OAK TREE NOTEBOOK
OCTOBER 6, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
The prestigious Oak Tree meet began last Wednesday at Santa Anita Park, and
it promises to be another great season of racing. Six graded stakes events were
contested during opening weekend for West Coast-based Breeders’ Cup hopefuls as
they received their final tune-ups prior to shipping to Belmont Park for the
World Thoroughbred Championships on October 29.
California Cup Day will serve to close out the Oak Tree meet on November 6.
There will be 10 stakes events for California-bred runners, with the $250,000
California Cup Classic serving as the day’s featured event.
The opening day feature at Oak Tree last Wednesday was the Senator Ken Maddy
H. (G3) for fillies and mares sprinting about 6 1/2 furlong on the downhill turf
course. ELUSIVE DIVA (Elusive Quality) sat a perfect trip from just off the
early pace and parlayed that advantage into a decisive victory to annex the
first stakes race of the meet by three widening lengths. Chasethegold (Touch
Gold) closed well to finish second in what was easily her best effort thus far
in 2005. Abounding Truth (Proudest Romeo), a strong pace presence from the
outset, held on to finish third.
The Maddy served to whet the appetite of handicappers for the weekend stakes
events, as those contests would unquestionably be comprised of Breeders’ Cup
participants. Everyone has been eagerly awaiting the return of ROCK HARD TEN
(Kris S.) to competition, and suffice it to say it was obviously well worth the
wait.
The strapping four-year-old had not been seen under silks since his Santa
Anita H. (G1) victory in March. And he picked up exactly where he left off,
emerging with a measured win in the Goodwood Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) on Saturday.
Trained by Richard Mandella, Rock Hard Ten, with Gary Stevens up, was content to
track the pacesetting Roman Ruler (Fusaichi Pegasus) until midstretch. At that
point, Stevens asked Rock Hard Ten for a bit more run and his mount responded
willingly, edging past the front runner with only modest encouragement to win by
a length. Roman Ruler held gamely to save the place and it was another length
farther back to Choctaw Nation (Louis Quartorze), who finished with good energy
late for third.
MEGAHERTZ (GB) (Pivotal) once again demonstrated her affinity for firm turf
by closing determinedly from last place off modest fractions to win the Yellow
Ribbon S.(G1) going away by a length. The winner, ridden to perfection by jockey
Alex Solis, was allowed to relax early while trailing the field. She began to
find her best stride around the far turn as Solis looked for an unobstructed
path for the stretch run. There was an anxious moment at the top of the stretch
when it looked like the pocket-sized mare might get shut off attempting rally.
But Megahertz knifed her way between runners and leveled off nicely once in the
clear to post a decisive victory.
Flip Flop (Fr) (Zieten) raced in the second flight of runners down the
backstretch and split rivals in the lane to gain a tenuous lead. However, she
was unable to match strides with the winner and settled for the place in a sharp
effort. Halo Ola (Arg) (Southern Halo) closed from off the pace as well to get
the show.
The winners of these events are understandably being pointed to the Breeders’
Cup in New York at the end of the month. And, should they can reproduce any
semblance of these efforts at Belmont Park, both Rock Hard Ten and Megahertz
would most certainly have something to say about the outcome of their respective
races.
Also on the Saturday card was the Oak Leaf S. (G2) for two-year-old fillies
at 1 1/16 miles. DIAMOND OMI (Giant’s Causeway), the only runner in the field to
have won on dirt around two turns, drew upon that experience to outgame the
odds-on race favorite, Wild Fit (Wild Wonder) by three parts of a length.
Conditioned by Bob Baffert, the winner stalked the pace along the inside. She
began her bid in earnest around the far turn and then refused to yield the lead
in the stretch. The runner-up raced within shouting distance of the lead
throughout, but simply could not get by the winner in her first effort beyond
seven furlongs. Golden Silk (Songandaprayer) set a pestered pace and gave way
once displaced on the lead. Madre May (Old Trieste) and Indy Miss (A.P. Indy),
coupled in the wagering at odds of 5-2, barely lifted their hooves while
switching back to the main track.
Three additional Breeder’s Cup prep races were contested on Sunday, with the
Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship S.(G1) serving as the feature. Yet
another favorite was able to get the job done as FOURTY NINERS SON (Distorted
Humor) closed resolutely in the stretch to out-finish Whilly (Ire) (Sri Pekan)
by a length. The second-place finisher stalked the pace prior to seizing command
in the stretch. Despite efforts by jockey Felipe Martinez, he drifted inward
under pressure, placing another rival in tight quarters and was placed fifth as
a result of this incident.
Leprechaun Kid (Alphabet Soup) gained the lead from his rail post, dictated a
modest pace and gave ground grudgingly in deep stretch. He was placed second as
a result of the disqualification. Laura’s Lucky Boy (Theatrical) finished fourth
in an even effort and was elevated to third. Sweet Return (GB) (Elmaamul)
stalked the front runner throughout, and was forced to steady while in and among
rivals in deep stretch and was placed fourth as result of the infraction.
In the Norfolk S. (G2) for juvenile runners at 1 1/16 miles, BROTHER DEREK
(Benchmark), employing front-running tactics, led the competition on a merry
chase as he made every pole a winning one en route to a game victory. Exhibiting
new found early speed, Brother Derek rated kindly while being hounded on the
front end. He was able increase his advantage to two lengths in midstretch, and
held well late as A. P. Warrior (A.P. Indy) rallied late to take down the place.
The runner-up resorted to a change in race tactics as well, closing from off the
pace in his first effort around two turns. He was 3 1/2 lengths clear of the
show horse, Jealous Profit (Trippi), who was one-paced throughout.
The Lady’s Secret Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) generated another formful result when
HEALTHY ADDICTION (Boston Harbor) outgamed a stubborn Star Parade (Arg) (Parade
Marshall) by a half-length. The first two finishers in the Lady’s Secret showed
the way virtually the entire trip, except for when Island Fashion (Petionville)
put her head in front at the furlong marker. The winner continued on with a
purpose to eke out the victory, as Star Parade, who had dropped back a bit, dug
down deep in an effort to re-rally. Her bid fell short, but she did manage to
reclaim the place by a nose over Island Fashion.
Stalkers and closers fared best over the main track to begin the meet.
However, on Friday and throughout the weekend, early speed was preferable
sprints and routes.
Off the pace runners fared best on grass as well to begin the week on
Wednesday, but that trend all but disappeared, with the turf course playing
quite fairly over Saturday and Sunday
The outside paths were best to begin the meet to varying degrees. However,
there did not appear to be a discernible path bias over the weekend.
Garrett has a three-victory lead over Martin Pedroza in the jockey standings.
Jon Court and Alex Solis are tied for the third spot.
John Sadler has a two-win lead in the trainer standings over Bob Baffert.
Five trainers are deadlocked for third place on the list.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (9/28)
3RD – PROUD TOWER TOO (Proud Irish) finished a game second dictating a hot
pace in his Santa Anita Park debut. Was maneuvered off the dead rail and held
well to the finish to drop a neck decision.
6TH – CANDY JO (Maria’s Mon) gave way in her well bet career debut setting a
lively pace towards the deeper inside. Should have derived beneficial
conditioning and experience from this effort.
7TH – PICKLE (GB) (Piccolo) turned back to a sprint, which is a low
percentage move for Sanford Shulman, but still finished a creditable fourth.
This serves as a useful sprint sharpener and the mare finished with interest
late behind a perfect trip winning favorite. Lone win in Southern Cal. came at a
flat mile in a Grade 3 stakes.
Thursday (9/29)
5TH – SIXY SURPRISE (A.P. Indy) offered a eye-catching turnaround switching
to Santa Anita Park, her home base. Exhibited new found speed to set a pressured
pace along the deeper inside and held gamely to finish third. Obviously will
need time to recover from this effort, but still bears watching nonetheless.
7TH – ARAGORN (Ire) (Giant’s Causeway) was a creditable second in
his first U.S. start, his initial effort beyond seven furlongs. Raced evenly while
chasing a loose wire-to-wire winner who dictated a modest pace. Bred top and
bottom for a route, and might be able to handle dirt. Sire nearly won the
Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and his half-sister broke her maiden in a main track
distance event.
Friday (9/30)
1ST – SLEW OF THE NIGHT (Slewledo) finished a good fourth off the Carava
claim. Exhibited improved speed to dispute the early pace along a dull rail. Can
move forward in second start off a brief rest.
2ND – OUR FREE BEE (Free House) was a sharp second stepping up off the
layoff. Vied for the lead vs. a superior pace rival who dictated a hot pace.
Always proves difficult to run down when on the lead.
Saturday (10/1)
4TH – GOLDEN SILK (Songandaprayer) wound up a good third stepping up into a
Grade 2 stakes and stretching out to 1 1/16 miles. Held well dictating the early
fractions but could not keep pace with the top two finishers in the stretch.
Would benefit from a return to a sprint while dropping into a preliminary
Allowance contest.
5TH – Choctaw Nation finished a good third returning to his favorite track.
Compromised by a lack of pace over a track that played kindly to early speed
runners. Needs only a better setup to fire his best shot.
8TH – Flip Flop was a sharp second to the top race mare Megahertz off the
bench. Simply could not finish with that rival late. Should make her presence
felt in the handicap ranks this fall and winter if she remains healthy.
Sunday (10/2)
1ST – HE’S A ROCKET (Old Topper) gave an improved effort switching to Santa
Anita. Raced evenly chasing a fast pace over a speed conducive track. Remains
eligible to face limited winners.
6TH – PLUG ME IN (Hold for Gold) continues to race over his head competing
against winners while still a maiden. Clearly was not disgraced in a Grade 2
stakes. Vied for the lead through fast fractions and held remarkably well to
deep stretch, yielding the show late. Obviously would benefit from such much
needed class relief.