In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, New York Governor David Paterson announced that the Aqueduct Entertainment Group would not be licensed to operate a casino at the Long Island racing facility. The statement read, "The Division of the Lottery has concluded that it cannot issue a gaming license to Aqueduct Entertainment Group (AEG). Therefore, the State has officially withdrawn its support for AEG to develop and operate a video lottery terminal (VLT) facility at Aqueduct Race Track. The Executive Branch advocates that the selection of the Aqueduct VLT franchisee be done pursuant to an expedited, transparent, apolitical and publicly accountable procurement process."

4th-GPX, $35,000, Msw, 4yo/up, 1m, 1:37 1/5, ft.
UNITED STATES (c, 4, A.P. Indy--Blithe, by Unbridled) closed well to be third--beaten only 1 1/2 lengths--in his career bow going a furlong shorter over this track Feb. 13 and was installed the 3-5 choice to get the job done this time. Settled in tracking second through opening splits of :24.03 and :46.71, the $2,000,000 KEESEP yearling held a slight advantage after three quarters in 1:11.49 and was in splendid isolation late, cruising home an easy nine-length winner over Jadal (A.P. Indy). Click for the brisnet.com chart or Video, sponsored by Taylor Made. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $24,500. 
O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier. B-Sha-li Leasing Association Inc (KY). T-Todd A Pletcher.

1st-SAX, $45,800, Msw, 3yo, f, 1m (AWT), 1:37, ft.
   VISION IN GOLD (f, 3, Medaglia d'Oro--Corporate Vision {GSP}, by Corporate Report) got off to a slow start in her career bow going 6 1/2 panels over this track Feb. 21, but managed a respectable fifth-place finish. Backed down to 3-5 favoritism to make amends this time, the dark bay was content to stalk the early pace through splits of :23.19, :46.69 and 1:11.72. Up to take control turning for home, Vision in Gold opened a comfotable advantage midstretch and had enough left to hold off Rajadesanimaux (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) by 1 1/4 lengths at the wire. The $360,000 KEESEP yearling is a half to Media Play (Alphabet Soup), SW, $144,772; and National Pride (Macho Uno), SW, $166,777. Click for the brisnet.com chart or Video, sponsored by Taylor Made. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $27,880.
   O-Jay Em Ess Stable. B-Liberation Farm & Brandywine Farm (KY). T-Ronald W Ellis.

4th-AQU, $40,000, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 1m70y, 1:46 1/5, ft.
CAST CALL (f, 3, A.P. Indy--Shadow Cast {GISW, $923,751}, by Smart Strike), a $1-million KEESEP yearling, broke in the air when unveiled by trainer Eoin Harty at Saratoga Sept. 3 before going on to finish fourth in that 5 1/2-furlong affair. The bay filly broke poorly once more in a seven-furlong Polytrack maiden at Keeneland and never got untracked, checking in a distant 10th behind Connie and Michael (Roman Ruler), and was turned over to Kiaran McLaughlin. Sent off as the 2-1 second choice while stretching out and facing her elders here, Cast Call shadowed No Goal from the start. She took the lead in the lane and looked as though she might hang a bit as challenges mounted from both sides, but dug in to graduate by 3/4 of a length over 3-5 Jazzy Moves (Monarchos). Shadow Cast, whose Storm Cat colt RNA'd for $350,000 at Keeneland in September, produced a Bernardini colt in 2009 and was bred back to A.P. Indy. Click for the brisnet.com chart. Video, sponsored by Taylor Made. Lifetime Record: 3-1-0-0, $26,893. 
O-Darley Stable. B-Farish & Farish TGP (KY). T-Kiaran P McLaughlin.