NYRA director of racing services John Passero paid a visit to press box yesterday to clear up perceptions about condition of Aqueduct’s main track in wake of Thursday’s cancellation after two races when jockeys, calling wet surface uneven and possibly unsafe, refused to ride.
Admitting main track is unpredictable and tough to handle when hit with heavy rain because its clay base “migrates” upward to upset balance of cushion, Passero said, “I am absolutely saying that the track was OK (Thursday). It was performing like a racetrack should perform.” Passero said if track were unsafe, he would see telltale signs during morning track maintenance and never would ask jockeys to ride over surface that was unsafe.
Passero appealed to jockeys to trust him: “We have to get us all on the same page, work together, and stop doing this (canceling because of track condition).”
To replace “worn out” main track with limestone base that would handle water better would cost $5 million, Passero said (money bankrupt NYRA does not have to spend). Artificial surface (Polytrack) is not answer, he said. Not only would it cost upward of $15 million, but, as seen at Turfway Park and Woodbine, Polytrack has problems handling cold weather.
FIRST RACE – Starship Cruiser, hammered to 2-5 stretching out to mile off an eight-length, first-out score at six furlongs for Rick Dutrow, shot to lead under Ramon Dominguez, set pace under heavy pressure from Key to Susan, Mike Luzzi up. Around the turn, 5-1 Against the Grain rallied under Norberto Arroyo Jr., hooked Starship Cruiser midstretch, and those two battled through final furlong, with game but tired Starship Cruiser drifting out and brushing with Against the Grain before edging clear in final yards. Inquiry sign went up, Arroyo claimed foul. Stewards took long look and let result stand.
SEVENTH RACE – Altesse, 4-year-old A.P. Indy filly who was stakes-placed in final two starts last fall, was 3-5 making first start of year for Shug McGaughey. She stalked pace set by Peach Flambe while in hand under Dominguez, went after Peach Flambe on turn, easily cruised on by to take command, drew off through final furlong with Dominguez giving customary multiple looks back.
NINTH RACE – Florida shippers are automatic bets returning to New York in the spring. Such was the case here in off-the-turf race with Pastel Gal, wearing Funny Cide’s Sackatoga Stable silks in first dirt race after flashing late kick both starts on Gulfstream grass for Barclay Tagg. Pastel Gal stalked pace, moved in tandem with 6-5 favorite We Love Our Kids heading into the turn, easily opened daylight and ran off the TV screen down stretch to give Dominguez his fifth winner of the afternoon. It was his 14th since main track opened April 4.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 1-2-1-7-2-6
95 winners (6 of 6) each paid $1,148
1,662 consolation (5 of 6) each paid $16.40
No carryover