SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 17, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
Double-barreled stakes action was the order of
the day over the weekend at Santa Anita Park, as the fairer sex took center stage on
both days.
On Saturday in the La Canada S. (G2) for
four-year-old fillies going nine furlongs, TARLOW (Stormin Fever) gained the
lead shortly after the start from her inside post under jockey Patrick
Valenzuela and never looked back, posting a decisive two-length victory
over five rivals. On paper, the 1 1/8-mile distance seemed to be a bit beyond
her scope, but Tarlow, beautifully rated on the front end by Valenzuela, was
able to stave off a belated rally from runner-up Sweet Lips (Kris S.), the
Sunshine Millions Distaff S. winner, and register her initial stakes win.
A.P.
Adventure (A.P. Indy), the 4-5 favorite in the race, settled into a good
position down the backstretch toward the inside. She comfortably tracked the
pacesetter, but lacked the necessary punch in the stretch when called upon as
she drifted out while finishing third.
Later in the day in the Las Virgenes S. (G1) for three-year-old
fillies at a mile, SHARP LISA (Dixieland Band) was
a popular winner, outgaming a stubborn Memorette (Memo [Chi]) in deep stretch to
emerge victorious by three parts of length. Trained by Doug O’Neill, the winner
hopped into the air a bit at the break, but quickly recovered to stalk the pace
carved out by Charming Colleen (Charismatic). Sharp Lisa engaged that rival in
earnest on the far turn, as Memorette was asked for a bit more run as well.
As
the field turned home, the Las Virgenes was reduced to a virtual match race as
Charming Colleen began to give way. Although Memorette was able to secure a
half-length advantage, Sharp Lisa was undeterred, as she re-rallied to draw on
even terms with the runner-up and eventually edged away slowly in the final
yards.
On Sunday, the San Vicente S. (G2) lost some of
its glitter when Roman Ruler (Fusaichi Pegasus) was scratched due to chronic
foot problems. Bob Baffert went to his bench and FUSAICHI ROCK STAR (Wild
Wonder) proved to be an able replacement for his stablemate, scoring a
wire-to-wire upset victory under jockey David Flores. A long shot in a compact
field of four runners, Fusaichi Rock Star, who had not raced since October of
last year at Belmont Park, disputed the early pace from his rail post. He was
able to withstand constant pace pressure from both Kirkendahl (Menifee) and
even-money favorite Consolidator (Storm Cat) throughout, and still had enough
gas left in the tank to fend off Don’t Get Mad (Stephen Got Even), the early
trailer who grabbed second late.
Later on the card, an extremely evenly-matched field of eight
runners gathered to contest the Santa Maria H. (G1) for older fillies and mares. Handicappers had a hard time deciding on a clear-cut favorite
and finally made Hollywood Story (Wild Rush), Star Parade (Arg) (Parade
Marshal) and Musical Chimes (In Excess [Ire]) co-favorites in the 1 1/16-mile feature.
However, none of the aforementioned runners were able to get the money as the relentless MISS LOREN (Arg) (Numerous) won by a nose in a tight photo by over an ultra-game Good
Student (Arg) (Louis Quatorze) in a thrilling stretch battle.
The winner was reserved off the early pace by jockey Jose Valdivia Jr.
down the backstretch. Good Student was the first to move as she tackled the
leader on the far turn as Miss Loren began to pick up the pace as well. The pair
were heads apart in midstretch and raced as a team to the finish, reaching the
wire on nearly even terms as Miss Loren eked out the win. Hollywood Story,
the actual favorite, was closing in along the inside in the stretch when Valenzuela was forced to steady and alter course as the leaders began
drifting toward the rail. An inquiry into the stretch run was conducted before
the stewards let the original order of finish stand and Hollywood Story was
forced to settle for third, beaten two lengths.
Rene Douglas holds a six-win lead over Tyler
Baze in the race for leading rider. Valenzuela has climbed into the top
five and now holds down the third spot as Jon Court and Victor Espinoza are
fourth and fifth, respectively.
O’Neill maintained his lead over Jeff
Mullins, with Richard Mandella a distant third. Baffert is in fourth with
John Sadler rounding out the top five.
No particular running style was advantageous on
the main track from Wednesday through Friday. Early speed dominated the Saturday
card, but it was not as pronounced on Sunday. The inside paths were definitely
the place to be on both weekend days. The turf course played uniformly all week.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (2/9)
5TH – RED OPAL (Ire) (Flying Spur) was clearly a tad
short returning from a layoff. She stalked a lightning-quick pace and finished with
interest late. Should move forward in her second start off the shelf. Both of
her U.S. wins came traveling down the hill at Santa Anita.
7TH – SILVER TRAFFIC (Carson City) held gamely
while disputing the pace throughout. He tired slowly in the stretch, yielding late to
a perfect trip odds-on winning favorite dropping from a Grade 1 event.
Thursday (2/10)
1ST – GARFIELD PARK (Falstaff) was a good second in
a well-bet/well-meant career debut from low profile connections. He made a strong
middle move to gain the lead, weakened late under pressure and should benefit
from this initial outing. Bred top and bottom for a turf route.
2ND – HEAVY TRAFFIC (Elusive Quality) was a creditable
third off a long layoff. He raced a bit wide throughout, loomed a dangerous
presence in midstretch and weakened as his rustiness began to show.
Friday (2/11)
2ND – CHARISMATIC HEART (Charismatic) displayed
a one-paced
effort in her unveiling for trainer Clifford Sise Jr. Saddled with the rail post,
she might not have cared for the extremely sloppy nature of the track. Deserves
another look on a dry track and would benefit from added distance as well.
3RD – DEVOTED LOVER (Friendly Lover) showed vast
improvement while reuniting with jockey Espinoza on the drop. He won the pace
battle but lost the war to a fresh closer. He fits well at this level and doesn’t need
to lead.
Saturday (2/12)
2ND – MAD OLYMPIAN (Olympio) was not disgraced in
making his career debut. He contested a strong pace for the class level while
racing three wide in the deeper part of the track. Bred for a sprint and to win
early in his career.
3RD – DEVIL BADGETT (Bold Badgett) failed to get
untracked off a freshening over an inside speed biased track that contained
moisture. May prefer dry dirt or turf.
Sunday (2/13)
8TH – MUSICAL CHIMES (In Excess [Ire]) failed to
sustain her bid late while racing in the deeper part of the track off a layoff.
Grade 1 turf winner may have been prepping for grass contests down the road.