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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK JANUARY 12, 2006 by Bernard T. Moore ITTY BITTY PRETTY (El Corredor), who was risked for a claiming tag in her first career start, will probably not be entered for a selling price again following her decisive six-length victory in last Saturday's Santa Ysabel S. (G3). Attempting a route of ground for the first time for trainer Doug O'Neill, she was able to sit a perfect stalking trip down the backstretch. She then proceeded to slice her way between rivals to seize the lead leaving the far turn and then added to her advantage in the stretch, drawing clear to a daylight victory. Sabatini (Five Star Day), the 2-5 favorite, closed to get second after tracking the pedestrian pace, with Horse B With You (Slewdledo) finishing third. HIGH LIMIT (Maria's Mon), who was one of the leading runners on the Triple Crown trail in 2005, finally got back on the winning track by annexing the San Pasqual S. (G2) on the same card at Santa Anita. Ridden for the first time by jockey Patrick Valenzuela, High Limit set a pressured pace while racing toward the inside part of the track down the backstretch. With Buckland Manor (Bien Bien) as his constant companion, the pair were virtually inseparable most of the way. Although the Bobby Frankel-trained High Limit gained a one-length advantage in midstretch, Buckland Manor was far from being finished, as he came again in deep stretch to just miss attaining the victory by a nose in a race which neither runner deserved to lose. Spellbinder (Tale of the Cat) sat a good trip off the dueling leaders, and continued to reduce his deficit in the stretch. Bully Hayes (Sultry Song), the 3-1 second choice in the wagering, raced lethargically early on and was never a serious threat. Eleven runners faced the starter in the grassy San Gorgonio H. (G2) on Sunday. The race featured a three-ply entry from the Bobby Frankel barn which was bet down to odds-on favoritism. However, not one of those horses was able to finish on the board as form took a bit of a holiday with SILVER CUP (Ire) (Almutawakel [GB]) finishing strongly in deep stretch to post a huge upset at odds of 16-1. Trained by Patrick Biancone and ridden by jockey Victor Espinoza, Silver Cup was able to rally smartly off a lively and contentious pace as she outfinished Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) in the final yards to get the win, her first since coming to the United States from Europe last summer. Ticker Tape made the lead in the stretch after stalking the early pace, but was unable to match strides with the winner late. Royal Copenhagen (Fr) (Inchinor [GB]) rallied from off the pace as well to get third in a good effort, her first race since a winning performance last September at Arlington Park. TOO MUCH BLING (Rubiano), sitting a perfect outside trip off a lively and hotly contested pace in Sunday's San Miguel S., made his bid outside of rivals upon entering the stretch and then proceeded to draw clear from the competition to score by four widening lengths. Benefiting from some much needed class relief while re-equipped with blinkers once again in his California debut effort, the 5-2 favorite responded favorably to the rating tactics employed by jockey Garrett Gomez. When given his cue by Gomez in the stretch, he accelerated nicely, distancing himself from the field while leaving no doubt as to who was best. Cause to Believe (Maria's Mon) profited from the lively pace scenario on the front end as well, coming from last place to finish second. Bound to be M V P (Snowbound) ran extremely well to get third. He raced within shouting distance of the pacesetters throughout from an outside post and then continued on willingly in the stretch to save the show. Pat Valenzuela leads Gomez by two wins in the jockey standings, with Espinoza a distant third. Bob Baffert continues to lead all trainers, with O'Neill and Frankel in a dead-heat for second. The main track was biased toward early speed types when racing resumed on Thursday. No biases appeared to exist on Friday. Speed did well on Saturday, and the track playing uniformly on Sunday. Speed runners fared on turf on Thursday and Friday. Closers fared over the weekend. The outside paths appeared to be best on Friday. HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (1/5) 2ND – NOSSA CANCAO (Brz) (Fast Gold) finished an improved third turning back to a sprint, which suits her best. Finished with interest late over a speed-biased course. Would benefit from a class drop and a return to seven furlongs, the distance of both victories in Southern Cal. 3RD – KINGOFTHENIGHT (Brz) (Royal Academy) turned in a creditable second-place finish in his turf debut. Broke slowly and closed well to get the place behind a decisive winner. Should continue to improve with age and more distance. 8TH - ADORN (Yes It's True) exhibited surprise speed to dictate a very fast pace racing for a selling price and held reasonably well to save the show. Should have gained beneficial conditioning from this effort, but will need to be rated more prudently in the future. Friday (1/6) 4TH – CHEERILY (Danehill Dancer) offered a fine effort in her North American debut. Finished strongly off the bench despite a modest pace while chasing home a perfect stalking trip winner. Her sire was a multiple Group 1 winner sprinting in England, so could she could possibly be seen on the "downhill" turf course in the future. 5TH – BOLD MON (Maria's Mon) was clearly a tad short off the Bob Hess claim, her initial effort around two turns vs. limited winners. Moved to challenge for the lead in the stretch, but weakened under pressure. Has the appearance of a late-running sprinter. Saturday (1/7) 3RD – Sabatini continues to be ambitiously spotted off a strong maiden special weight victory. Compromised by modest fractions and a speed conducive track in her most recent effort. Needs a livelier pace scenario to be at her best. Remains eligible for a preliminary allowance contest. 4TH – SEASTATE (Stravinsky) leapt into the air at the start in her unveiling. Bred to improve with age and experience, he settled toward back of the pack prior to making a belated run in the stretch here. His full brother was victorious on turf in England. Sunday (1/8) 5TH - BELONG IN BEAUTY (Belong to Me) was clearly a tad short in her first attempt vs. winners off the shelf. Gave way badly late after chasing a very hot pace. Should have derived beneficial conditioning from this effort. 7TH – Bount to be M V P gave a very strong effort off a prolonged layoff. Held extremely well attending a very enterprising pace while making his first start in California for a new trainer. Will need time to recoup from this strenuous effort, but ran surprising well at long odds. 8TH – Ticker Tape finished a good second returning to her Santa Anita Park home base. Sat close to a fast pace prior to gaining a daylight lead in the stretch, but was unable to match strides with the winner late. Would obviously benefit from some class relief, as she has yet to defeat older rivals in graded stakes competition.
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