SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
APRIL 28, 2006
by Bernard T. Moore
Santa Anita wrapped up its winter/spring meet this past weekend by posting
its largest season-to-season gain in on-track attendance in 61 years. In
addition, Santa Anita also reported that daily on-track handle was up
appreciably. That, coupled with advances in its premiere racing days, made for a
successful meet.
In the Santa Barbara H. (G2) for fillies and mares on the grass at 10
furlongs Saturday, SHARP LISA (Dixieland Band) immediately seized the lead and
never relinquished the advantage, as she just held on to emerge victorious by a
desperate nose.
Making only her second start on grass, this four-year-old Kentucky-bred rated
kindly on the front end for jockey Corey Nakatani. She was skillfully nursed
along on the lead while setting a pedestrian pace and, as a result, had just
enough gas left in the tank to hold off Eternal Melody (NZ) (Shinko King), who
gave resolute chase throughout the marathon turf contest. Cissy (Arg)
(Acceptable) finished with interest to get the show by a nose over Argentina
(Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), the 3-5 favorite, who has now been compromised by
unflattering pace scenarios in both of her North American starts.
The San Simeon H. (G3), a turf contest for four-year-olds and up, saw PURE AS
GOLD (Stolen Gold) take full advantage of a perfect ground-saving trip to score
by 1 3/4 lengths.
With Pat Valenzuela in the irons, the one-time claimer stalked the early pace
along the inside before dispensing his stretch bid. He went on to seize the
lead, and then maintained a safe advantage to the finish. Saint Buddy (Saint
Ballado) split rivals while rallying in the stretch and finished second by a
neck over Siren Lure (Joyeux Danseur), the even-money favorite. We All Love
Aleyna (Nines Wild), the 7-2 second choice in the betting, raced within striking
distance from the outset, but lacked the necessary response when called upon in
the stretch.
Sunday was closing day at Santa Anita. It was déjà vu once again as T. H.
APPROVAL (With Approval) came out on top in the San Juan Capistrano Invitational
H. (G2), rallying strongly off a lively pace to win by a determined length.
Racing near the back of the pack during the early stages of the race, he
began to level off after 10 furlongs of the race had been run. With jockey Alex
Solis aboard, the pair hit the front upon reaching the furlong grounds in the
stretch, and then withstood a late rally from One Off (GB) (Barathea [Ire]). The
runner-up also found his best stride in the lane, outfinishing Quinquin the King
(Fr) (Take Risks) for the place by 1 3/4 lengths.
Pat Valenzuela closed with a flourish during the last week of the meet to
take down the riding title. Victor Espinoza finished second, with Garrett Gomez
rounding out the top three.
Doug O’Neill led all trainers, with Bob Baffert a distant second in the
standings. Bobby Frankel finished third.
The main track was slightly biased toward early speed over the weekend. The lone turf bias occurred on Friday when off-the-pace runners fared best in
sprints. There was no path bias on the main track this week.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (4/19)
2ND – ANOTHER BOB (Memo [Chi]) was hard-used setting a fast and pestered pace
in his turf debut, and understandably tired in the stretch. Would benefit from a
class drop in subsequent starts on either turf or dirt.
4TH – RED OPAL (Ire) (Flying Spur) finished with good energy to get fourth
reverting to rating tactics in an improved showing. Appears poised to get back
on the winning track and has run well over the Hollywood Park lawn against
tougher in the past.
Thursday (4/20)
2ND – RHYTHM KING (Dixieland Band) found 10 furlongs a bit beyond his scope,
weakening as the race quickened late. Appears better suited to a flat mile and
softer competition.
5TH – SEA HARBOR (Slewpy) closed gamely between runners to just miss while
dropping down to the $50K claiming level. Can expect further progress after
switching to the high profile Jeff Mullins barn off the claim. Can handle
turf/dirt and maybe a route of ground as well.
Friday (4/21)
4TH – ZAPPA (Afternoon Deelites) showed a dramatic reversal in form while
returning to a sprint. In first start for a selling price, he finished with good
energy to claim the place while clearly second best. Will be transferred from a
low percentage barn to a high profile outfit in his next start, and ultimately
may be at his best around two turns.
Saturday (4/22)
5TH – Argentina was hindered by an extremely pedestrian early pace in a
marathon turf route. Was forced to rally into a :22.74 final quarter-mile and
finished with interest late. Needs only a livelier pace scenario to register her
first U.S. win.
7TH – Siren Lure turned in a good effort returning from a two-month
freshening. Might have been a tad short as he was outfinished for the place
while chasing home a ground-saving winner. He’s a stakes winner over the sod at
Hollywood Park.
Sunday (4/23)
10TH – GHURRA (War Chant) offered an even effort while racing a bit wide off
a prolonged layoff in her SoCal debut. Trainer Ben Cecil likes to give these
types of runners an “education race” prior to tightening the screws. Vast
improvement in second U.S. start with Lasix expected, especially if stretched
out to a route of ground.