Bond enjoying strong Aqueduct meet

Trainer James Bond has enjoyed a fabulous Aqueduct meet thus far and said he plans to have more of a presence this winter than in past years.

Through Sunday, Bond has won with nine of 29 starters at the meet, with two seconds and four thirds. As the winter approaches, Bond will have a sizeable stable in south Florida, but does plan to leave about 20 in New York before increasing that to 30 around Feb. 1.

Bond said the decision by management to remove the inner track and race on the main track this winter played a “huge” role in his decision to keep a few more horses in New York.

“I never personally liked the inner,” Bond said. “The outer I always thought was an outstanding track. I think it’s a great option. I wish the purse structure was a little stronger. It costs me the same to take care of a horse in January as it does in August.”

Among Bond’s winners at the fall meet was Bee Noteworthy, who won a division of the New York Stallion Series by 5 1/4 lengths on Nov. 12. She will be pointed to the $100,000 La Verdad Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares Jan. 6.

“She’s amazing,” Bond said. “She throws her heart out there and chases it. She’s special. Sometimes you’ll see her on the turn and it doesn’t look like she’s going to go anywhere, then she comes with a run.”

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On Dec. 6, the Bond-trained Cerretalto won a first-level allowance race after being gelded and racing with blinkers for the first time. After winning his career debut on Dec. 10, 2016, Cerretalto went four straight races without winning.

“When a horse wins his first start or second start they usually have some kind of ability, they’re showing you some kind of talent,” Bond said. “He always showed me talent. It was a little frustrating after Saratoga. We went back to the drawing board and said we’re going to do this and do that. If you throw enough darts at the board you’re going to hit.”

Bond has two darts to throw on Wednesday in Magari, a first-time starter in a maiden $40,000 claiming race at six furlongs in race 4, and Gorelli, a 5-year-old gelding who will be racing in a $25,000 claimer that goes as race 7.

Magari is out of the dam Shock It, who has produced seven winners for Bond, including six-figure earners Brunelli, Gattinara, and Tommasi.

“She’s a good-trying filly,” Bond said. “We’ll find out where her level is on Wednesday.”

Regarding the drop in class for Gorelli, Bond said, “Hopefully it’ll build his heart up a little bit.”

While Bond personally will be heading to south Florida, his son Kevin will oversee the New York string.

“Kevin is doing a good job,” Bond said. “The only time I come to town is to screw it up.”