Aqueduct Notes

- Contessa picked up a second winner on Wednesday when Hurrah won the fifth. He claimed this grandly bred five-year old gelded son of Pulpit, out of Wild Applause, a daughter of the great Glowing Tribute who also produced Eastern Echo, Yell, and Roar, for $10,000 two races back. Less than a year ago, these same connections claimed this horse for $50,000. That's an even bigger depreciation than the Dow. As of now.

It's been a humbling last couple of months for this horse, dropping to a basement tag as he had. But he ran second in a starters allowance in his first off the claim, and today won for 18K, earning over $22,000 in total and starting a slow climb back to respectability.

Trainer Frank Alexander is on a nice streak. He took the 4th with Just a Warning, his 4th winner from his last nine starters; with two thirds, too. Like Hurrah, here's another claimer with a cool pedigree. Just a Warning is a half-brother, by Silver Deputy, to the Two-Year Old Filly-Elect Stardom Bound. Speaking of whom, do you think she would have brought quite as much money at sale if the Breeders' Cup was at Belmont next year?

Chestoria won the restricted Fairy Garden on the grass with a 9th-to-first burst in the stretch which looked as easy as any such move you could see. What made it even more amazing was that her recent form was lousy, particularly in a disappointing sixth in a state-bred stakes in her last. 12-1 in the morning line, Chestoria paid $11.20. You gotta love this game. Jade Queen was a no-excuse second as the favorite for the Toddster, 1 for 19 at the meeting thus far.