SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
JANUARY 9, 2009
by John Mucciolo
A trio of graded events headlined the second week at Santa Anita.
San Gorgonio H. (G2): Brian Kahn et al’s TIZIFZ (Tiznow) responded to
a stiff test in the lane to post a courageous, nose victory in here for trainer
Rafael Deleon. Claimed three races prior, the five-year-old mare notched her
second consecutive stakes score while completing nine furlongs on the firm turf
in 1:49 3/5.
Monrovia H. (G3): Juddmonte Farms’ homebred JIBBOOM (Mizzen Mast) was
trapped behind horses for much of the stretch but found room in time to secure a
half-length tally in here for Bobby Frankel. The five-year-old gray was guided
home by Garret Gomez and finished off about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill in 1:13
1/5.
El Conejo H. (G3): Waterford Stable’s IN SUMMATION (Put It Back) took
advantage of a strong early tempo to inch clear late in defending his title for
trainer Christophe Clement. The six-year-old scooted 5 1/2 panels on the
Pro-Ride oval in a snappy 1:02 2/5 beneath Rafael Bejarano.
Track Stats
From a total of 44 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the week,
favorites won at a 39 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for
59 percent of the wins. From 32 frays contested on the Pro-Ride oval, eight
animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (25 percent), while four of the 12 grassy
tussles went all the way on the lead (33 percent).
Speed on the main surface was better during the early portion of the week
than the latter part, where just one winner led at every call from the 12
Pro-Ride events over the weekend.
The best we can see on the main oval is that it is good to save ground if
possible. Horses traveling wide throughout seem to be a bit punchless late over
this tiring surface. And if a horse fans out too wide at the top of the lane,
they have little chance of winning unless they are yards the best.
We suggest that if you see the names Julio Canani, Richard Mandella, Bobby
Frankel or Carla Gaines, take a long and hard look at the horse they entered —
each conditioner seems to be going very good right now. From a jockeys
standpoint, you simply can’t afford to leave Gomez off your tickets.
Meet Totals
RACES: 80
PRO-RIDE: 60
TURF: 20
FAVORITES: 32 (40 percent)
2ND CHOICES: 17 (21 percent)
TURF WIRE: 6 (30 percent)
PRO-RIDE WIRE: 15 (25 percent)
Post Positions (wins):
RAIL: 8
1-3: 39
4-6: 22
7-out: 19
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (12/31)
1ST — LOWTHER STREET (Street Cry [Ire]) put in a much improved effort while
rating off the pace in here, finishing five lengths clear of third for
conditioner Eoin Harty. While we don’t think highly of this field, we feel that
this one just needs a better setup to graduate.
7TH — HIGH RESOLVE (Put it Back) got the best of Dearest Trickski (Proudest
Romeo) early and finished with good energy in a fine runner-up showing for
conditioner Greg Gilchrist. The talented filly could have a big year sprinting
on the West Coast.
Thursday (1/1)
3RD — MACHISMO (Trippi) set a fast pace and showed another gear in the
stretch while recording a strong second-place effort in his debut for trainer
John Sadler. The Florida shipper faced three of the better sprinters in
California and held up well, suggesting that he should find the winner’s circle
against this type before long.
7TH — Horses don’t often win grass sprints by more than five lengths at
Santa Anita like DREAM NOW (Medaglia d’Oro) did, so this one is surely a
talented sophomore that bears watching.
8TH — We tabbed BOOTED (A.P. Indy) for his impressive maiden win a few weeks
back, but we didn’t expect such a powerful performance from the colt in his
two-turn debut for Richard Mandella. The four-year-old still has a ways to go,
but he’s returned like a big horse since the lengthy break.
Friday (1/2)
2ND — SHAFTED (Mineshaft) served notice that he will be one to watch along
the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail out west with a powerful performance in here for
Mark Casse. The Woodbine shipper crushed a consistent, but not overly talented
field, and got his final five-sixteenths in a sizzling :29 3/5. He’s bred to
run, too.
5TH — ALL MAN (Petionville) is another ultra-consistent, mid- to high-level
claimer in the Canani barn that has a knack for the winner’s circle. The gelded
six-year-old had to work hard in here, but proved that he is a solid bet when
properly placed.
6TH — WINE ON THE PORCH (Royal Academy) returned from a long absence to post
a solid score at seven-eighths on this occasion under Bejarano, and the
four-year-old could have a real solid season with steady improvement. He’s bred
to handle grass as well as synthetic, and he should be effective with a little
more ground as well.
Saturday (1/3)
3RD — GOTMYMOJOWORKIN (Gimmeawink) repelled a few bids in here for John
Sadler in a smart winning debut, and the sophomore could have more in store
later down the road. The professional debuter could win right back if he’s not
thrown to the wolves.
PAUPER’S PRIZE (Repent) made a visually impressive run approaching the final
turn and into the stretch for Cerin, suggesting he won’t be a maiden for long.
The colt is bred to handle a route of ground and may be a better long-term
project than the colt that topped him.
4TH — MR GRUFF (Mr. Greeley) annihilated what looked like a good group on
paper for Ron Ellis, drawing off to a commanding 4 1/4-length score under Joel
Rosario. The lightly raced five-year-old, if he can stay on the track, is
obviously capable of good things.
Sunday (1/5)
5TH — THRONE OF POWER (Pulpit) rallied like a good thing behind a moderate
pace in a fine U.S. debut for Patrick Biancone. The four-year-old colt flew home
in :29 3/5 for his final five-sixteenths.
A Look Ahead
Just two graded events will take place in the upcoming week at “The Great
Race Place” — the $150,000 San Pasqual H. (G2) on Saturday and Sunday’s
$100,000 Santa Ysabel S. (G3) for sophomore fillies.