December 31, 2004. Today's feature at Fair Grounds, the Louisiana Handicap, offers a $60k purse and has attracted an impressive field of seven stakes-ready competitors. Alumni Hall, who did not race before he turned 5 years old has made the most of his career after such a late start, accumulating nearly $180k in earnings this year after 9 starts. The A.P. Indy horse, trained by Neil Howard, showed his class in a 9 furlong second level allowance heat at Churchill Downs in June, winning by 9 lengths before capturing the Black Tie Affair Handicap at the same distance at Arlington Park the following month. Howard ambitiously entered him in the Grade 2 Saratoga BCH, wherein he faced some of the top performers of the 2004 handicap division, such as Funny Cide, Evening Attire, Bowman's Band and Sarava. His most recent effort, a disappointing turf try should serve to keep his price honest. Inside starter, Kodema, a consistent miler on the midwest stakes circuit, should be keeping Alumni Hall company early. The 5 year old gelding finished fourth in this race last season and then surprised with a fourth in the Grade 3 Whirlaway, but was shifted to Delta Downs against inferior runners to pick up a couple of chalky wins in the spring. Last out, he finished third behind Midway Road and Pie N Burger in a slow running of the Tenacious Handicap here early in the month. Trainer Cody Autrey made an astute claim, picking up Absent Friend for $50k from the John Parisella stable out of a loss to Classic Endeavor and Trial Prep in Saratoga. While this field might have come up a little tough, there is no reason to think this 5 year old gelding won't quickly make back his claim price for Autrey. The likely favorite will be Colonial Colony, the unheralded 6 year old who stepped out of the allowance ranks to finish a game second to Ten Most Wanted in the Grade 3 National Jockey Club Handicap in April. Two races later, the Walter Bindner Jr trainee shocked the racing community by nosing out Southern Image in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap in the slop at Churchill at odds of 62-1 and followed up that performance by a one length loss to Peace Rules in the 10 furlong Suburban Handicap, another Grade 1 event, at Belmont Park. We'll disregard the tough loss in the Clark Handicap last month after a 3 month layoff. This fellow isn't through winning big races. Talented and well bred 4 year old, Gigawatt, has been on the market much of 2004 despite ringing up over $100k in earnings. Former trainer, Michael Stidham, finally unloaded the Wild Again colt for $40k in early November. New conditioner, Steve Flint, immediately reaped the benefits when he won a conditioned allowance race on the turf 3 weeks after the claim. Nonetheless, he will have to deliver a topnotch performance to hit the board today. Jockey Corey Lanerie gets the mount aboard Crowned King, who looks to be outclassed today. The Breeders' Cup Classic probably wasn't the right race for Fantasticat, who earned a trip to the big show after he stole the Grade 2 Super Derby in the mud at Louisiand Downs. The Storm Cat colt, making his final start as a 3 year old, has an enormous late kick which could be enough to make him the bomb in the exotics. SELECTIONS #3. Alumni Hall PLACE 3.40 3.00 #5. Colonial Colony #4. Fantasticat We suspected a front runner would steal this one, and Gigawatt (7-2) was up to the challenge, going gate to wire matching last year's time performance by Spanish Empire, getting the top prize in a time of 1:43.58. Kodema (3-1) was close to the pace but lacked the needed late kick and settled for the show, while our top choice and betting favorite, Alumni Hall (2-1), hung in the stretch after a strong closing effort and finished second, 2 1/4 lengths slow. The exacta paid $34.60 and the trifecta returned $104.80. Happy New Year! December 30, 2004. There will be at least 4 juvenile fillies vying for the early lead in today's entry level allowance for New York bred 2 year old girls, the most lethal of which will be Dynamo Hum, trained by Frank Labocetta, who holds a hot hand at this meet. The Precise End filly, purchased for $25k at auction in March of this year, has progressed steadily since her conditioning was taken over by Labocetta at the end of the summer. Her last out, a maiden allowance win over state breds, was a romp in which she wired the field after starting from the 11 post. Trainer, John Servis, and jockey, Stewart Elliot, team up with Touchy Broad, who makes her second career start after beating open maiden allowance company at Philadelphia Park a month ago in her debut. Acey Deucy just held off Seeking the Ante for her maiden win at 7 panels at Belmont Park in October, while under the tutelage of Bob Klesaris. Diane Nelson retains the mount for new trainer, John Morrison, but they will be hard pressed to get the early advantage surrounded as they are by speedballs. Leading Aqueduct trainer, Richard Dutrow, gets good efforts from his second-time starters and today gets top jockey, Rafael Bejarano, for the ride aboard Tatooma, who went off at 3-5 in her debut in early November, winning by a half length in a reasonably good time. Although talented, we think this one will go off as a heavy underlay. A second daughter of Abaginone running today, Speed Bag hopes to race back to her winning form of mid-September when she grabbed the lead and widened towards an 8 length lead at the top of the stretch at Belmont. The speed figures she got that day just don't measure up to many of these. Jockey, Richard Migliore, tries to make a triumphant return to the saddle aboard What's Your Point, whom he had ridden at Woodbine on the undercard of the Atto Mile. Shipped south to face New Yorkers, the Wheaton filly broke her maiden against a suspect field and seems to need a major improvement to make the grade today. The pace scenario of this contest sets up nicely for a closer and outside starter, Miss Greeny, fits the bill. Another daughter of Wheaton, trained by Tom Bush, won by over 7 lengths over this course earlier in the month, despite breaking from the 12 post. Bush has been a master at producing wins from his juveniles. Shipping from Finger Lakes and starting the first time for new trainer, Allen Iwinski, One O'Clock has too many question marks surrounding her for us to seriously think about backing her. SELECTIONS #5. Dynamo Hum #8. Miss Greeny #4. Tatooma SCRATCHED The third in a string of longshot winners this afternoon, Speed Bag (14-1) refused to relinquish the lead and showed toughness in the stretch to get the victory in 1:10.57, a half length ahead of What's Your Point (8-1). Speed Bag affirmed trainer Jeff Odintz's decision to try her in the $100k Maid of the Mist and, with the win, proved to be the final leg of a $4,221.00 Pick 3. Acey Deucy (2-1) was along late for the show. The exacta paid $132.00 and the trifecta returned $504.00. December 29, 2004. Today's feature at Calder is, ostensibly, a $40k overnight stakes for 3 year olds who have never won a sweepstakes and should be in the control of the outside horse, Heart of Jules, a Jules colt who dodged a rematch with Weigelia in Monday's 5 1/2 furlong $40k Mint stakes. The two raced here in May in a $40k overnight, the Western Borders, in what was Heart of Jules' Calder debut. Weigelia emerged the winner that day and Heart of Jules went on to struggle on the turf before being dropped down to the allowance ranks, where he came up with a couple of huge gate to wire efforts in August. Trainer, Donna Green, has repeatedly tried to coax the colt back onto the grass, but dirt sprints are where he wants to be right now. Trainer, Norman Pointer, shifted Florida bred Fortunate Buy from Monmouth Park to Calder in August and the Fortunate Prospect progeny responded with three good sprints in allowance company before trying optional claimers, a tougher crowd, and running into Smooth Lover, who upset Second of June here on Monday. Also chasing the front runner will be talented sprinter, Thatsthe Fact Jack, a well bred colt racing a little out of his class today. Jockey Jorge Chavez will have the Michael Fennessy trainee forwardly placed hoping he can stay in touch with the favorite to the stretch. Top shelf Woodbine trainer, Roger Attfield, has had some success since arriving in South Florida for the winter months, and today showcases Seeking the Carat, a Quiet American colt who has snuck up on a couple of horses in the final strides. Universal Form has struggled against older horses and will need a huge improvement to hit the board today. Another Woodbine shipper is intriguing Eltish colt, Mr. Pee Vee, unraced until October of this year, but dripping with talent. Former Woodbine rider, Gary Boulanger, accepts the mount and will be breaking from the inside post position, hoping for a ground saving trip behind a tough speed duel. Marshon, shipping from Churchill Downs, is also a late bloomer. The Elusive Quality colt makes his second career start today after outracing his pedigree, crushing a maiden special weight field in November. Trainer Ronny Werner can have them ready off the bench. SELECTIONS #7. Heart of Jules PLACE 2.80 2.20 #4. Marshon SHOW 2.40 #1. Mr. Pee Vee WIN 12.00 4.00 2.40 Our top choice, Heart of Jules (1-1), was drawn into a heated early duel with longshot, Thatsthe Fact Jack (12-1), setting fractions of 21.78 & 44.82. The favorite hit the top of the stretch with a 3 length lead but couldn't hold off Mr. Pee Vee (5-1), who got a fine stalking trip from Manoel Cruz, who replaced Boulanger in the irons. Our third choice got the win 1:18.37, three quarters of a length up on Heart of Jules, his third straight victory after a loss in his career debut on the turf at Woodbine. Marshon (2-1), unplayable at those odds to win, nevertheless acquitted himself well to get the show prize. The exacta paid $24.60 and the trifecta returned $60.60. Congratulations! December 24, 2004. All but two of the 9 horse field in the 11th at Calder, an optional allowance race, are being offered for a price. There will be a four horse scramble for the early lead, with 3 year old gelding, Buteo, and 4 year old colt, Emo, knocking heads. Coincidentally, those are the two entered here under N1X allowance conditions. Trainer Larry Pilotti hopes Buteo can duplicate his gate to wire victory last out over conditioned claimers, but unless the Maryland bred gelding can race back to his New York form from the summer, this one will be gasping in the final furlong. Emo has been racing at this condition much of the year, but we prefer to use him underneath as he makes the switch from turf to dirt. Canadian bred 5 year old gelding, Dr. Greeley, would have toyed with this field as a sophomore but, after a year and a half on the sidelines, this Mr. Greeley progeny who finished fourth in the $100k What A Pleasure stakes here as a juvenile, had to be dropped in price to $10k in order to pick up his first victory in almost 3 years. We think the survivor of the speed duel will be Golden Glacken, making his second start in the Daniel Hurtak stable. The gelded 5 year old son of Smoke Glacken got going late in his Calder debut last month before showing toughness on the front end here 9 days ago. Caribeno (Uru) couldn't catch Golden Glacken that day after moving up in class off a win over $5k claimers as a 7-1 longshot. One of the classier performers in this crew is Scattle Bud, who was competitive at the N2X level in the late summer. Trainer, David Braddy, tried to move the All Gone colt up to face stakes company before losing the 5 year old to the Richard Ciardullo stable. A return to his summer form isn't out of the question as he makes his second start for the current connections. That one's uncoupled stablemate, Ruling Star, will be coming late, as well. The 5 year old gelding appears useful in the gimmicks as he has picked up place or show money in 12 of his last 21 starts. What possessed Jose Fernandez to enter 7 year old professional also ran, Rays a Ruler, in the Grade 2 W L McKnight Handicap last week. A winner of only 4 races after 80 starts, the veteran went off at 158-1 in his 34th start of the season and finished dead last. Mr. Twix is bred for distance and appears to prefer two turns. SELECTIONS #5. Golden Glacken SHOW 3.00 #2. Scattle Bud WIN 12.60 5.20 3.60 #6. Ruling Star #8. Emo Surprisingly, Buteo (5-2) went off as the post-time favorite and was the pace player who managed to survive the early duel and hit the top of the stretch with a length and a half lead, but couldn't hold back our second choice, Scattle Bud (5-1), who raced back to his summer form to beat the front runner by 2 lengths in a time of 1:24.95. Our top choice, Golden Glacken (3-1), raced well on the rise in class finishing third but was no match for the top two. The exacta paid $82.20 and the trifecta returned $260.20. December 23, 2004. The first half of the late double at Calder today features a matchup of four veteran fillies and mares carrying $16k price tags versus four sophomore fillies who qualify at the N1X condition. Pulpit filly, Charity Girl, makes her Calder debut in only her fifth career start and her first in 11 months. With Jose Santos aboard, the Ken McPeek trainee will take a lot of money at the windows despite the layoff. With precious little speed in this contest, she may find herself in unfamiliar territory, with the lead approaching the stretch. We'll just watch this time and dare her to beat us. Trainer, Steve Towne, is having a strong meet and enters Just Emma, a 5 year old mare who's had a tough year bouncing around 7 different tracks on turf and dirt in routes and sprints. Making her second start for Towne, the Nasty and Bold mare has the potential to run back to her lone 2004 win, a 7 panel victory over $25k claimers at Keeneland in October. Anything close to a clean break should have this usually slow starting mare near the early pace. Establishmentcreek, a 3 year old Mt. Livermore filly, looked great breaking her maiden at Gulfstream Park in April, but her return to competition last week was dismal. Stuck in the outside post, we have to see more improvement before we back this one. Clever Note will have to take a big move forward to compete after a maiden win here two weeks ago. Inside horse, Parisian Trip, has been claimed half a dozen times this year alone. She begins her second tour of duty in the Peter Walder stable after a couple of near misses against better at Delaware Park and Gulfstream under Walder's tutelage. The 6 year old mare knows how to win and has faced much tougher competition than this very recently. Acanthus has the look of a turf horse, perhaps a sprinter, who got loose on the front end in her maiden victory at Delaware, setting very slow fractions, then couldn't keep up in another sluggish heat here in late November. Groomerama, also making her first start for Walder, has a huge late kick and is probably going to be useful underneath. The 4 year old filly has 7 second place finishes this year and won at this level as recently as early October, going off that day as 4-5 favorite. Look for a price on 7 year old mare, Bom Luna (Arg), shipping in from a summer/fall turf campaign in Illinois which was more successful than it appears on paper. SELECTIONS #1. Parisian Trip WIN 6.00 3.80 3.20 #6. Just Emma PLACE 6.00 4.40 #7. Bom Luna (Arg) Establishmentcreek (10-1) inherited the lead and was allowed to settle into syrupy opening fractions of 24.50 & 49.00 before being corralled by our top choice, Parisian Trip (2-1) at the 1/8th pole. Parisian Trip went on to win in 1:40.59, but was all out to hold off our second choice, Just Emma (8-1), who had angled out in the stretch and closed well to just miss by a neck. We gave you the exacta cold today as an early Christmas present, paying out $44.80. The trifecta returned $260.80. Congratulations! December 22, 2004. The second half of today's early double at Calder Race Course is a 5 1/2 furlong sprint featuring older fillies and mares racing at the bottom of the claiming barrel in south Florida. Inside filly and one of the "speed" horses, Tipper Kelly M.D., has not hit the board in 17 races as a 4 year old. Customarily, she gets beaten by 10 or more lengths, and, despite having raced against higher priced claimers and allowance runners, dropping to this level hasn't helped. In her last, against three of these, she managed to squander a 5 1/2 length lead and finished dead last for the fourth time in five starts. Another sadsack, who might end up briefly on the front end, starting from the outside post, is tired 7 year old mare, C.R. Pace, who has accumulated exactly two second place finishes over 25 races in 2003 & 2004. One thing is certain: you will get long odds on this one. Harbor Chief, a Boston Harbor filly, hasn't fulfilled the potential she promised last season as a sophomore. It seemed to take a couple of months for the Dan Hurtak trainee to adjust when she was switched to the tougher competition at the Gulfstream Park meet early in the year. She regained her 3 year old form against non-winners of two races in April with a dominating, 7 1/4 length victory as even money favorite, but then hit the sidelines in late May and was out of action for 5 1/2 months. Her return to racing here in early November was promising in that she stuck around for a half mile against a tougher bunch than this. We like her to win second off the bench in a race with very little competitive early speed to worry about. Misti Light, trained by Rosemary Homeister, won at this level in October when she took advantage of a brisk early pace and swung out for a closing move on a tiring field. The pace scenario isn't as perfect for the Colony Light filly today and she shortens after racing at 6 1/2 & 7 furlongs for much of the summer and fall. A game performer, she sticks around and is going to be useful on exotics tickets. On her best, Vicki's Reward can beat these under optimum conditions. The Darn That Alarm filly has been off form since hitting the bench in August and jockey, Eddie Castro, jumps to Harbor Chief. Trainer, Julian Canet, didn't think enough of Friendly Mickey after she won as favorite in her last at 6 furlongs under these conditions against some of these same horses, to move her up in class. That day, she was able to take advantage of a pace setup that crumbled before her, leaving her virtually unpressured to the wire. While we like her chances for a piece of the pie, we do feel she is a vulnerable favorite. Veteran 6 year old closer, Halo of Truth has gotten close in her last two at this level but is still looking for her first victory of 2004. Demand a price. SELECTIONS #5. Harbor Chief SHOW 2.40 #4. Friendly Mickey WIN 5.20 2.60 2.20 #2. Misti Light PLACE 3.20 2.20 Carlos Olivero gave Friendly Mickey (8-5) a great ride, keeping her out of the early speed duel, which was the end of our top choice, Harbor Chief (2-1), bringing her 3-wide on the turn, then home in 1:06.70. As we expected, Misti Light (3-1) was along late to pick up the pieces, grabbing the place prize. The exacta paid $14.60 and the trifecta returned $40.80. Congratulations! December 19, 2004. Three sprinters are returning from last year's edition of the Grade 3 Gravesend, won in 2004 by Shake You Down, who romped to victory after a third in the Breeders' Cup Sprint and a second in the Grade 1 DeFrancis Memorial. Today, there are no BC Sprint competitors in the field, but, likely favorite, Gators N Bears, enters out of a tough fourth in the DeFrancis, in which he broke slowly, then got caught 6-wide coming out of a 3 month layoff. The probably pacesetter will be Maryland bred 5 year old gelding, Ameri Brilliance, who has competed primarily at 4 1/2 furlong dashes for the last couple of seasons. Rafael Bejarano takes the mount on the Ben Feliciano trainee who couldn't hold a 2 1/2 length lead against allowance competition at Mountaineer Park in September, then couldn't get the lead in the $95k Maryland Million Sprint at Pimlico in October. Starting from the outside post won't help the situation of Uncle Camie, who is already a few lengths inferior to many of these. His fourth in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight over the main track has to be considered a career highlight. Another refugee from that contest, Don Six, packed it in early in the slop, marking the third straight sub-par performance from the 4 year old Wild Escapade colt who finished just a neck behind Gators N Bears in the Grade 3 Toboggan Handicap here in March. That race was an excellent follow up to his near upset of the venerable Peeping Tom in the $83k Paumonok over the inner dirt in January. Eavesdropper delivered a huge closing bid in the Fall Highweight, getting third at 33-1 odds. The price will be right again today for a 4 year old colt who still lacks the consistency necessary to build on a benchmark performance and beware horses making their first start over this surface. Veteran 8 year old gelding, Black Silk (GB), is in the best form of his career as he has already doubled his earnings over 2003, with 2 of his 4 victories this season coming over the Aqueduct winter track. That being said, the old timer is a notch or two below these in class. Trainer Richard Dutrow, in one of the best claims of the year, picked up 4 year old gelding, Mr. Whitestone, a year ago for $50k. The Dance Brightly progeny has gone on to earn $113k in 2004 and ranks as a top choice to upset Gators N Bears today for his first graded stakes victory. Papua's only victory as a 5 year old came here in the $80k Hollie Hughes Handicap in February, when he deftly jumped a fallen rival without missing a beat and went on to win by a neck over A One Rocket. Today's race sets up perfectly for this son of Louis Quatorze to bookend his 2004 season with wins at Aqueduct. SELECTIONS #5. Gators N Bears #1. Mr. Whitestone PLACE 4.40 3.40 #2. Papua SHOW 3.90 Once Uncle Camie and Ameri Brilliance were scratched, Don Six (5-1) was left as the only speed in the race and was allowed to set moderate fractions of 22.84 & 45.35, head into the stretch with a length and a half lead, then accelerate to the finish in 1:08.97, certainly the finest performance of his career. As we predicted, Mr. Whitestone (7-2) got by Gators N Bears (4-5) in the deep stretch, but couldn't catch the winner. And, Papua (7-1), hit the board again, hanging on for the show prize. The exacta paid $44.80 and the trifecta returned $164.50. December 18, 2004. An excellent juvenile sprinter, City Zip won the Grade 1 Hopeful, Grade 2 Saratoga Special, Grade 2 Sanford stakes and the Grade 3 Tremont stakes in 2000. His first crop of 2 year olds will be racing next year and today is the first running of a 6 furlong sprint at Aqueduct, named for him, featuring a half brother, Carson's Bridge, who enters here out of his utterly dominating debut victory over allowance maidens a month ago over the main track. Leading North America in wins, and atop the standings at this meet, jockey Rafael Bejarano replaces Cornelio Velasquez (who is racing in Florida) aboard the Richard Dutrow trainee who will likely be the post time favorite. Despite a close third in the H Steward Mitchell stakes at Pimlico earlier in the month, we don't think Late Night Lover, a Not For Love progeny has the speed to keep up with the favorite. Lieutenant Danz tried to make the jump from allowance racing at the Meadowlands to the Huntington stakes, which came up very tough this year. The Gold Fever colt will have to go back to the rating strategy used to win his debut over $20k maiden claimers, as the pace will be furious today. Bizzy Trick was outrun by Lieutenant Danz in New Jersey, then was dropped to the claiming ranks to pick up a narrow victory here after a prolonged speed duel with Need to Please in late November. Bejarano opts to ride Carson's Bridge and will be repalced by Stewart Elliot. Benjamin Baby is the other colt entering this race out of a maiden victory and the son of Forest Wildcat poses the greatest challenge to Carson's Bridge. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has brought the speedy colt along nicely this fall and now shortens him from a couple of tries at 7 panels, the last of which he made a strong closing move to win easily as 8-5 favorite. Pavo sprints for the first time in his career after folding it up early in the Grade 2 Remsen stakes at 50-1 odds. Trainer Jennifer Pederson hasn't had much success shortening horses, but his class may keep him in the mix longer than most of these. We Love Rocky was third to Bizzy Trick against $50k maiden claimers in the summer at Saratoga and enters this after two months on the bench. SELECTIONS #4. Carson's Bridge #5. Benjamin Baby PLACE 5.10 12.00 #7. Pavo WIN 14.00 6.00 17.80 A huge show bet was put on our top choice, Carson's Bridge (1-5), who stumbled badly out of the gate and was bumped, rushed up and never got on track, finishing fourth and creating exorbitant show prices on winner, Pavo (6-1), and place horse, Benjamin Baby (7-2). Pavo showed his class, delivering a solid closing answer to his failure in the Remsen and Benjamin Baby wasn't able to hold on to his comfortable lead in the late going. Lieutenant Danz (37-1) was best of the rest and paid $38.20 to show. The exacta paid $53.00 and the trifecta returned $359.50. December 17, 2004. Four of the seven juvenile fillies in today's penultimate race are moving up to allowance conditions from the claiming ranks and one other makes her first start against winners. The social climbers will all have to catch Snug Harbour, who breaks from an inside post position for the first time in her career. The Boston Harbor filly was caught late by the talented Running Bobcats in the $75k Cassidy stakes at 6 furlongs and, again, tired late after starting from the 10 post and racing 3 wide at 6 1/2 furlongs here 3 weeks ago. The other early speed will be offered by outside horses, Bea's Bionda and My Kip, who both finished well back in claiming races last out. Bea's Bionda was able to set a relatively slow pace two back, then hold on for second, but loses regular rider, Julio Garcia, to Snug Harbour. My Kip broke her maiden at 2 furlongs and was the pacesetter in Aclassysassylassy's win in the $100k JJs Dream stakes. Purchased at auction in March for $40k, Inrightclassitime looks to be too good for the claimers she's faced but unable to step it up against allowance competition. Take note that in both her wins, she went off at less than even money odds. Trainer, Larry Pilotti, having an excellent meet, has taken over the conditioning of Mertie M, who enters here out of her maiden win at this distance as even money favorite 12 days ago. She has the speed to compete with these. Gloried Dancer will probably go off as favorite as she faces a tougher field than the conditioned claiming foes seh's been running against. It will be tough for her to get the lead with speed inside and outside. The closer we like to hit the board today is Midtown Miss, who comes out of 3 consecutive second place finishes, after losing by 5 lengths twice in a row to Aclassysassylassy. SELECTIONS #1. Snug Harbour #3. Midtown Miss WIN 6.40 3.40 3.00 #4. Mertie M SHOW 3.40 My Kip (12-1) survived the pace duel with Snug Harbour (4-1), grabbing the lead at the top of the stretch after battling through fractions of 21.76 & 45.99. Our favored closer, Midtown Miss (2-1), emerged 5-wide as the field straightened for the drive, and came home the winner in an impressive time of 1:05.57, finishing 2 1/2 lengths up on My Kip. Mertie M (9-2) served notice that she can win at this level, hanging in for the show prize. The exacta paid $79.40 and the trifecta returned $303.40. December 16, 2004. Some New York bred juveniles who have raced on the edges of the stakes races this fall for state breds drop back into allowance company looking for a win against easier rivals. Likely pacesetter, breaking from the inside, is Rob's Boy Mat, who finished fourth in the $125k Great White Way here in November. Richard Ciardullo took over the training after the stakes try and watched him handle maidens in the slop 3 weeks later. The Ormsby colt is well placed here and will be helped by gaining early control of the rail. Schiloh came out of a 4 month layoff to try some tough cookies in the $82k Huntington stakes, beating only one horse. A significant improvement in speed would be necessary for this one to make any serious impact today. Trainer Carlos Martin has taken over the conditioning for Finger Lakes shipper, I Love Vegas, a Personal Flag colt who has flashed speed. Radical Banker, who started his career at Delaware Park with a victory over $40k maiden claimers, then was close in an open stakes for 2 year olds at Pimlico, makes his first start for new trainer, Scott Lake. The Banker's Gold colt is the main threat here from off the pace. No Allegiance gets blinkers and shows a work from the gate after three starts in which trouble out of the gate has hindered his chances. Storm N Lightning didn't like the slop in his first try against winners. Jockey Rafael Bejarano jumps ship and trainer Todd Pletcher has replaced him with low percentage winner, Ariel Smith. Outside horse, Distinctive Trick, finished evenly in the $125k Great White Way, getting to within 4 lengths of winner, Summerland. The Distinctive Pro colt then fell flat in the Damon Runyon tuneup, an allowance race under these conditions. It seems, this one hasn't moved forward at all off a fine maiden win at Belmont Park in September, and the post position won't help today. Sunshine Numbers is in tough entered after a win in his debut at Finger Lakes. After three straight routes (including the $100k Sleepy Hollow), Precision Perfect will appreciate the cut back in distance and could get the perfect trip from Bejarano, tucked in along the rail behind the front runners. One colt worth watching closely is Qualified Opinion, who closed in the mud for a win in his debut last month. Sean Bridgmohan keeps the mount for trainer Richard Violette, who has had great success with runners in their second start. SELECTIONS #8. Radical Banker #4. Precision Perfect #1. Rob's Boy Mat PLACE 9.80 5.70 #6. Qualified Opinion WIN 12.80 7.90 4.80 Richard Violette improved his record with 2nd out starters and Qualified Opinion (5-1) remains unbeaten after putting forth an impressive rally, sweeping past most of the field to catch pacesetter, Rob's Boy Mat (11-1), at the wire, winning in 1:11.52, taking 2 seconds off his winning time here in mid November. Distinctive Pro (6-1) picked up the show prize for the third straight race, just holding off Schiloh (28-1). The exacta paid $136.00 and the trifecta returned $614.00. Congratulations! December 15, 2004. Lightly raced 3 year old filly, Lunar Pie, exits her maiden win over $25k claimers to face a half dozen fillies who have all lost at least once at this "non-winner of two races" condition. Trainer Mike McDonald has brought this daughter of Migrating Moon along slowly and her progress has been steady leading to a dominating victory here 4 weeks ago at 6 furlongs. Stretching out won't be a big challenge to her as she's already raced at a flat mile over this surface. This isn't a tough spot to face winners and we expect her to hit the board. Luckyanunoit was dropped from the maiden allowance ranks to face $16k claimers for a win at 7 panels 2 months ago then gave it up late facing a couple of these in her first race against winners. After starting the season at Tampa Bay Downs, the Enrique Alonso trainee has shown gradual improvement at Calder, although stamina seems to be lacking in routes. Flan for You couldn't finish the job in her last, with a $16k price tag, racing out of a 3 month layoff. The Formal Dinner filly has hit the board in her last 3 starts on the dirt and is the only horse in the field with a win at the distance. Ringaroundarosie has finished second in 9 of her 24 career starts, warranting usage on gimmicks. She has a habit of losing a lot of ground late and didn't ever get close in her last at this level, when she went off as even money favorite. Dr. Caton filly, I'm All Gussied Up, looked good in September beating maiden allowance company at 9 furlongs, but her form immediately went south and she hasn't shown anything in her last two outings. Another who hasn't been able to duplicate her winning form is Jean de Actress, who has looked nothing short of awful every time she has tried this distance. J's Jule, a Jules filly, raced only once as a 3 year old and her win this year as a 4 year old came in a syrupy slow heat against $25k claimers. The Kathleen O'Connell trainee has the pedigree to put this bunch away easily, but she was beaten 7 1/4 & 3 1/2 lengths by Flan for You and Luckyanunoit, respectively. SELECTIONS #4. Flan for You #6. Luckyanunoit #1. Lunar Pie SHOW 3.40 Soft fractions allowed Jean de Actress (40-1) to stay close to the pace, surviving the stretch run and holding the place to create a big exotics payout. After 7 second place finishes, Ringaroundarosie (9-5) finally beat winners, finishing between horses to beat the longshot by a neck in a leisurely 1:50.31. Lunar Pie (7-2) fought hard on the inside for the lead but couldn't hold late and had to settle for the show prize. The exacta paid $98.80 and the trifecta returned $367.60. December 12, 2004. A large field of New York bred juveniles vies for the $75k purse in today's feature race at Aqueduct. Summerland, the runner-up in the $125k Great White Way stakes early last month over the main track, stretches out from 6 furlongs after winning for fun over an entry level allowance field two weeks ago. The Western Expression colt, trained by Richard Violette, has the speed to control the pace but could be running against his breeding. Inside horse, Cherokee Chief, has faltered when unable to get the lead and will be in tough early again today. Our choice for the win is War Chant progeny, Up Like Thunder, who was more than impressive in his 7 panel victory in the $109k B F Bongard at Belmont in early October. The Nick Zito trainee gets hot jockey, Rafael Bejarano, for the ride. Bejarano was the leading jockey on the Kentucky circuit this summer and he continues his hot hand atop the jockey standings in New York. Big Apple Daddy looked good at Finger Lakes in the late summer, finishing second in the $112k Aspirant and the $217k New York Breeders' Futurity. He had trouble at the start of the B F Bongard and couldn't hold on at Aqueduct when he stretched out to a mile. With Mike Luzzi aboard, there is value here. Sideways Glance, one of four Western Expression colts in this field, tries to make the jump from a one turn maiden win. Freddy the Cap was beaten 3 3/4 lengths by Carminooch in his debut and 4 3/4 lengths by Up Like Thunder in the Bongard. This overachiever, purchased at auction for only $8.5k in April, has the look of an underlay in this company. Getting the half in 47.6 seconds won't have Western Galaxy close enough today. Sort It Out, one of only two horses in the field with experience at two turns, doesn't appear to have the speed to keep up. Everythings Groovy, entrymate to Sideways Glance, has been beaten by a number of these. Starting from the outside post, Lycense to Win would need a huge improvement to get to the winner's circle this afternoon. Naughty New Yorker will take some action based on his 10 1/4 length victory last out over state bred maidens at a flat mile but he was only able to get within 7 1/2 lengths of Galloping Grocer in the $100k Sleepy Hollow. Dead closers don't offer great value at 2 years of age. Aaron Gryder has been doing everything right at this meet and he gets the mount aboard Carminooch, who is capable of hitting the board at a very nice price. SELECTIONS #8. Up Like Thunder #6. Summerland SHOW 3.70 #10. Carminooch #7. Big Apple Daddy Naughty New Yorker (7-2) might have earned a rematch with Galloping Grocer by taking a giant step forward today, circling a tough field and prevailing by 8 1/2 lengths in a time of 1:44.48. Summerland (7-2) wasn't able to navigate two turns and faded to third after setting the moderate pace. He was passed in the stretch by longshot, Sort It Out (66-1), who paid $50.00 to place. The exacta paid $323.00 and the trifecta returned $1,660.00. December 11, 2004. An accomplished field of sprinters vies for $75k in purse money on the inner track at Aqueduct in today's feature race. Two extremely quick fillies, Forest Music and Cologny, will be out of the gate early, battling for control of the rail. A 3 year old daughter of the excellent stallion, Unbridled's Song, Forest Music made a big splash as a juvenile when she demolished a field of maidens, then was sent by trainer Mark Shuman straight to the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita, where she took some action, going off at 7-1 odds. She set the early pace, but was through by the half mile. Her sophomore season has been solid, if unspectacular, with a win in the Grade 3 Miss Preakness in May and a couple of third place finishes in the Grade 1 Prioress and Grade 1 Test in New York, finishing behind Society Selection, Friendly Michelle, Bending Strings and Feline Story. Racing third off the bench and exiting a solid win at The Meadowlands, in which she turned the tables on Feline Story, we like the speedy 3 year old to be right there at the end. Cologny has earnings of over $278k this season alone, racing primarily in minor stakes races such as this after fulfilling her allowance conditions in the spring. The only time this Scott Lake trainee missed the board this year was a fourth place finish in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss, when she stumbled out of the gate and was rushed up against some tough fillies and mares. Travelator finished ninth in this race last season and her form has taken a noticeable dip for the worse after rattling off 4 strong performances in mid-summer which netted her stakes wins Finger Lakes and Monmouth Park. She makes her first start for trainer Gary Gullo after having been trained by Stanley Hough. Lightly raced 4 year old filly, Sensibly Chic, had been racing on the fringes of this class most of the year. Then, after a couple of disappointing graded stakes tries in the fall, she rebounded with her best career performance at Pimlico 3 weeks ago. The Distorted Humor filly has raced well over the winter track here, closing well in an allowance race in the mud in January. For value, we have to use her in the gimmicks. Two-time graded stakes winner, Ebony Breeze, makes her first start over this surface, and the closer might find the turns a little tight for her liking. She often encounters trouble out of the gate and, while she probably has the best back class in this group, we sense trouble for this Bill Mott trainee today. Distinctive Kitten has yet to clear the N2X condition, but does own a win over this track. Mariakel will likely leave herself too much to do late over a track that favors front speed. SELECTIONS #2. Forest Music SHOW 4.00 #4. Cologny #5. Sensibly Chic PLACE 5.50 4.20 With Ebony Breeze scratched, the public dumped buckets of money on Cologny, driving her price down to 6-5 at post time, forgetting that she still had to get by freaky fast Forest Music (5-2), who maintained her lead through lightning fractions of 21.74 & 44.45 in the mud. Cologny was through in the stretch and Forest Music was well clear until Sensibly Chic (3-1) found another gear and Travelator (8-1) appeared on the outside. Travelator got to the wire in 1:10.64, a head up on Sensibly Chic and it was a neck back to Forest Music. The exacta paid $67.50 and the trifecta returned $277.00. December 10, 2004. Eight sophomore fillies, all unraced as juveniles, compete at a flat mile in a maiden allowance which will show off the fine pedigree of Northern Afleet, a stallion who has come to prominence as the father of Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up, Afleet Alex. In today's contest, he is represented by his daughter, Norshade, a full sister to 4 year old, Shady Woman, who finished third in last month's $200k Elmer Heubeck Distaff for Florida bred fillies and mares. Shady Woman broke her maiden at a mile over this surface in May. This Kathleen O'Connell trainee had the lead, then tired, in her turf debut after racing up close and tiring in her first try at two turns a few weeks earlier. With those two experiences behind her, we feel she is the pick to go gate to wire. Belmont shipper, Boscobelle, owned by the Melnyks, and trained by William White, showed early speed at 7 furlongs in her Calder debut. The Polish Numbers filly is expected to move forward, having been purchased at auction last year for $450k, but this spot seems tough. Wha'pa beat that one by 3 lengths two weeks ago and also needs some improvement in the stamina department to get to the winner's circle. Like Norshade, Run for the Win moves from turf to dirt and will be a major threat in the stretch. Artic Kiss, starting from the outside post, tries to make the class jump from a third place finish against $40k maioden claimers at The Meadowlands. Trainer, Stanley Ersoff, has been campaigning Russian Note exclusively at two turns and, mostly on the lawn. Her experience at 9 furlongs will help in the late going. Brought along early in the season in Texas by trainer Bret Calhoun, Certitude has not adapted well to Florida racing and would benefit from a drop in class. Clever Note has lost considerable ground late in every start in her career. Usual rider, Leroy Nelson, no longer gets the 5lb apprentice allowance and this Notebook filly needs all the help she can get. SELECTIONS #2. Norshade #5. Run for the Win SHOW 4.00 #6. Russian Note Run for the Win (6-1) inherited the lead, setting a sluggish half mile fraction of 48.60 and was clear coming out of the turn, only to be caught by Clever Note (7-2), who had run a stalking trip then pulled away in the stretch to win by 5 3/4 lengths in 1:42.47. Artic Kiss (9-2) closed the place prize and Run for the Win settled for third. The exacta paid $59.20 and the trifecta returned $323.40. December 9, 2004. This field of Louisiana bred juveniles doesn't offer much early speed, leaving inside colt, Prince T., in his second career start, as the horse to catch. Trainer Andrew Leggio Jr has already earned over $75k at this meet, with 6 of his 7 starters having hit the board. In his debut, he encountered traffic but was still guided to a game third place finish by jockey Corey Lanerie. With leading jockey, Robby Albarado, up, Isle of Silver will take a lot of money at the wickets, but starting from the outside in an 11 horse field compromises his trip, particularly after he broke slowly in his debut, was rushed up, and ran out of gas in the stretch. Also out of that race, Elegant Legacy is of more interest to us as he looks like a more patient character who raced to his ability and was beaten by a better horse. Peetiethepieman switches from turf to dirt after failing to beat too many horses at Evangeline Downs and Louisiana Downs. Trainer Delmar Caldwell thought enough of My Pocket to enter him in the $75k Lafayette stakes out of his debut. It didn't go well but the colt has had some success against state breds. Jacobs Spirit and Lester's Halo are two first-time starters in a race where the nod will probably go to a slightly more experienced runner. Conquistador Cielo colt, De Gus, was the trailer in the race in which Elegant Legacy got the place prize. With that debut run under his belt and a more reasonable pace scenario today, it's possible this one could be a bomb in the exotics. Harlem Wolf ships from a disastrous first start at Delta Downs. Lee's Say So shortens from a mile at Delta Downs and, despite a strong late kick, may find there isn't enough real estate for him today. Another who will be heard from late is Rohan, who also needs to improve to be considered with these. SELECTIONS #1. Prince T. PLACE 2.40 2.40 #7. Elegant Legacy #3. My Pocket #4. De Gus This affair turned into a two horse contest, due to the perfect trip Isle of Silver (2-1) got under Albarado, stalking first-time starter, Jacobs Spirit (15-1), until mid stretch, then pouring it on to win by a neck over our top choice and bettors' favorite, Prince T. (6-5), who had to dodge the pacesetter in the stretch and, ultimately, came up short. The chalky exacta paid only $15.00 but, with Jacobs Spirit holding third, the trifecta returned a handsome $111.20. December 8, 2004. It looked as though Legacy's Honor would turn into a solid middle distance racer based on a strong spring, during which he was claimed by trainer Steve Standridge for $50k out of the Tim Hills stable. But, Standridge tried to convert the gelded son of Double Honor into a router and, subsequently, a distinct lack of stamina was revealed. Gary Boulanger, in second place in the jockey standings, is back again for the ride and, with a clean break, could be aboard the horse to catch in the stretch. Outside horse, V P Broadway, has been beaten by a few of these and moves up in class after a gate to wire win over non-winners of two at this distance. The disappointing Quaker Ridge gelding, purchased for $60k at auction as a yearling, will have to improve his speed to seriously compete today. The likely favorite is ultra-consistent Marine Matt, a sophomore colt from the exemplary 2001 crop of Indian Charlie, who posted 3 straight victories under similar conditions before being beaten by a neck in his last after a poor start. Making his first start for trainer Henry Collazo, he carries 7 pounds more than he has been, losing bug Luis Medina in favor of Abdiel Toribio. Lightly raced, Black Glitter, is another who has not yet shown the speed to win at this level. Eibar Coa retains the mount and they break from the inside post. After bouncing around the allowance ranks all summer, R Maestro finally lived up to his pedigree a month ago with a spectacular 7 panel sprint, winning by a clear 3 1/4 length margin over Savannah's Son, who just missed on Sunday at the same level. The Montbrook colt might get a fair price, based on his even performance against N1X competition 11 days ago. Hedonism makes his first start for trainer Dan Hurtak, who claimed him for just $10k out of a win over non-winners of 2 at 6 furlongs last week. Wheeling him right back is a good sign, but he will need to improve. The only 4 year old in the field, Uruguayan bred Pugliese, has yet to race back to the form he showed in his North American debut in midsummer, finishing second to Black Mambo at the N2X level. His dropoff has been dramatic and just a little saddening. SELECTIONS #4. R Maestro PLACE 3.00 3.00 #2. Marine Matt #5. Legacy's Honor WIN 12.80 4.80 4.60 Boulanger got Legacy's Honor (5-1) quickly out of the gate, established the early pace and rediscovered the form that garnered an allowance victory here at 6 1/2 furlongs in the spring, setting brisk fractions of 22.39 & 45.28 and completing 6 furlongs in 1:10.97. Our top choice, R Maestro (2-1), tried the winner along the inside through the stretch but came up a neck short. Outside horse, V P Broadway (13-1), ran evenly to complete the trifecta, which returned $226.00. The exacta paid $45.20. December 5, 2004. A couple of 5 year old geldings with only 2 career wins take on a half dozen sophomores at 5 1/2 furlongs to begin the late double at Calder today. Kipper Kelly colt, Harpoon, has won at this condition before but will get stuck outside faster horses today, including, He's My Man, the most lightly raced 3 year old in the field. Shipping south from New Jersey, the West Acre colt has prevailed in 4 of his 6 starts this year and attracts Robbie Alvarado for the ride. Three years ago, Dr. Greeley was so highly regarded that he was entered in the Grade 2 Hutcheson, an early Gulfstream Park prep for the Florida Derby. This past summer he returned after 2 1/2 years on the sidelines and has shown virtually none of his early promise. Trainer Larry Pilotti removes the hood and enlists Jorge Chavez to get a leg up. More likely to produce an "off the pace" challenge to He's My Man is Savannah's Son, a winner of three straight here in the late summer. We like this Hunting Hard colt, but he's been racing at longer distances lately and may not have the explosive quickness to overcome the expected hot pace. New Jersey Phil has been leaving himself with far too much to do in the stretch. However, if the track comes up wet, we'd have to upgrade his chances for the top spot. Tiki Tiki has flashed brilliance occasionally over the course of a mediocre sophomore season. We would demand an awfully good price before we would consider using him on top. Workhorse, Emilin, a gelded three year old son of Scatmandu has already raced 20 times this season with only 2 wins and $25k in earnings. He didn't look bad in his first race back in south Florida after spending the summer in Illinois and moves up in class today. The closer we will be using underneath is Mr. Rajiv, starting from the outside post. The other 5 year old in the field has 4 second place finishes this season and fits at this level. SELECTIONS #6. He's My Man #3. Savannah's Son PLACE 2.80 2.40 #8. Mr. Rajiv After the start, Savannah's Son (1-1) was bumped, had to check and lost some valuable ground which couldn't be made up in the stretch when he made a futile bid to catch frontrunner, Harpoon (8-1), who held on for the win by a head in 1:06.25. Savannah's Son did manage to nip Emilin (15-1) for the place prize. The exacta paid $61.60 and the trifecta returned $331.80. December 4, 2004. Two $100k events for juveniles are the prelude to today's feature at Calder, the Grade 3 Tropical Turf Handicap. The 2 year old colts race 1 1/16 miles in the What A Pleasure and this isn't as a straightforward as it appears to be. Lismore is a talented gelding from the Saint Ballado line who enters here out of his maiden win, first off the bench, at 7 furlongs over a wet/fast track. Gary Boulanger retains the mount for trainer Ralph Ziadie, who has been hot and they get awarded low weight, due to the lack of a route on his resume. His 10 3/4 length victory here a month ago has us believing he can get a slice. Another making his first attempt at two turns, starting from the outside post, is G.P.'s Black Knight, who beat open stakes company here in late October before being clobbered by Flamenco in the $150k Jack Price Juvenile 3 weeks ago. Better Than Bonds, also a grandson of Saint Ballado, was no match for Rockport Harbor in the Grade 3 Remsen at Aqueduct a month ago, but, right now, there are few 2 year olds who can keep up with that one. This Florida bred was within a length of Flamenco in the $79k Cowdin stakes at Belmont and the distance is clearly not a problem. This is our win choice. Trainer Milton Wolfson moves Cherokee Chase from the turf, but the winner of the $50k Seacliff stakes at a mile here in September will find the early going tough to handle. Inside colt, Safely Run, put up some decent numbers in his recent maiden win at Pimlico and that performance could translate into an on the board finish for the shipper trained by Jerrell Roadcap. We suspect D'court's Speed will get the moniker of "underlay of the day". The Doneraile Court colt will be heavily backed based on his close second in the $100k Foolish Pleasure and the presence of John Velasquez in the irons. The William White trainee just hasn't exhibited the kind of speed to dominate today. SELECTIONS #3. Better Than Bonds WIN 4.40 4.40 3.40 #4. Lismore SCRATCHED #1. Safely Run With Lismore out, a void was left on the front end and Safely Run (7-2) ended up the lone pace horse, rating through ridiculously sluggish fractions of 24.19 & 49.53, before being collared on the turn by longshot, G P's Black Knight (18-1), who was picked up in the stretch by a charging Better Than Bonds (6-5), who pulled away for a less than impressive 3/4 length victory in a time of 1:48.90. Another longshot, Cherokee Chase (24-1), held on for show and, as we expected, D'court's Speed finished a dull fifth at 7-5 odds, making him "underlay of the day". With the win, Better Than Bonds exceeded the $100k mark in earnings. The exacta paid $60.60 and the trifecta returned $461.80. Congratulations! December 3, 2004. A field comprised primarily of 3 year old non-winners of three races who have arrived from several tracks to winter of New Orleans will be chasing sophomore gelding, Storm Sizzle, a Steve Asmussen trainee who had a rough summer in New York getting beaten by tough claimers at Saratoga, trying the turf at Belmont and falling apart against his peers at Aqueduct. The Storm Boot progeny finished just 3/4 length behind Nightlifeatbigblue over this track last December and should be tough on the drop today. His main rival will be Wild Jim, racing first off the claim for Lynn Whiting, who claimed him for $25k out of the Asmussen stable. The Wild Wonder colt posted a win and a runner-up finish at the fall Keeneland meet and retains excellent apprentice rider, Brian Hernandez Jr, who broke his Fair Grounds slump with three wins yesterday. Likely to garner a lot of attention at the betting windows, Prairie Slam makes his first start in over a year for trainer Wayne Catalano. The Grand Slam colt, purchased for $180k at auction by Frank Calabrese as a 2 year old, made his debut here and, based on his form of last fall at Arlington, would be the choice to win, but we'll have to bet against him due to the lengthy layoff. Knightsnsilverarmor was developing nicely through the spring in Kentucky, culminating in an impressive gate to wire victory at Ellis Park at this level in late July. Since returning from a 3 month rest, however, he hasn't looked like the same horse, tossing in a couple of duds at Churchill Downs. The outside post won't help. Prince of a Deal has struggled lately at Evangeline Downs and Delta Downs against Louisiana breds. Worth watching for a price, Fire Strike has hit the board a couple of times here and occasionally puts forward an impressive late drive. Reconnection won a couple of sprints at Louisiana Downs in the summer against inferior talent and has been routing and racing on turf lately. This doesn't seem to be the right spot. Another 3 year old shortening up is Latest Edition, who found some success in Texas but faces a tough crew for his Fair Grounds debut. Both of Mr. Excavate's wins have come at two turns against state-breds. Dead closer, Private Harbor, now trained by Tom Amoss, has been travelling all over the mid-west with only a win at a mile at Arlington Park to show for it. The Washington state native seems to fit at this level and there is some pace to run at. Still, we'll hesitate to use him on top. SELECTIONS #4. Wild Jim PLACE 3.40 3.00 #8. Storm Sizzle SCRATCHED #3. Prairie Slam WIN 7.40 4.00 3.00 #9. Fire Strike Prince of a Deal (23-1) was allowed to set a moderate pace, with our top choice, Wild Jim (5-2) in close pursuit. Brian Hernandez got Wild Jim to the lead at the top of the stretch but was corralled by Prairie Slam (6-5), who raced back to his sophomore form, winning easily in 1:10.57, a length and a quarter ahead of Wild Jim. Subsequently, the winner was claimed by Michael Gill for a fraction of his auction price and will be trained by Gamaliel Vasquez. Prince of a Deal held on for the show. The exacta paid $19.60 and the trifecta returned $117.40. December 2, 2004. A half dozen fillies nearing the end of their sophomore season take on three veteran non-winners of three at two turns in a contest which will feature a good duel on the front end and a few strong closers to make things interesting late. Leading Florida apprentice rider, Luis Medina, makes his third start aboard Maddashfordinner, a go for broke, need the lead type of 3 year old. Trained by Laura Posada, the Formal Dinner filly has 3 wins at a mile over this track this season but there is considerable early speed on show today. Unreal Fantasy, a 5 year old with 30 races under her saddle, gets stretched out after another disappointing showing at 7 panels 3 weeks ago. At a price, we will use her underneath based on her relative experience, the reappearance of Manuel Aguilar in the irons, and a late kick which will stand her in good stead at the distance. Comical Judith was dropped from the allowance ranks at Tampa Downs in the spring and has repeatedly failed against much worse than this crew. Wild Wonder filly, F. J. Girl, will be hard pressed to duplicate her victory here a month ago when she was able to control the pace, getting 6 furlongs in dawdling 1:19. Our choice to catch this suspect field asleep at the wheel is 4 year old Sky Classic filly, Classic Born, who was racing in the Kentucky circuit in the spring before being shipped to Delaware where she broke her maiden against $35k claimers under the tutelage of Barclay Tagg. After a disastrous 9 furlong turf try, new trainer, Sandra Slivka, was able to slip her under the radar with a $5k price tag to regain her confidence against conditioned claimers. New jockey, Sebastian Madrid, is having a successful meet despite not getting a lot of mounts. It looks like the pace will be a little too hot for Velvetry, who was able to open up a 7 length lead here in July but who will probably be chasing all the way today. One of the closers we like is likely favorite, Vantage Star, a Dan Hurtak trainee racing second off the claim and drawing top rider, Eddie Castro. Silver Ghost filly, Summer Tone, came out of nowhere to post a big win here a week and a half ago over non-winners of two races. While we expect a bounce, we do note that she put together a couple of solid races in the spring and will reluctantly use her underneath. Entered out of a 6 week layoff, Cryptosummer has proven to be a very undependable commodity and we will avoid her. SELECTIONS #8. Classic Born PLACE 4.00 2.60 #2. Vantage Star WIN 3.20 2.60 2.20 #5. Unreal Fantasy #1. Summer Tone SHOW 2.40 Our top choice, Classic Born (5-1), made her move on the far turn to take over the lead from the tiring front runners but was no match for favorite, Vantage Star (3-5), who sped by on the rail to beat Classic Born by 3 3/4 lengths in a time of 1:49.72. Summer Tone (5-1) was up for third and Unreal Fantasy (9-2) completed the superfecta, meaning our four choices paid out $73.00. The chalky exacta paid $11.00 and the trifecta returned $29.20. Congratulations! December 1, 2004. Racing switches to the winterized inner dirt track at Aqueduct and the feature is a 2nd level allowance contest with a fiel of seven fillies going 1 1/6 miles around two turns. Four speedy fillies will be contending for the early lead including inside horse, Leedle Dee, who just missed at this level in the mud at the Meadowlands in mid-October. This New York bred 3 year old, trained by Robert Barbara, has been competitive in allowance races and minor stakes under restricted conditions but has struggled in open company. John Velasquez is back in the irons. Trainer Mark Fusco had a great Monmouth Park meet this summer and one of his many smart moves was claiming Thong when she was dropped down from allowance company and made available for $20k in mid-August. Despite being a daughter of Tale of the Cat, she is not a sprinter. Her best races have come at the middle distances and, after a couple of disastrous six furlong tries in New Jersey, Fusco gambled and shipped her to Philadelphia for a conditioned claiming event at a flat mile. She responded well to the extra distance and Fusco was rewarded with an entry level allowance victory 3 weeks ago at the Meadowlands. The pace scenario doesn't set up well for her today but we'll be watching closely for the future. One filly likely to take a lot of money at the cashier windows is lightly raced 3 year old, Our Rite of Spring, who exploded onto the scene during the Belmont Park fall meet. The Stravinsky filly, trained by James Jerkens, lost a tough speed duel to Secret Forest then returned 16 days later to cruise home at even money for her maiden victory. A great try at 1 mile on the turf was followed by a 12 3/4 length victory in the slop here just a few weeks ago. She won't be able to break free early as she has in the past, but we expect her to be competitive late. One to use underneath is After the Tone, a Mark Hennig trainee who has picked up the place prize in all three of her races over the inner track. Pulpit filly, Provincial, unraced as a 3 year old, has earned over $76k as a 4 year old under the guidance of Shug McGaughey and enter this after defeating After the Tone by 5 lengths at 9 furlongs in October. Old Mother Goose is a specialist at the distance but has a habit of finishing third and is making a bit of a class jump from the New Jersey allowance scene. Our choice for the win is Holy Bull filly, Tuesday Prayer, making the move to dirt racing after 5 straight turf races. Rafael Bejarano, recently relocated to New York, takes the mount for trainer Frank Labocetta Jr, aboard this filly who has been a very tough nut since the Saratoga meet, racing against much better than this bunch, including a close third in a restricted stakes at mile on the lawn here 3 weeks ago. SELECTIONS #6. Tuesday Prayer #2. Provincial #5. After the Tone #3. Our Rite of Spring Racing at Aqueduct was cancelled due to high winds.