SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
JANUARY 14, 2010
by John Mucciolo
A pair of graded events took place during the past week at Santa Anita.
San Pasqual H. (G2): Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Moss’ homebred NEKO BAY (Giant’s Causeway) dominated this
field late, pulling clear to win by an easy 1 3/4 lengths for conditioner John
Shirreffs. The lightly raced seven-year-old stopped the teletimer in 1:42 4/5
under the guidance of Mike Smith.
Santa Ysabel S. (G3): Michael Talla’s CRISP (El Corredor) made the difficult jump from maiden to
stakes in classy fashion with a one-length win in this affair under Joel
Rosario. The sophomore miss finished off 1 1/16 miles in 1:43 2/5 for trainer
John Sadler.
Track Stats
From a total of 42 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during the five-day
week, favorites won at a 24 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 55 percent of the wins. From 31 frays contested on the Pro-Ride
oval, four animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (13 percent), while four of the
11 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (36 percent).
The turf was kind to speed types this past week, especially in down the hill
turf events where three winners led at every call. While closers also accounted
for wins on this green during the week, we’re not used to seeing the grassy
sprints won by pacesetters.
As we’ve stated previously, leading at every call on the main oval is very
difficult, and the numbers support it. The track has been fairly consistent in
that regard since its inception, though. We did notice many horses pressing the
early pace coming out victorious, leading us to believe that being a couple of
lanes away from the rail is the ideal spot.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 113 | |
| PRO-RIDE: | 82 | |
| TURF: | 31 | |
| FAVORITES: | 37 (33 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 24 (21 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 8 (26 percent) | |
| PRO-RIDE WIRE: | 11 (13 percent) |
Post Positions (wins):
| RAIL: | 15 | |
| 1-3: | 40 | |
| 4-6: | 46 | |
| 7-out: | 27 |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (1/6)
7TH — It’s been a while since BOURBON BAY (Sligo Bay [Ire])
visited the winners’ circle, but we’re glad to see the Neil Drysdale charge
looking like his old self somewhat. We’re not confident that the four-year-old
beat much here, but this could be the confidence boost that the gelding needed.
Thursday (1/7)
3RD — SLEEP TIGHT (Exchange Rate) was a strong second in this field and
deserves a long look in her return for Mike Mitchell.
4TH — TOP FEELING (Explicit) was well clear in second on this day, and the
four-year-old colt will be very tough if he comes anything close to this
runner-up performance next out.
7TH — VIA VENETO (Orientate) tracked and ran down a John Sadler charge of whom we
think fondly, and the once-promising filly could be returning
to her best form over this ground. The four-year-old ran her final two panels in
a brisk :23 2/5 and could be stakes bound in the near future.
Friday (1/8)
2ND — CANDY ARCHES (Candy Ride [Arg]) could turn out to be a useful claim for
Doug O’Neill after setting the pace in this route event. A cutback in trip and
sitting off the early tempo could work wonders for the gelding.
6TH — PATRIOTIC SOLDIER (One Man Army) made a successful return to
the races since being shelved since Del Mar, rallying on the outside to prevail
beneath Mike Smith. The California-bred gelding has good tactical speed and a
nice turn of foot, leading us to believe that he should have a productive 2010.
Saturday (1/9)
6TH — ST TRINIANS (GB) (Piccolo) is an absolute monster and has every
right to be included among the top distaffers on the West Coast following her
third straight demolition for trainer Mike Mitchell. She finished off her final
five-sixteenths in a sparkling :29 2/5 with little urging and has yet to be
challenged stateside.
Sunday (1/10)
1ST — PINK BLOSSOM (Proud Citizen) is bred to handle a route of ground and
should handle virtually any surface, so we’ll keep a close eye on the intriguing
Bruce Headley-trained prospect as the year unfolds. We liked how the filly
handled the rail at first asking and repelled a challenge late.
A Look Ahead
A trio of stakes events will be held on Saturday, comprising the $150,000 San
Fernando S. (G2), $150,000 Santa Ynez S. (G2) and the $100,000 San Rafael S.
(G3). Sunday will play host to the $150,000 El Encino S. (G2) while the $150,000 San
Marcos S. (G2) is carded for Monday.