate - Closes for remainder 2008 on Sunday, Dec. 21
Santa Anita - Santa Anita opens Friday, Dec. 26
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - No Thoroughbred racing Dec. 24-25
Full racing schedule
Calder - Full racing schedule (dark Tuesdays). Gulfstream Park opens Saturday Jan. 3.
Fair Grounds - Racing Dec. 20-24. Dark Dec. 25-26)
Hawthorne - Dark Dec. 24-25
Tampa Bay Downs - Full racing schedule Tuesdays through Saturdays (except Dec. 24-25)
Turfway Park - Dark Dec. 22-25, open straight through Dec. 26-31 (incl. Mon.-Tues.)
However, because the way Christmas falls this year on a Thursday, the holiday layover for most tracks won't be as bad as it has been some other years. Now, with Christmas out of the way this year on a Thursday, Santa Anita is able to schedule its traditional Dec. 26 opening day on a Friday, which is the same day Aqueduct and several other tracks return after a Christmas week break of Monday through Thursday. For the most part, racetrack schedules should be back to normal in time for New Year's Eve on Wednesday, Dec. 31, when most tracks will resume their usual Weds.-Sun. schedules.
Along with Santa Anita's annual opening on Dec. 26, the other date simulcast players wait for this time of year is the first Saturday in January, which is the opening day of Gulfstream Park - this year on Jan. 3. Until then Calder will be open nearly everyday except for Dec. 24-25, and Tuesday, Dec. 30 while it enjoys its best race meet of the year - the Tropical at Calder meet. Plus, the December weather in South Florida usually starts to become a little more dependable than other times of the year, so expect a lot of turf racing and fewer track biases for the remainder of the Tropical meet.
TAMPA BAY DOWNS
Elsewhere in Florida, you probably don't want to ignore Tampa Bay Downs, which offers good quality racing that continues to get better and better each year. Field sizes are already big, but they'll soon swell exponentially, especially in maiden races and turf races which always feature big full fields at Tampa Bay Downs.
When it comes to betting Tampa, you won't ever get far if you ignore the stalwarts of the jockey colony including veterans Daniel Centeno, Carlos Montalvo, Juan Lopez, Rosemary Homeister and Jose Velez. When it comes to trainers, you'll want to always stay on top of the big names from South Florida, as well as local stalwarts Lynn Scace, Kirk Ziadie, Gerald and Dale Bennett, and former top trainer Jamie Ness, who always wins at huge percentages, particularly off claims.
It never ceases to amaze how many serious horseplayers continue to ignore Tampa Bay Downs when the track continually churns out a better quality product year after year. Shippers come to Tampa Bay Downs from all over, which makes handicapping contenders challenging. However, once horses have had their initial outs over the track, the races actually start to become rather formful. Once Gulfstream starts, one angle to watch out for is the two turn-to-one angle, or the one turn-to-two angle. Certain horses prefer either one turn or two-turn races, and with one mile races being run around two turns here and one turn at Gulfstream, horses can dramatically turn around their form - both positively and negatively - simply by shipping between the two tracks.
Another thing to watch for at Tampa Bay Downs are the mile-and-a-sixteenth races, especially when it comes to horses shipping to-and-from Gulfstream Park. This is because Gulfstream can't card mile-and-a-sixteenth races due to its track layout, so you'll get horses coming to Tampa from Gulfstream in order to either stretchout or cutback to a mile-and-a-sixteenth.
In general, the track at Tampa Bay Downs plays fair for all running styles on turf and dirt. Big fields result in horses drawing far outside posts, however, so if anything, you'll usually want to proceed with caution when it comes to horses that draw far outside posts in two-turn races. They can be at a disadvantage from wide trips unless they have the speed to clear the field early, or the late-running style that allows then to drop back in the field and save ground into the first turn.
SANTA ANITA
Finally, one can't write about winter racing without mentioning Santa Anita. SoCal aficionados will tell you that Santa Anita is the bread-and-butter meet on the annual racing calendar in California, and West coast handicappers are no doubt licking their chops at this time of year waiting for Santa Anita to get into full swing.
When racing shifts to Santa Anita, many things will change but many other things will stay the same. Among the things that will change, of course, will be the turf sprints, which will move to Santa Anita's down-the-hill turf course. This is a major change from Hollywood Park, and some of the best overlays early at the meet can be found in grass sprints. When it comes to the down-the-hill turf course at Santa Anita, always remember that it is a haven for horses-for-the-course. Some horses excel down the hill, while others don't. On the flip side, some horses who had been excelling at Hollywood just won't be able to carryover their form to the SA sprint course due to a dislike for the down-the-hill races.
Also, be aware of horses that have shown a liking for Santa Anita's new Pro-Ride synthetic surface. Toss out horses' career records at Santa Anita and concentrate only on past performances going back no further than this past fall's Oak Tree meet - which was Santa Anita's first meet with Pro-Ride. New Santa Anita horses for the course will begin to become established, so keep a close eye out for those runners while remembering to downgrade the horses that have proven to do their best running at Hollywood Park on that's track's unique Cushion Track artificial surface.
Here is a list of horses to watch in Southern California as the year 2008 draws to a close. Put these in your pocket for use early in the Santa Anita meet:
Hollywood / Santa Anita Horses to Watch
ASHEE: Broke slow in a short sprint and then rushed up into a duel up front but never got to the lead and settled for third. Too early to give up on her.
BANDEIRA UNION: Couldn't catch the favored speed horses, but bested the rest easily in sprint prep return from a year layoff.
BIG SHOT SYD: Outran 10-1 odds to run second, just missing the win by a head while five lengths clear of the rest of the field after surviving a speed duel. Won't be a maiden much longer.
BLACK HILLS: Got nipped by a nose for second by the favorite only because he got caught in traffic when trying to rally in mid-stretch. Should win second off the 10-month layoff.
BOOZIN' BEAR: Got hooked in a three-way, four-length-gap speed duel and still managed to outrun 24-1 odds for third.
CALL ALY: Runner-up finish on 12/11 was impressive because she was the only speed horse in the race to hold on till the end between two perfect-trip closers. Don't overlook.
DANCING IN SILKS: Went down in flames as the favorite when extended a bit beyond his limits at 7 1/2 furlongs on 12/14. Can rebound at a shorter distance.
DIVINE LEGACY: Finished with interest for second in a difficult two-turn turf assignment off a five-month layoff. Can win second off the layoff.
FEEL FREE TO FLEE: Got squeezed back to last at the start and then was rank and never completely able to get back into the race. Feel free to try again.
GOOD NEWSMAN: Got shuffled back in traffic and fell too far off the pace to threaten in a race ruled by a loose lone speed wire-to-wire winner. Can win next off the claim.
JOE'SGIRLISGOLDEN: Broke slowly from the rail post and then rushed up into a battle for the lead and tired due to those early efforts.
KULINSKI ROSE: Tried hard in return from a five month layoff but finished behind the 3-5 favorite and early leader. Prepped and ready to win second off the layoff.
LASER POINT: First starter made headway from the back of the pack to finish a close fourth in career debut. Meant for more distance, and can break maiden in second or third start.
LAVENDER TOUCH: Well-bet first starter still finished strong for third after rearing up at the break and losing all chance at the start. Won't remain a maiden for long.
LUNAR CITY: Was completely ignored on the tote board in career debut for low-profile connections, but ran a solid race from the one-hole and should love some more distance.
LUNCH TIME: Held on clearly the best of the front-runners when finishing a clear fourth in his race on 12/5. Can surprise in a paceless turf race on the front end.
MORGAN LANE: Broke three lengths behind the rest of the field in a six-horse race on 12/5, but was the only horse in the race to make up any ground from behind a loose wire-to-wire winning speed horse. Try again.
PINK POLKADOTS: Veered out sharply at the start and missed the break costing her her best chance on 12/20. Just needs a better start.
PREMIER ISSUE: Got bumped back at the start and then rushed up into a speed duel and still held on relatively well for fourth behind a trip of perfect trip closers.
PROUD HERITAGE: Ran hard the whole way until steadied when stuck behind the winner in deep stretch at 18-1. Don't overlook.
REALITY NOW: Got hooked in a five-length-gap speed duel in return from a long layoff. Should improve and may shake loose in second off the layoff.
RED HOT FLAME: Did all he could do for second in a race won off by a loose lone speed wire-to-wire winning favorite. Can do in next.
SCOTTISH DIAMOND: Got caught in a three-way, three-length-gap duel for the lead and held on best of any of the front-runners for third, beaten less than a length.
SEIZE THE FIRE: The rail post is a tough place to be for a first starter, and it cost this horse all chance in his debut when he veered in sharply toward the rail in a slow break. Owns good speed and can win when he gets out of the one-hole.
SLEEP TIGHT: First starter passed nine horses from last to second as the only horse to rally from behind in a race where the front-runners ran 1-2. Won't be a maiden for long.
SMOKEY LONESOME: Needed a race off a five-month layoff. Finished a solid fourth in a turf sprint, just a neck out of third, and can do better in second off the layoff.
SNOW FIGHTER: Showed speed but got hooked in a speed duel in a race that set up for stalkers / closers in first race off a year layoff. Needed the race, beware next time.
SURPRISE MINISTER: Third-place finish in career debut was even better than it looked behind a wire-to-wire odds-on winning favorite and a well-bet Harty Keeneland invader. Surprise package.
TO THE PENNY: Got squeezed back at the start and then hustled up toward the lead in a race that set up for the closers. Remained the only pace horse still around at the end when finishing a head out of third and less than a length out of second
TOWZEE: Needed a race off a four-month layoff. Prepped and ready after turf sprint on 12/10.
VALID MECKE: Was bumped and steadied at the start in return from a two year layoff, but then ran well for second behind a loose wire-to-wire winning 3-2 favorite. May not be denied in second off the layoff.
WARREN'S CAME HOME: Set A fast pace and held on better than expected for third in return from a six-month layoff. Switch to 6F might do the trick in second off the layoff.
WHITE LACE JIMMY: First starter broke slowest in a 13-horse field but passed many horses to finish fourth, just two noses out of second in a promising effort. Won't be a maiden much longer.
AQUEDUCT
When Aqueduct's hiatus ends and racing finally returns to New York on Friday, Dec. 26, handicappers will be treated to a pick six carryover of more than $159,027.
Some things to watch for when Aqueduct resumes include the hot barns of Steve Asmussen and Scott Lake, and the hot new local apprentice jockey Sheldon Russell, who has already proven that his jockey standings leading form from the Laurel meet was no fluke.
Track biases are always a concern when talking about Aqueduct racing this time of year, and handicappers should take note of some of the inner track's apparent biases from the first part of December. They could aid your handicapping when racing returns on Dec. 26 and beyond.
Aqueduct Inner Track Biases
Dec. 14 - Dead rail, closers did better than usual
Dec. 13 - Outside bias, closers did better than usual
Dec. 12 - Needed to be close up
Dec. 11 - Both sprints won wire-to-wire
Dec. 10 - Up close horses did good in sprints, closers in routes
Dec. 7 - Track played fair
Dec. 6 - Track played fair
Dec. 5 - Speed and up close horses did best
Dec. 4 - Track played fair
Dec. 3 - Speed horses had the edge
Looking for some live horses to watch in the coming weeks of racing at Aqueduct? Here is a list of horses who should be sitting on good, winning, and/or improved efforts:
Aqueduct Horses to Watch
BALLADO ALERT: Got hooked in a four-length-gap speed duel and held on for second after his early finisher tired badly to last. Lost only to the race's even-money favorite.
BUDDHA POWER: Chased a loose lone speed wire-to-wire winning favorite and could do no better than second. His turn to graduate next time off the claim by Chad Brown.
CITY VICAR: Stumbled and got squeezed back at the start to begin six lengths behind the rest of the field in first race back from an eight-month layoff. Try again.
DECADENT MAN: Stumbled at the start causing the rider to lose his irons and begin last in an 11-horse field, but somehow gathered himself and rushed up and made a run for second behind the favorites. Can surprise with a better start.
FAST N' SASSY: Closed from last to second to lose only to the 3-2 favorite in a race where no other horse made serious headway from off the pace.
GATTO NERO: Steadied in tight when inside chasing the pace on a speed favoring track, but then regrouped and finished a good second in 5 1/2F career debut. Likely maiden breaker off the claim by Sedlacek.
GOLD CLOSE TO HOME: Hesitated at the start but put in a good rally for third behind a wire-to-wire winner in comeback race off a six-month layoff. Beware in second off layoff.
GRAND MINSTREL: Returned in an impossible spot against a tough field in comeback from a year layoff. Prepped and ready to improve.
HEIR TO THE STONE: Was at an immediate disadvantage after being bumped and stumbling at the start. Can make amends in second off the layoff.
IRISH GENTLEMAN: Beat two biases in order to win going away on 12/14 when battling for the lead inside on a day when the track favored outside horses from off the pace. Likely repeat winner next time out.
ISN'T THAT SPECIAL: Never threatened against the bias from off the pace on a speed-favoring track in a race ruled by the front-runners. Can surprise off the claim by Tony Dutrow.
MARIBEL'S PRINCESS: Toss out last-place finish after breaking poorly and losing all chance at the start. Better luck next time.
MEGADEED: Set a fast and pressured pace and managed to go wire-to-wire in a race where every other speed challenger in the race tired badly. Likely repeat winner next time.
MINISTER'S APPEAL: Fought for the lead and held on gamely for second at 48-1 on a day when the track was death for speed horses. Must respect again in second off the layoff.
MONA FROM DELTONA: Got caught in a speed duel and couldn't hold on after putting away her early challenger. Worth a shot next time as a live overlay.
MORE OATS PLEASE: Stumbled badly at the start and lost all chance in return from a five-month layoff. Too early to give up hope on her.
MUFFY: John Hertler doesn't crank up his first starters and rarely wins with a debut runner, so you better take notice when one of them wins. Muffy looks like a good one despite losing second start on 12/7 behind a loose wire-to-wire winning favorite.
PARKY: Couldn't overcome a bad start in return from more than a six-month layoff. Live next time as a big overlay off that last-place finish.
PLURACITY: Battled for the lead and never got a breather up front with separate challengers who included a horse that couldn't be properly restrained with a broken reign. Still outran 14-1 odds for third.
SANTA'S GOLD: Needed a race after an eight-month layoff, but didn't lose by much in return sprint race effort. Prepped and ready for next time.
SAPPHIRE EYES: Stumbled at the start and later got carried out wide by another horse when needing a race off a four-month layoff. Worth another shot in second off the layoff.
SEZZANA: Right there at the finish with the wire-to-wire winning even money favorite in excellent first-out try for Bond, who normally doesn't win at a high percentage with first starters. Won't be a maiden for long.
SHABAAB: Popped and stopped badly in career debut, but these Kiaran McLaughlin horses tend to do much, much better in their second starts. Watch closely.
SHOE BABE: Checked while buried in traffic from the quarter pole to the eighth pole on 12/14. Don't ignore.
SPA PRINCESS: Outran 17-1 odds for third despite racing down inside on the worst part of the track on 12/13 when returning from a four-month layoff.
SPELL CHECK: Got caught in a 2 ½-length-gap duel for the lead and held on for second while 20 lengths ahead of her early speed rival. Lost by only a length while eight lengths clear of the rest of the field.
STEPHEN'S RHYTHM'S: Got hooked in a four-length-gap speed duel while inside on a dead rail day on 12/14 and still held on for third. Don't overlook based on that loss.
SUMMER SHARE: Closed well for second in a race where no other horse rallied from off the pace on a speed biased day on 12/5.
TAKE THE BLUFF: Got caught in a prolonged battle for the lead while inside on the worst part of the track on 12/13. Outlasted the early challenger en route to a solid second-place finish.
THUNDER BUDDY: Stumbled at the start and was not totally persevered with in return from a 2 ½-month layoff. Can rebound immediately off the Scott Lake claim.
TRANQUIL MANNER: Stumbled badly at the break from the rail and lost all chance at the start behind a wire-to-wire winning favorite. Just needs a clean start to improve upon surprise third-place finish.
TRISTE DOBLE Q: Checked, shut-off, and interfered with in the stretch, when third on 12/5. Looks good vs. maidens with a clean trip.
TULIPMANIA: Returned from a year layoff with a big runner-up effort. Fits well vs. the winter inner track competition.
VINNIE VAN GO: Stumbled at the start and fell too far out of it to threaten on a speed favoring track in return from a 2 ½-month layoff. Can rebound in next.
WOLFSON: Was the only off-the-pace winner on a speed biased track on 12/5. Can make it two in a row at next asking.
Here is a horse racing holiday survival guide. Let's take a look at who's running, and who's not from now until the end of the year. Any way you slice it, it's slim pickings to say the least.
No racing or limited schedule
Aqueduct - No racing until Fri., Dec. 26. Regular Weds.-Sun. schedule resumes Dec. 31
Golden Gate - Closes for remainder 2008 on Sunday, Dec. 21
Santa Anita - Santa Anita opens Friday, Dec. 26
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - No Thoroughbred racing Dec. 24-25
Full racing schedule
Calder - Full racing schedule (dark Tuesdays). Gulfstream Park opens Saturday Jan. 3.
Fair Grounds - Racing Dec. 20-24. Dark Dec. 25-26)
Hawthorne - Dark Dec. 24-25
Tampa Bay Downs - Full racing schedule Tuesdays through Saturdays (except Dec. 24-25)
Turfway Park - Dark Dec. 22-25, open straight through Dec. 26-31 (incl. Mon.-Tues.)
However, because the way Christmas falls this year on a Thursday, the holiday layover for most tracks won't be as bad as it has been some other years. Now, with Christmas out of the way this year on a Thursday, Santa Anita is able to schedule its traditional Dec. 26 opening day on a Friday, which is the same day Aqueduct and several other tracks return after a Christmas week break of Monday through Thursday. For the most part, racetrack schedules should be back to normal in time for New Year's Eve on Wednesday, Dec. 31, when most tracks will resume their usual Weds.-Sun. schedules.
Along with Santa Anita's annual opening on Dec. 26, the other date simulcast players wait for this time of year is the first Saturday in January, which is the opening day of Gulfstream Park - this year on Jan. 3. Until then Calder will be open nearly everyday except for Dec. 24-25, and Tuesday, Dec. 30 while it enjoys its best race meet of the year - the Tropical at Calder meet. Plus, the December weather in South Florida usually starts to become a little more dependable than other times of the year, so expect a lot of turf racing and fewer track biases for the remainder of the Tropical meet.
TAMPA BAY DOWNS
Elsewhere in Florida, you probably don't want to ignore Tampa Bay Downs, which offers good quality racing that continues to get better and better each year. Field sizes are already big, but they'll soon swell exponentially, especially in maiden races and turf races which always feature big full fields at Tampa Bay Downs.
When it comes to betting Tampa, you won't ever get far if you ignore the stalwarts of the jockey colony including veterans Daniel Centeno, Carlos Montalvo, Juan Lopez, Rosemary Homeister and Jose Velez. When it comes to trainers, you'll want to always stay on top of the big names from South Florida, as well as local stalwarts Lynn Scace, Kirk Ziadie, Gerald and Dale Bennett, and former top trainer Jamie Ness, who always wins at huge percentages, particularly off claims.
It never ceases to amaze how many serious horseplayers continue to ignore Tampa Bay Downs when the track continually churns out a better quality product year after year. Shippers come to Tampa Bay Downs from all over, which makes handicapping contenders challenging. However, once horses have had their initial outs over the track, the races actually start to become rather formful. Once Gulfstream starts, one angle to watch out for is the two turn-to-one angle, or the one turn-to-two angle. Certain horses prefer either one turn or two-turn races, and with one mile races being run around two turns here and one turn at Gulfstream, horses can dramatically turn around their form - both positively and negatively - simply by shipping between the two tracks.
Another thing to watch for at Tampa Bay Downs are the mile-and-a-sixteenth races, especially when it comes to horses shipping to-and-from Gulfstream Park. This is because Gulfstream can't card mile-and-a-sixteenth races due to its track layout, so you'll get horses coming to Tampa from Gulfstream in order to either stretchout or cutback to a mile-and-a-sixteenth.
In general, the track at Tampa Bay Downs plays fair for all running styles on turf and dirt. Big fields result in horses drawing far outside posts, however, so if anything, you'll usually want to proceed with caution when it comes to horses that draw far outside posts in two-turn races. They can be at a disadvantage from wide trips unless they have the speed to clear the field early, or the late-running style that allows then to drop back in the field and save ground into the first turn.
SANTA ANITA
Finally, one can't write about winter racing without mentioning Santa Anita. SoCal aficionados will tell you that Santa Anita is the bread-and-butter meet on the annual racing calendar in California, and West coast handicappers are no doubt licking their chops at this time of year waiting for Santa Anita to get into full swing.
When racing shifts to Santa Anita, many things will change but many other things will stay the same. Among the things that will change, of course, will be the turf sprints, which will move to Santa Anita's down-the-hill turf course. This is a major change from Hollywood Park, and some of the best overlays early at the meet can be found in grass sprints. When it comes to the down-the-hill turf course at Santa Anita, always remember that it is a haven for horses-for-the-course. Some horses excel down the hill, while others don't. On the flip side, some horses who had been excelling at Hollywood just won't be able to carryover their form to the SA sprint course due to a dislike for the down-the-hill races.
Also, be aware of horses that have shown a liking for Santa Anita's new Pro-Ride synthetic surface. Toss out horses' career records at Santa Anita and concentrate only on past performances going back no further than this past fall's Oak Tree meet - which was Santa Anita's first meet with Pro-Ride. New Santa Anita horses for the course will begin to become established, so keep a close eye out for those runners while remembering to downgrade the horses that have proven to do their best running at Hollywood Park on that's track's unique Cushion Track artificial surface.
Here is a list of horses to watch in Southern California as the year 2008 draws to a close. Put these in your pocket for use early in the Santa Anita meet:
Hollywood / Santa Anita Horses to Watch
ASHEE: Broke slow in a short sprint and then rushed up into a duel up front but never got to the lead and settled for third. Too early to give up on her.
BANDEIRA UNION: Couldn't catch the favored speed horses, but bested the rest easily in sprint prep return from a year layoff.
BIG SHOT SYD: Outran 10-1 odds to run second, just missing the win by a head while five lengths clear of the rest of the field after surviving a speed duel. Won't be a maiden much longer.
BLACK HILLS: Got nipped by a nose for second by the favorite only because he got caught in traffic when trying to rally in mid-stretch. Should win second off the 10-month layoff.
BOOZIN' BEAR: Got hooked in a three-way, four-length-gap speed duel and still managed to outrun 24-1 odds for third.
CALL ALY: Runner-up finish on 12/11 was impressive because she was the only speed horse in the race to hold on till the end between two perfect-trip closers. Don't overlook.
DANCING IN SILKS: Went down in flames as the favorite when extended a bit beyond his limits at 7 1/2 furlongs on 12/14. Can rebound at a shorter distance.
DIVINE LEGACY: Finished with interest for second in a difficult two-turn turf assignment off a five-month layoff. Can win second off the layoff.
FEEL FREE TO FLEE: Got squeezed back to last at the start and then was rank and never completely able to get back into the race. Feel free to try again.
GOOD NEWSMAN: Got shuffled back in traffic and fell too far off the pace to threaten in a race ruled by a loose lone speed wire-to-wire winner. Can win next off the claim.
JOE'SGIRLISGOLDEN: Broke slowly from the rail post and then rushed up into a battle for the lead and tired due to those early efforts.
KULINSKI ROSE: Tried hard in return from a five month layoff but finished behind the 3-5 favorite and early leader. Prepped and ready to win second off the layoff.
LASER POINT: First starter made headway from the back of the pack to finish a close fourth in career debut. Meant for more distance, and can break maiden in second or third start.
LAVENDER TOUCH: Well-bet first starter still finished strong for third after rearing up at the break and losing all chance at the start. Won't remain a maiden for long.
LUNAR CITY: Was completely ignored on the tote board in career debut for low-profile connections, but ran a solid race from the one-hole and should love some more distance.
LUNCH TIME: Held on clearly the best of the front-runners when finishing a clear fourth in his race on 12/5. Can surprise in a paceless turf race on the front end.
MORGAN LANE: Broke three lengths behind the rest of the field in a six-horse race on 12/5, but was the only horse in the race to make up any ground from behind a loose wire-to-wire winning speed horse. Try again.
PINK POLKADOTS: Veered out sharply at the start and missed the break costing her her best chance on 12/20. Just needs a better start.
PREMIER ISSUE: Got bumped back at the start and then rushed up into a speed duel and still held on relatively well for fourth behind a trip of perfect trip closers.
PROUD HERITAGE: Ran hard the whole way until steadied when stuck behind the winner in deep stretch at 18-1. Don't overlook.
REALITY NOW: Got hooked in a five-length-gap speed duel in return from a long layoff. Should improve and may shake loose in second off the layoff.
RED HOT FLAME: Did all he could do for second in a race won off by a loose lone speed wire-to-wire winning favorite. Can do in next.
SCOTTISH DIAMOND: Got caught in a three-way, three-length-gap duel for the lead and held on best of any of the front-runners for third, beaten less than a length.
SEIZE THE FIRE: The rail post is a tough place to be for a first starter, and it cost this horse all chance in his debut when he veered in sharply toward the rail in a slow break. Owns good speed and can win when he gets out of the one-hole.
SLEEP TIGHT: First starter passed nine horses from last to second as the only horse to rally from behind in a race where the front-runners ran 1-2. Won't be a maiden for long.
SMOKEY LONESOME: Needed a race off a five-month layoff. Finished a solid fourth in a turf sprint, just a neck out of third, and can do better in second off the layoff.
SNOW FIGHTER: Showed speed but got hooked in a speed duel in a race that set up for stalkers / closers in first race off a year layoff. Needed the race, beware next time.
SURPRISE MINISTER: Third-place finish in career debut was even better than it looked behind a wire-to-wire odds-on winning favorite and a well-bet Harty Keeneland invader. Surprise package.
TO THE PENNY: Got squeezed back at the start and then hustled up toward the lead in a race that set up for the closers. Remained the only pace horse still around at the end when finishing a head out of third and less than a length out of second
TOWZEE: Needed a race off a four-month layoff. Prepped and ready after turf sprint on 12/10.
VALID MECKE: Was bumped and steadied at the start in return from a two year layoff, but then ran well for second behind a loose wire-to-wire winning 3-2 favorite. May not be denied in second off the layoff.
WARREN'S CAME HOME: Set A fast pace and held on better than expected for third in return from a six-month layoff. Switch to 6F might do the trick in second off the layoff.
WHITE LACE JIMMY: First starter broke slowest in a 13-horse field but passed many horses to finish fourth, just two noses out of second in a promising effort. Won't be a maiden much longer.
AQUEDUCT
When Aqueduct's hiatus ends and racing finally returns to New York on Friday, Dec. 26, handicappers will be treated to a pick six carryover of more than $159,027.
Some things to watch for when Aqueduct resumes include the hot barns of Steve Asmussen and Scott Lake, and the hot new local apprentice jockey Sheldon Russell, who has already proven that his jockey standings leading form from the Laurel meet was no fluke.
Track biases are always a concern when talking about Aqueduct racing this time of year, and handicappers should take note of some of the inner track's apparent biases from the first part of December. They could aid your handicapping when racing returns on Dec. 26 and beyond.
Aqueduct Inner Track Biases
Dec. 14 - Dead rail, closers did better than usual
Dec. 13 - Outside bias, closers did better than usual
Dec. 12 - Needed to be close up
Dec. 11 - Both sprints won wire-to-wire
Dec. 10 - Up close horses did good in sprints, closers in routes
Dec. 7 - Track played fair
Dec. 6 - Track played fair
Dec. 5 - Speed and up close horses did best
Dec. 4 - Track played fair
Dec. 3 - Speed horses had the edge
Looking for some live horses to watch in the coming weeks of racing at Aqueduct? Here is a list of horses who should be sitting on good, winning, and/or improved efforts:
Aqueduct Horses to Watch
BALLADO ALERT: Got hooked in a four-length-gap speed duel and held on for second after his early finisher tired badly to last. Lost only to the race's even-money favorite.
BUDDHA POWER: Chased a loose lone speed wire-to-wire winning favorite and could do no better than second. His turn to graduate next time off the claim by Chad Brown.
CITY VICAR: Stumbled and got squeezed back at the start to begin six lengths behind the rest of the field in first race back from an eight-month layoff. Try again.
DECADENT MAN: Stumbled at the start causing the rider to lose his irons and begin last in an 11-horse field, but somehow gathered himself and rushed up and made a run for second behind the favorites. Can surprise with a better start.
FAST N' SASSY: Closed from last to second to lose only to the 3-2 favorite in a race where no other horse made serious headway from off the pace.
GATTO NERO: Steadied in tight when inside chasing the pace on a speed favoring track, but then regrouped and finished a good second in 5 1/2F career debut. Likely maiden breaker off the claim by Sedlacek.
GOLD CLOSE TO HOME: Hesitated at the start but put in a good rally for third behind a wire-to-wire winner in comeback race off a six-month layoff. Beware in second off layoff.
GRAND MINSTREL: Returned in an impossible spot against a tough field in comeback from a year layoff. Prepped and ready to improve.
HEIR TO THE STONE: Was at an immediate disadvantage after being bumped and stumbling at the start. Can make amends in second off the layoff.
IRISH GENTLEMAN: Beat two biases in order to win going away on 12/14 when battling for the lead inside on a day when the track favored outside horses from off the pace. Likely repeat winner next time out.
ISN'T THAT SPECIAL: Never threatened against the bias from off the pace on a speed-favoring track in a race ruled by the front-runners. Can surprise off the claim by Tony Dutrow.
MARIBEL'S PRINCESS: Toss out last-place finish after breaking poorly and losing all chance at the start. Better luck next time.
MEGADEED: Set a fast and pressured pace and managed to go wire-to-wire in a race where every other speed challenger in the race tired badly. Likely repeat winner next time.
MINISTER'S APPEAL: Fought for the lead and held on gamely for second at 48-1 on a day when the track was death for speed horses. Must respect again in second off the layoff.
MONA FROM DELTONA: Got caught in a speed duel and couldn't hold on after putting away her early challenger. Worth a shot next time as a live overlay.
MORE OATS PLEASE: Stumbled badly at the start and lost all chance in return from a five-month layoff. Too early to give up hope on her.
MUFFY: John Hertler doesn't crank up his first starters and rarely wins with a debut runner, so you better take notice when one of them wins. Muffy looks like a good one despite losing second start on 12/7 behind a loose wire-to-wire winning favorite.
PARKY: Couldn't overcome a bad start in return from more than a six-month layoff. Live next time as a big overlay off that last-place finish.
PLURACITY: Battled for the lead and never got a breather up front with separate challengers who included a horse that couldn't be properly restrained with a broken reign. Still outran 14-1 odds for third.
SANTA'S GOLD: Needed a race after an eight-month layoff, but didn't lose by much in return sprint race effort. Prepped and ready for next time.
SAPPHIRE EYES: Stumbled at the start and later got carried out wide by another horse when needing a race off a four-month layoff. Worth another shot in second off the layoff.
SEZZANA: Right there at the finish with the wire-to-wire winning even money favorite in excellent first-out try for Bond, who normally doesn't win at a high percentage with first starters. Won't be a maiden for long.
SHABAAB: Popped and stopped badly in career debut, but these Kiaran McLaughlin horses tend to do much, much better in their second starts. Watch closely.
SHOE BABE: Checked while buried in traffic from the quarter pole to the eighth pole on 12/14. Don't ignore.
SPA PRINCESS: Outran 17-1 odds for third despite racing down inside on the worst part of the track on 12/13 when returning from a four-month layoff.
SPELL CHECK: Got caught in a 2 ½-length-gap duel for the lead and held on for second while 20 lengths ahead of her early speed rival. Lost by only a length while eight lengths clear of the rest of the field.
STEPHEN'S RHYTHM'S: Got hooked in a four-length-gap speed duel while inside on a dead rail day on 12/14 and still held on for third. Don't overlook based on that loss.
SUMMER SHARE: Closed well for second in a race where no other horse rallied from off the pace on a speed biased day on 12/5.
TAKE THE BLUFF: Got caught in a prolonged battle for the lead while inside on the worst part of the track on 12/13. Outlasted the early challenger en route to a solid second-place finish.
THUNDER BUDDY: Stumbled at the start and was not totally persevered with in return from a 2 ½-month layoff. Can rebound immediately off the Scott Lake claim.
TRANQUIL MANNER: Stumbled badly at the break from the rail and lost all chance at the start behind a wire-to-wire winning favorite. Just needs a clean start to improve upon surprise third-place finish.
TRISTE DOBLE Q: Checked, shut-off, and interfered with in the stretch, when third on 12/5. Looks good vs. maidens with a clean trip.
TULIPMANIA: Returned from a year layoff with a big runner-up effort. Fits well vs. the winter inner track competition.
VINNIE VAN GO: Stumbled at the start and fell too far out of it to threaten on a speed favoring track in return from a 2 ½-month layoff. Can rebound in next.
WOLFSON: Was the only off-the-pace winner on a speed biased track on 12/5. Can make it two in a row at next asking.