Best of the Meet (Part II)
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Best Race - Toboggan Stakes (G3) January 22nd
Okay, so no race run this winter evoked memories of Affirmed vs. Alydar in the ‘78 Belmont. Still, this was a pretty fun renewal of the Toboggan, which was moved up on the calendar by two months so we could enjoy a graded stakes race in the dead of winter. Indeed, the Toboggan was the only graded stake run at the Big A for a three month span. Thankfully, the horses made it count.
Calibrachoa loomed pretty large in this field, both prior to the race and at the top of the stretch - where he sat two lengths off of pacesetter Fastus Cactus, ready to pounce. He’d just come off of a big performance a few weeks prior, however, and his tank wasn’t quite full.
That left an opening for Independence War to mount a challenge. Jockey Junior Alvarado had plenty of horse under him, but nowhere to go. He was stuck on the inside behind Fastus Cactus - the tiring pacesetter - and Endless Circle, who was launching a mild bid of his own, but one that would ultimately fall short. Alvarado eventually knifed his way between horses just past the eighth pole, and Independence War was on the attack.
Meanwhile, on the far outside, Temecula Creek - whose process was also somewhat impeded by Fastus Cactus - also made a late run. He had a lot of ground to cover, but he was doing it pretty rapidly.
In between those two was Calibrachoa, who couldn’t quite draw off the way he was expected to. The pesky Independence War refused to yield, even briefly poking his head in front at one point. And though he was still three lengths out at the sixteenth pole, Temecula Creek was coming fast.
Ultimately, though, Calibrachoa showed his class and held on to win by a head over Independence War, with Temecula Creek finishing a length back in third. The race was run in a solid 1:09.73.
The relative strength of the race was confirmed when Calibrachoa came back to record a dominant score in the Tom Fool (G3) six weeks later, earning a 107 Beyer speed figure in the process.
Biggest Surprise - The (relative) lack of problems caused by casino construction
Logistically speaking, a number of issues have come up as a result of the Aqueduct casino construction, specifically as it relates to the horse population.
First, morning training hours at Aqueduct were limited. Then, they were eliminated altogether as horses could no longer be stabled on the grounds. All horses that had been stabled at Aqueduct were forced to move to Belmont (where they will remain for the next month or so). But the horsemen have seemed to adapt to it pretty well.
The construction hasn’t really impacted the fan experience too much either. There are very few places where the fans are not allowed to go. And the work crews have mostly been invisible during the races.
This isn’t to say that it’s all been peaches and cream. NYRA was forced to cancel a card on March 3rd due to the severing of a cable that resulted in a loss of tote communications. This also impacted their simulcast operation, as they were also forced to shut down the Belmont Café. Though NYRA was insured against the accident, they did have some angry customers on their hands.
Behind-the-scenes there have also been some issues, which is to be expected of any construction project of this magnitude. Water had to be shut off to much of the building after a water main break a few weeks back, in one particularly notable incident.
But, clearly, it could’ve been a whole lot worse.
Biggest Disappointment - The death of Fort Hughes
On January 17th, Fort Hughes crushed the competition en route to a dominant score in the Jimmy Winkfield stakes. He covered six furlongs in a sparkling 1:08.33 - establishing an Aqueduct stakes record. He got a 104 Beyer for the effort.
Big things were being talked about for the promising three year-old colt. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin gave Fort Hughes some high praise in comparing Fort Hughes to his daddy - the gifted sprinter Henny Hughes. Fort Hughes was clearly being pointed for a few of the big races that Henny Hughes won - races like the King’s Bishop and the Vosburgh. The young Darley-owned star was poised for a breakout 2011 campaign.
But on March 6th, Fort Hughes tragically broke down during a gallop at Belmont Park, the result of fractured cannon bone. He had to be euthanized.
“He was a very talented horse who reminded me a lot of his sire,” said McLaughlin. “This is an extremely tough part of this game. There are a lot of highs, but also a lot of lows.”
Too many lows, Kiaran. Too many indeed.
*****
For the last several weeks, the Aqueduct turf course has been covered by tarp, in an effort to hasten the growth of the grass. The main track, which goes ignored for a large portion of the winter, is now being prepared for racing. Uncle Mo arrives in two weeks. Three weeks later, the scene shifts to Belmont. Six weeks after that, the final jewel of the triple crown will be contested.
The inner track season has been fun. But - one inch of snow on the ground notwithstanding - it’s time to rock n’ roll.
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