SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
NOVEMBER 2, 2006
by John Mucciolo
Closing week of the rich Oak Tree meet was headlined by California Cup Day on
Saturday, a series of 11 stakes events for the Golden State-breds. Also during
the week was a pair of graded stakes races that were contested over the lawn.
Las Palmas H. (G2): Aberguan Farm’s BEAUTYANDTHEBEAST (GB) (Machiavellian) rallied boldly in the
stretch and had enough to hold off the on-coming Clinet (Ire) (Docksider) to
take this competitive feature. Chalk up another win for trainer/jockey combo
Neil Drysdale and Corey Nakatani in a graded grass feature, as the duo has
continued their meet-long success with another score. The winner quickened
noticeably in the lane and got the mile in a swift 1:33 1/5.
Morvich H. (G3): Deron Pearson and trainer James Cassidy’s MOTH BALL (GB) (Royal Applause
[GB]) prevailed in here to the dismay of the betting public at odds of 33-1.
Piloted by Mike Baze, the gelded four-year-old ran by pacesetter Apalachee Tiger
(Tiger Ridge) late to earn his first graded win, finishing the about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill in a sharp 1:11 3/5.
California Cup Recap: We won’t have the time to dissect every race from Cal Cup Day, so our
congratulations go out to the connections behind all of the following winners: TEXCESS (In Excess [Ire]), ROMANCE IS DIANE (In Excess [Ire]), RIVER’S PRAYER
(Devon Lane), EPIC POWER (Epic Honor), FREESGOOD (Free House), DA STOOPS
(Distorted Humor), SPECIAL HEATHER (Truckee), SOMETHINABOUTLAURA (Dance Floor),
PHAR TO WIN (Avenue of Flags) and WIND WATER (Bold Badgett).
TRACK STATS
From a total of 45 races held over the Santa Anita racetrack, favorites won
at a 38 percent clip, and the top two betting choices combined for 46 percent of
the wins in closing week, par for the course for the entire meet. From 28 frays
contested on the main oval, just 21 percent of all winners won in wire-to-wire
fashion, while 24 percent of the 17 grassy tussles were taken all the way on the
lead.
Sunday was most helpful for horses coming from off the pace on the main
oval, as all six dirt contests were taken by late runners, while Wednesday was
“chalk” day, registering four favorites from eight contests (50 percent).
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (10/25)
8TH — KEY LIME PIE (Bright Launch) broke through with her initial win in
style, drawing off to a 9 1/2-length score for trainer Chuck Peery. The
three-year-old miss was never asked for her best and should be plenty fit for
her return versus winners.
Thursday (10/26)
4TH — GAME CAT (Gibson County) was just that in a tenacious debut win for
Laura Wohlers. The juvenile miss dueled through heated splits and fought off a
pair of challengers late, earning a respectable 81 BRIS Speed number for her
effort. A more sensible trip could yield a similar fate next out.
Friday (10/27)
4TH — NEIMAN THE SAINT (Western Fame) dueled through wicked early splits and
cam up just a nose shy of the win at the wire. The sophomore colt earned a year
best 89 BRIS Speed number for his run, and was claimed out of the race by
trainer Scott Craigmyle.
Saturday (10/28)
7TH — PIRATE’S DEPUTY (Bertrando) was last after six furlong, but closed
quite well in the stretch to finish a clear second in this one. The Emerald State
shipper could be expected to improve since switching to the Bob Baffert barn.
10TH — The underrated RIVER’S PRAYER (Devon Lane) did the unexpected in
here, topping the sensational Cambiocorsa (Avenue of Flags) at her own game.
Breaking sharply beneath Clinton Potts for trainer Paula Capestro, the miss was
never seriously threatened in finishing off the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:12 1/5. With
Cozzene as the broodmare sire, the three-year-old should continue to relish the
green.
Sunday (10/29)
6TH — Bruce Headley’s OVERLY TEMPTING (In Excess [Ire]) registered a huge
debut, pulling away to a 7 1/4-length win under Alex Solis. The Cal-bred facing
open company got seven-eighths in a superb 1:22 3/5 and is likely headed for big
things. The filly earned a whopping 97 BRIS Speed number for her smart tally.