Thru The Binoculars

By: JOHN PIESEN

Borrowing Base Wins Ladies Handicap
from dailyracingnews.com

NEW YORK (AP) -Borrowing Base survived a claim of foul Sunday to win the 137th and final running of the $82,100 Ladies Handicap at Aqueduct.

The New York Racing Association dropped the 1 1/4 miles stakes for fillies and mares from the 2009 schedule.

The final chapter in the race's history ended in controversy. Winston Thompson, the rider on runner-up Nijinsky Bullet, lodged a foul claim for a bumping incident in midstretch. The stewards let the result stand, following a video review of the stretch run.

That decision gave the 5-year-old her first stakes victory. Javier Castellano was aboard for trainer Patrick Quick as Borrowing Base was clocked in 2:07.30 on the fast track. She earned $49,260 for Daddie's Girl's Stable, paying $18.40, $8 and $4.20. Nijinsky Bullet returned $16.20 and $6.30. Julie B paid $4.20 to show.

Rap Tale was fourth followed by Laguna Plateada, Runway Rosie and Sweet Goodbye.

Sunday was the final day of live racing before Aqueduct's holiday break. Racing resumes Dec. 26.

On the New York worktab
from brisnet.com

Over the fast Belmont Park training oval on Sunday, Tom Fool H. (G2) winner LUCKY ISLAND (Arg) (Lucky Roberto) sped four panels in :48 4/5 for Kiaran McLaughlin. The four-year-old has not raced since a sixth-place showing in the Vosburgh S. (G1), but might reappear in the December 27 Gravesend H. (G3).

Recent Pass the Tab S. winner NATIONAL PRIDE (Macho Uno) breezed the same trip in :49 4/5.

Whirlaway S. victor BARRIER REEF (Mizzen Mast) drilled five-eighths in 1:01 3/5.

Blue Sparkler S. queen COLI BEAR (Formal Dinner) breezed four furlongs in :49 2/5.

ETCHED (Forestry), the 2007 Nashua S. (G3) winner who returned from a lengthy break to annex an allowance last month, stopped the timer in :48 4/5.

Grade 2 sprinter SONGSTER (Songandaprayer), who returned from a near 18-month layoff to finish a good third in a deep allowance race last out, breezed five furlongs in 1:00 1/5.

Three-time stakes star GIANT MOON (Giant's Causeway), last seen finishing eighth in the Preakness S. (G1), got a half-mile in :48 4/5 in advance of his return.

Longfellow S. hero MR. UMPHREY (Jules), second in the Skip Away H. (G3) earlier this campaign, zipped three-eighths in :36 1/5 over the fast inner dirt at Aqueduct.

Seven-time stakes winner MALIBU MOONSHINE (Malibu Moon) breezed in :52 1/5 for a half-mile.

Glory in Motion S. romper LOVE CO (Not for Love) negotiated five furlongs in 1:03 1/5.

Four-time stakes victor STUNT MAN (Western Expression) went seven panels in 1:34 1/5.