SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
APRIL 20, 2011
by John Mucciolo
A trio of weekend stakes closed out the superb Santa Anita Meeting.
Santa Barbara H. (G2): Spendthrift Farm’s homebred MALIBU PEIR
(Malibu Moon) got the jump turning for home and strode home a half-length
heroine in here beneath Brice Blanc. The four-year-old filly negotiated 10
grassy furlongs in 2:00 1/5 for trainer Carla Gaines.
San Juan Capistrano H. (G2): Robert and Betty Irvin’s JUNIPER PASS
(Lemon Drop Kid) streaked to his second straight stakes score with a game win in
this event for conditioner Tom Bell. The improving four-year-old colt endured 1
3/4 miles in 2:47 3/5 to get up by a head under Rafael Bejarano.
San Simeon H. (G3): Vinery Stable’s REGALLY READY (More Than Ready)
was tested for class late and passed, gamely holding on to post a nose win in
this one for Mike Smith. The talented gelding, who has won three in succession
on this turf, got the about 6 1/2 panels in a sharp 1:12 1/5 for conditioner
Steve Asmussen.
Track Stats
From a total of 36 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the four-day
race week, favorites won at a 22 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 47 percent of the wins. From 20 frays contested on the dirt oval,
five animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (16 percent), while one of the 16
grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (6 percent).
Closing week saw a lot of price horses come in as favorites struggled, but
some of that is due to the abundance of down the hill turf races that are often
wide open.
We were more than glad to see dirt put back in here, and the meeting went
well overall, with numerous standout performances. The action shifts to
Hollywood and the Cushion Track on Thursday.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 608 | |
| DIRT: | 428 | |
| TURF: | 180 | |
| FAVORITES: | 221 (36 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 125 (20 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 33 (18 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 111 (26 percent) |
Main Track Post Positions (wins):
| RAIL: | 50 | |
| 1-3: | 170 | |
| 4-6: | 177 | |
| 7-out: | 81 |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (4/14)
4TH — Old warrior GET FUNKY (Straight Man) showed he has some fight left in
him following this game score for John Sadler. The eight-year-old turf sprinter
came home quickly after contesting a strong pace and looms a big threat against
similar next out.
5TH — DEPTH (Our New Recruit) ran a winning race in this one finishing
behind only the winner while well clear of third for Sadler. The sophomore
gelding should not be a maiden for long.
7TH — PREAMBLE (Mr. Greeley) took a big step forward in here for Richard
Mandella, powering home a to solid victory while coming home in a swift :30 4/5
in this endeavor. The four-year-old colt should be stakes bound before long.
Friday (4/15)
6TH — MAYOR MARV (Distorted Humor) came off a long break to get it done at
this level, battling gamely to the wire in an impressive and gritty score. The
Bob Baffert pupil was not claimed out of this test and should only improve with
more fitness.
7TH — FIFTH AVE (GB) (Avonbridge) put in a fine display in her U.S. debut
for James Cassidy, powering home over a solid field to post a 13-1 upset under
Victor Espinoza. The bay filly could be any type.
Saturday (4/16)
1ST — MUNY (Najran) split a nice pair of turf sprinters in this one,
finishing well clear in second for Mike Mitchell. The Grade 2 winner is
returning to good form and should factor at Hollywood next time.
4TH — AMERICAN LADY (Stormy Atlantic) put in a fine showing at first call
for Baffert, leading for every step in winning at first asking under Chantal
Sutherland. The half-sister to Grade 2 star The Pamplemousse appears to have a
bright future.
ORIENTATIOUS (Orientate) ran huge while second in this one and should
graduate very soon for conditioner Mike Puype.
8TH — KAJIWARA (Grand Slam) was very game in this one late after setting
some sharp splits and should be stakes bound very soon for Asmussen.
A Look Ahead
The action shifts to Hollywood Park on Thursday.