SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
MARCH 27, 2013
by John Mucciolo
A pair of graded runs topped the weekend of racing at “The Great Race Place.”
Santa Ana S. (G2): Pamela Ziebarth’s homebred TIZ FLIRTATIOUS (Tizbud)
got the jump turning for home and wore down the field with a one-length score
under Julien Leparoux. The superb Cal-bred finished off 1 1/8 miles on the firm
lawn in a solid 1:46 3/5 for conditioner Marty Jones.
Tokyo City Cup (G3): Westrock Stables LLC’s SKY KINGDOM (Empire Maker)
took the lead approaching the turn for home and powered clear to a decisive 3
3/4-length tally under Martin Garcia. The four-year-old colt traveled 1 1/2
miles on the fast main oval in 2:30 2/5 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Track Stats
From a total of 34 races held at the Arcadia, California, racetrack during
the past week, favorites won at a 23 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 56 percent of the wins. From 21 frays contested on the dirt
oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (29 percent), while three of the
13 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (23 percent).
No runners went wire-to-wire on Thursday or Sunday, but six got the job done
in that fashion from 10 races over Friday and Saturday. We did witness four or
five horses going last to first on the main oval, which is not the most common
site here at this meeting.
Of the trio of turf wire jobs, two came in sprint races while the other came
going long.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 478 | |
| DIRT: | 331 | |
| TURF: | 147 | |
| FAVORITES: | 157 (33 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 105 (22 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 32 (22 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 83 (25 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (3/21)
4TH — SWEET RED CAT (Bluegrass Cat) returns to this list following a big
runner-up showing with open allowance foes. The John Sadler charge is in fine
form and is proven on the main oval and turf, giving her options going forward.
6TH — We’re not sure what RED MAN RUN (Redattore) beat in this field, but
the gelded four-year-old was awesome in this one for trainer Roger Stein,
powering home to an emphatic 5 3/4-length score. The California-bred dispatched
open foes and looms large if properly placed in this one.
7TH — AMERICAN BLEND (Quiet American) had a dream set up in this race but
still looked good in the lane for conditioner Carla Gaines, dominating this
field under little late urging under Rafael Bejarano. The five-year-old has come
back with a pair of big ones off the shelf and could have a nice year with
continued progression.
Friday (3/22)
2ND — BLUESKIESNRAINBOWS (English Channel) finally broke through after a
pair of close ones since joining the barn of Jerry Hollendorfer and the
four-year-old should be stakes bound in his next engagement. We’ve long admired
the Grade 2 winner.
Saturday (3/23)
2ND — We tabbed CAYTON (Tribal Rule) in this one and the Neil French trainee
ran a big second at a decent price, and has now put in a pair of fine efforts in
succession. The sophomore filly ran well with elders on this day and has a lot
of room for improvement — she could be a nice one.
5TH — MASTER APPEAL (Successful Appeal) chased the odds-on winner throughout
but stayed on to be a clear second under the wire for conditioner James Cassidy.
The precocious sort has run very big in both lifetime tries and shouldn’t be a
maiden for long. Expect him to try the lawn soon.
6TH — CHARM CATCHER (Duke of Marmalade) didn’t have any tempo to run into
down the stretch but still offered a little run to just miss third, and the
filly just might need a race with a contested pace to get her to the winner’s
circle.
7TH — We’re not sure what woke up the Craig Dollase-trained OILISBLACKGOLD
(Tapit) as of late, but the six-year-old gelding has been sharp in his last pair
and we’ll ride him until he proves us wrong.
Sunday (3/24)
5TH — APPEALING (Bertolini) ran a strong third in her U. S. debut and the
Paddy Gallagher charge should surely improve next time in just her second U. S.
affair.
A Look Ahead
There are no graded races during the Holiday weekend at Santa Anita.