The major stakes racing in New York comes to a seasonal end today with the last grade I stakes of 2010. This will also begin the "winter hiatus" of my thoroughbred racing column; AT THE POST for two months until the three year old action begins at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park around the beginning of February. So, for the final column of ATP in 2010 it will be selections for today's graded stakes at Aqueduct that wrap up the last big weekend of thoroughbred action.
There are four stakes today which included the last of the two year old races that are stretching out both males and females toward next season. Also there is two route races for our older horses which wrap up the last major races run on Aqueduct's main track before the transition to the "Inner-track" begins on December 1st. I guess this weekend is like a seasonal closing for both major racing with NYRA and myself talking about for a few months.
The stakes action begins in the 6th with the two year old fillies racing in Demoiselle Stakes (gr.II) going a mile in an eighth. The Rick Dutrow runner (#5) Believe in A.P. gets the call here. She closed well in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies race for fourth at 16-1. I pegged her as my "longshot" play in that race and if she had captured the show money, I would have cashed the triple. For 2nd, I'm going with the longer price of Dutrow brothers horses, the Tony Dutrow trained; (#4) Light Your World. At 12-1 on the morning line, this filly has won two straight route races at Delaware Park and is the value in this short six horse field.
Two year old colts are featured next in the 7th race - the Remsen Stakes going the same route distance as the girls. Here, I'm going against the 6/5 morning line favorite; To Honor and Serve with the (#4) Bandbox. This NY bred stumbled at the start in his last race, the Sleepy Hollow Stakes going seven furlongs and recovered with a wide sweeping victory as the favorite. Today he tries a route distance and has plenty of speed in front of him to set up his close nicely. I'll use the favorite (#5) To Honor and Serve for 2nd off his wire-to-wire Nashua Stakes victory going a mile.
The Gazelle Stakes (8th) is next for the three year old fillies going the route distance. The race used to be part the Belmont Fall meet schedule, but now has found this late season spot. I'm going with the shipper and outside horse here (#8) No Such Word. In this wide open event, she has been a gem of consistency all this season with victories at four different tracks. Her last victory in the Remington Park Oaks was a commanding one and gets my slight edge here. For 2nd, the Kiaran McLaughlin trained; Dubai Dancer (#5) comes in to this contest with a three race win streak and is lightly raced. Both Quiet Temper (#3) and longshot - Joanie's Catch (#6) must be used in your exotic plays.
The 8th race and final grade I race in N.Y. for 2010 is the Hill 'N' Dale Cigar Mile. A nice field of seven runners are assembled (with an entry) and this year's edition is evenly matched with some very familiar names. My top selection here and lukewarm choice is the horse who finished 2nd in the race last year; (#3) Bribon. Exclusively sprinting his last four starts, today he races at his favorite distance and should be primed for a top effort. For 2nd, I'll be giving my old friend (#7) Musket Man one last shot. He's been very disappointing since his only victory this year when he returned to the races at Tampa Bay Downs in February. For exotic plays, I'll include; the Godolphin entry (#1) Girolamo and Vineyard Haven with (#5) Jersey Town underneath.
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