SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
JANUARY 5, 2006
by Bernard T. Moore
Racing returned to Santa Anita Park on December 26 in a big way, with 34,590
fans streaming into the track to watch a spectacular nine-race card. Opening day
at Santa Anita also marked the arrival of turf racing in Southern California
once again, with four grass contests run on the special Monday card.
Santa Anita, which traditionally begins its winter/spring meet the day after
Christmas, once again featured the Malibu S. (G1) for three-year-olds at seven
furlongs. A 14-horse field entered the starting gate, with PROUD TOWER TOO (Proud Irish), a 20-1 longshot,
re-rallying in deep stretch to earn a well-deserved victory over 5-2
favorite Attila’s Storm (Forest Wildcat). There was little to choose between
these two runners as they raced down the backstretch, with Proud Tower Too
holding a half-length advantage after a half-mile had been completed. Attila’s
Storm was content to stalk the pacesetter into the stretch, and subsequently
wrestled the lead away from the front runner with a furlong remaining.
However,
Attila’s Storm got a bit late in deep stretch, enabling the winner to comeback
and retake the lead as they completed the last furlong in 13 seconds.
Thor’s Echo (Swiss Yodeler), who raced close to the pace early on, lacked the
necessary response when called upon and settled for third.
The second Grade 1 event of the meet, the La Brea S. for three-year-old
fillies at seven furlongs, was run on Saturday. PUSSYCAT DOLL (Real
Quiet), whose dam Hookedonthefeelin won the La Brea in 1999, followed in her
mother’s hoofprints when she scored an authoritative 5 1/2-length victory.
Racing well off a dizzying early pace, the Mike Pegram homebred rallied smartly
leaving the far turn and then sustained that run in the stretch to win going
away. Leave Me Alone (Bold Badgett) raced within striking distance of the
pacesetters down the backstretch, but could not match strides with the winner
late and was clearly second best. Thrilling Victory (Event of the Year) closed
belatedly to get the show.
BADGE OF SILVER (Silver Deputy) made an effortless transition from dirt to
turf in Sunday’s San Gabriel H. (G2). As a result, he was able to score a convincing front-running victory by 2 1/2 lengths under jockey Pat Valenzuela.
Allowed to dictate a deliberate pace, Badge of Silver settled into the stretch with
a two-length advantage. He was able to maintain a comfortable lead to the wire,
despite a late rally from Atlando (Ire) (Hernando [Fr]). Toasted (Hennessy) was caught
behind runners while saving round around the far turn and finished with interest
late for third.
On Monday of the Holiday Weekend, WITH DISTINCTION (Storm Cat) kept his
perfect record over wet tracks intact with a dramatic head victory in the El Conejo H. (G3). Sent off at odds of 9-2 in an evenly matched field of
10 runners, the D. Wayne Lukas-trained five-year-old relaxed off the hot early pace
set by Slew’s Prince (Slew’s Royalty). As the front runner began to tire from his
early exploits, With Distinction began to reduce his deficit between runners
upon entering the stretch and continued to close gamely in deep stretch to eke out a head victory.
He was able to outfinish Jungle Prince (Sir Cat), who
secured a tenuous lead in deep stretch but was unable to hold off the winner.
Jet West (Western Fame) rallied strongly as well under Kent Desormeaux to be just a nose farther back in third. Despite winning a three-horse photo, With
Distinction had to survive a foul claim by Desormeaux, who was aboard the
third-place finisher. He alleged that Javier Santiago struck Jet West in the
head with his whip during the stretch run. After reviewing the videotape, the
stewards allowed the original of finish to stand.
Valenzuela and Garrett Gomez share the top spot in the jockey standing
with 10 victories each. They are followed by Victor Espinoza, Tyler Baze and
Felipe Martinez.
Bob Baffert leads Doug O’Neill by two wins in the trainer standings. Jeff
Mullins and Mike Mitchell dead-locked for third.
An intense speed bias greeted handicappers when racing resumed on Monday.
Speed continued to do well on Wednesday, with the track playing more uniformly
from that point on. The turf course played uniformly on opening day and on
Wednesday. With use, the course began to favor runners from off the pace, but it
was not extreme by any means. There did not appear to be any discernible path
biases all week.
HORSES TO WATCH
Monday (12/26)
4TH – SILK QUEEN (Touch Gold) rallied to be a creditable third in her second career start.
Finished with interest late over a speed-biased course and is bred to improve with
age, experience and distance.
8TH – Attila’s Storm wound up a heartbreaking second after shipping
in from New York. Could not close the deal after securing the lead in deep
stretch. Appears better suited to shorter sprints.
Wednesday (12/28)
5TH – ALL ABOUT LARRY (Larry the Legend) recorded a useful third-place finish to begin
his career. Closed from far back to get the show in an abbreviated sprint over a
course conducive to early speed. Should move forward off this effort as he hails
from a sire/trainer that usually do not fare well with firsters.
6TH – CAPTAIN SQUIRE (Flying Chevron) was a tough-luck second while stretching
out/switching to grass. Set a very enterprising pace, only to be outgamed by a
fresh runner late. Lone turf win came at Santa Anita at a flat mile.
Thursday (12/29)
3RD – GREAT OPINIONS (Rahy) raced lethargically off more than a two-month layoff. Finished
evenly late as the race quickened in a much needed effort. Should move forward
off this race.
4TH – GOLD BANKERS GOLD (Banker’s Gold) was a sharp second off the Peter Miller claim.
Held gamely disputing the pace against a multi-level class dropper. Fits well at
the $12.5K level.
7TH – ETERNAL MELODY (NZ) (Shinko King) turned in a fine effort returning from a long
layoff. Gained a brief lead in the stretch only to be outfinished late as her
rustiness began to show while remaining clear for the place.
Friday (12/30)
3RD – PINDARIC (Slew Gin Fizz) gave a good effort returning from a long respite.
Argued a hot and contentious pace from her outside post in a turf sprint. Both
wins thus far have come over the main track, and she might benefit from a drop
into a claimer.
6TH – LESLIE LILL (Crowning Storm) recorded a decent runner-up finish off the O’Neill claim. Attended a very fast pace and then continued on well to hold the
place off the bench. Should have derived beneficial conditioning from this
effort and might be at her best on the front end.
Saturday (12/31)
4TH – BENEFICIAL BARTOK (Bartok) ran surprisingly well switching to a wet
main track. Overcame a troubled start to finish second behind a perfect trip
pace pressing winner. Most recent wins have come on grass around two turns.
8TH – RESIDENT ALIEN (Bertrando) was ambitiously spotted off an open company, preliminary
allowance victory. Dueled into defeat contesting an excruciatingly
fast pace. Won the pace battle but lost the war, giving way badly in the
stretch. Doesn’t need to lead, but could do with a drop in class.
Sunday (1/1)
6TH – QUARTERLY REPORT (General Meeting) finished with interest for third
in a swiftly run contest making her career debut for Baffert. A full sister to
three-time Grade 2 winner Yearly Report, she will probably be at her
best over a distance ground.
8TH – Toasted offered a decent third-place finish off the layoff. Hampered
by a pedestrian pace and a lack of racing room attempting to improve his
position around the turn. His closing kick is most effective at shorter
distances.
Monday (1/2)
6TH – GLIMMERING PETE (Larry the Legend) leapt into the air at the break.
Closed well for second over a moisture laden course in a much improved effort.
Remains eligible for a Starter Allowance contest and would benefit from added
distance.