SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
MARCH 10, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
Santa Anita Park was one of two racetracks, the other being Gulfstream Park,
which took center stage in Thoroughbred racing this past weekend. Santa Anita
presented its annual Big ‘Cap Day racecard, with the $1 million Santa Anita
Handicap (G1) serving as the main attraction.
And, if that were not enough to entice fans to come out and enjoy a
spectacular day of racing, Saturday also marked the debut of Eclipse Award
winner DECLAN’S MOON (Malibu Moon) as a three-year-old.
The undercard at Santa Anita on Saturday was extraordinary, to say the least,
but everyone anxiously awaited the Santa Catalina S. (G2). The lure for that
particular race was of course the return of the undefeated Declan’s Moon. The
Ron Ellis trainee proved worthy of his star billing and did not disappoint his
backers, who hammered him down to 4-5 favoritism, nor the fans who came to see
him run as he triumphed over five rivals en route to a decisive two-length
victory.
Making his first start since his victory in the Hollywood Futurity (G1) last
December, Declan’s Moon was a bit eager during the early stages of the race
before settling down on the backstretch. He raced just to the outside of the
early pacesetter and would maintain that position until the stretch, when he was
asked in earnest for run by regular pilot Victor Espinoza. While the response
was not instantaneous, it did come, as Declan’s Moon kicked into overdrive in
midstretch, leaving both Going Wild (Golden Missile) and Spanish Chestnut (Horse
Chestnut [SAf]) in his wake. The runner-up, Going Wild, was game in defeat, but
simply could not match strides with the winner in the stretch. Spanish Chestnut
set an uncontested pace only to weaken under pressure in the stretch.
According to Ellis, Declan’s Moon was not fully cranked up for the Santa
Catalina. With the main objective for his prized pupil being the Kentucky Derby
(G1), this contest served its purpose, sort of a bridge race to the Santa Anita
Derby (G1) on April 9, which is also at Santa Anita. His victory on Saturday
solidified his status as the top sophomore in the country and the early Kentucky
Derby favorite.
LEROIDESANIMAUX (Brz) (Candy Stripes) once again demonstrated his affinity
for the turf at Santa Anita as he wired his field to take down the lion’s share
of the purse in the $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1). Showing a versatility
in running styles, the Bobby Frankel-trained runner set a pressured pace on the
front end over a course labeled “good” and refused to yield on the lead while
annexing back-to-back victories in Grade 1 events. Buckland Manor (Bien Bien)
closed late to take second, a length ahead of Sweet Return (GB) (Elmaamul). The
third-place finisher, Sweet Return, who was the defending champion in the
Kilroe, tried in vain to get by the winner in the stretch before eventually
giving ground grudgingly in a strong effort.
When Saint Liam (Saint Ballado) soundly defeated Roses In May (Devil His Due)
in the Donn H. (G1) at Gulfstream Park in February, many people held the opinion
that he destined to carve out a niche as one of the elite older handicap horses
in 2005. A victory in the Santa Anita H. (G1) would have gone a long way toward
accomplishing that task. However, those plans had to be put on the backburner
for now as Saint Liam failed to bring his “A game” to California, with ROCK HARD
TEN (Kris S.) continuing to make his own mark by annexing the Big ‘Cap by 1 3/4
lengths over stablemate Congrats (A.P. Indy). Both horses are trained by Richard
Mandella, who had to be ecstatic with his one-two finish in such a prestigious
race.
Rock Hard Ten, who is an imposing physical specimen, looked the part of a
winner as he settled off the early pace down the backstretch. He began to level
off nicely on the far turn for jockey Gary Stevens before pulling alongside
Grand Reward (Storm Cat), who had gained near the mile marker. Rock Hard Ten soon disposed
of that rival and finished powerfully as Congrats closed belatedly to gain the
place over Borrego (El Prado [Ire]). Saint Liam, the even-money favorite in the
field of 11 runners, was taken off the pace by jockey Edgar Prado by design,
sitting in perfect striking position throughout. However, when he was asked for
run on the far turn, he could not accelerate and faded to finish sixth.
Mandella hinted after the race that some sort of respite was in the cards for
Rock Hard Ten, but was noncommittal as to what exactly that meant. He alluded to
the fact that he wants a fresh horse for some of the bigger races down the road,
and one such race that immediately comes to mind is the Pacific Classic (G1) at
Del Mar in August.
The last stakes contest of the weekend was the La Habra S. for three-year-old
fillies going 6 1/2 furlongs on Santa Anita’s downhill course on Sunday. The
winner, SHINING ENERGY (Rahy), conditioned by Julio Canani, proved to be a
punctual favorite when she unleashed an explosive burst of late speed to collar
the pacesetters in the stretch and drew clear to win by 2 3/4 lengths. Ridden
once again by Rene Douglas Shining Energy trailed early before improving her
position after a half-mile. Despite having to maneuver around a rival who was
forced to check, Shining Energy continued her determined rally to win going
away.
Kohar (Future Storm), the second-place finisher, held well for second in her
grass debut after dictating the pace from the outset. Royal Wave (Royal Academy)
made a strong move leaving the far turn to vie for the lead, could not sustain
her rally and finished on even terms with Berbatim (Bernstein), who was
compromised a bit while racing in traffic. Revealed (Old Trieste), the 4-1
second choice in the wagering, appeared to race without incident and finished a
non-threatening seventh.
Shining Energy, a Kentucky-bred, remained unbeaten since arriving in the
United States with this victory. She gives every indication that she should be
able to stretch out to a route with success, and Canani’s prowess with turf
routers is legendary.
It’s a real horse race, forgive the pun, for leading rider honors. Tyler Baze
owns a one win advantage over Douglas, who in turn holds a single victory edge
over Pat Valenzuela. Espinoza and Jon Court are fourth and fifth, respectively.
Doug O’Neill remains far out in front in the trainer’s standings, with Jeff
Mullins 16 victories behind him in second place. Bob Baffert remains in the
third spot as Mandella, Frankel and Steve Knapp are in a three way dead-heat for
fourth.
The main track featured a blend of speed, stalkers and off the pace runners
last week. The turf course played favorably to speed most of the week, but
closers dominated on Sunday.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (3/2)
3RD – WEST COAST GEE GEE (Bertrando) was a good second despite being
ambitiously spotted off the claim. She held well disputing the early pace and
yielded late to a fresh closer.
5TH – QUATRAIN (Quiet American) returned from a layoff in this useful sprint
sharpener. She failed to sustain her rally into the stretch and finished evenly.
Both of her wins thus far have come around two turns.
7TH – DRAKE’S VICTORY (Victory Gallop) finished a strong second despite
trouble. Caught in cramped quarters attempting to rally, he finished with good
energy once clear.
Thursday (3/3)
2ND – GOLD RUCKUS (Gold Alert) put forth a much improved effort off the shelf
while returning to grass. He closed well to miss the place by less than a length
despite a rather ordinary early pace.
3RD – FAMILY GUY (Western Guy) regressed horribly off a sharp second in his
career debut, exiting an extremely quick race. He came up empty when called upon
in the stretch and deserves another chance, especially if given a brief
freshening and/or a cutback to a sprint.
Friday (3/4)
2ND – ALL THE BOYS (Foreign Survivor) was a dominant winner off the Mullins
claim. He responded favorably to rating tactics and can win right back.
4TH – LORD MACHO (Lord Carson) was hard used contesting fast fractions from
an outside post, winning the pace battle but losing the war. He’ll show
dangerous speed if able to shake loose.
Saturday (3/5)
9TH – Sweet Return was a sharp third off the layoff for McAnally. He vied for
command with the subsequent winner virtually every step of the way, giving
ground grudgingly late in a game effort.
10TH – LUNDY’S LIABILITY (Brz) (Candy Stripes) found 1 1/4 miles a bit beyond
his scope in the Santa Anita H. He loomed a dangerous presence in the stretch,
but could not kick it in when it mattered. All three main track wins have come
at nine furlongs.
Sunday (3/6)
6TH – SKIPPADOO (Montbrook) put forth a much improved effort when finally
dropped to her proper level. She finished with good energy while well clear of
the third-place finisher and can continue forward level of progression if kept
at her current class level.