OAK TREE NOTEBOOK
OCTOBER 22, 2009
by John Mucciolo
A single graded affair took the spotlight at Oak Tree during the past
weekend.
Senator Ken Maddy H. (G3): Green Lantern Stables’ GOTTE HAVE HER (Royal Academy) ran to her second
straight graded score with a convincing two-length romp in here beneath Tyler
Baze. The talented five-year-old blitzed the about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill in
a sparkling 1:12.
Track Stats
From a total of 42 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during the week,
favorites won at a 40 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for
76 percent of the wins. From 31 frays contested on the Pro-Ride oval, six
animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (19 percent), while none of the 11 grassy
tussles went all the way on the lead.
The main oval was more kind to speed, not just from a wire-to-wire
standpoint, but also in the way where many winners were in striking position
early. It may have been coincidence, and it could have also have been the moisture
the main oval received during the week.
The turf course yielded no winners leading at every call, but you didn’t have
to be closing from left field in order to score.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 138 | |
| PRO-RIDE: | 97 | |
| TURF: | 41 | |
| FAVORITES: | 52 (38 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 32 (23 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 5 (12 percent) | |
| PRO-RIDE WIRE: | 10 (10 percent) |
Post Positions (wins):
| RAIL: | 20 | |
| 1-3: | 55 | |
| 4-6: | 45 | |
| 7-out: | 38 |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (10/14):
6TH — The Jerry Hollendorfer-trained JOSHUA’S DREAM (Johannesburg)
looked especially good in here when running past a clear leader in the lane
under Joel Rosario. The gelded four-year-old recorded a solid final
five-sixteenths in :30 3/5.
7TH — CORONET OF A BARON (Pure Prize) finally broke through with
his initial sophomore win for Eoin Harty, and we’re hoping this is the start of
a nice winter for the talented colt.
Thursday (10/15):
7TH — We’re not sure what WARREN’S APPEAL (Bartok [Ire]) crushed
in here, but the four-year-old California-bred was impressive in doing so and
concluded her final quarter-mile in a sharp :23 1/5 for Jorge Gutierrez.
Friday (10/16)
1ST — SKY MARNI (Sky Mesa) ran a big one when second to a more than logical
winner in here, finishing well clear of third for Sal Gonzalez. We like the
sophomore miss right back against similar company, possibly even on a slight
class rise.
Saturday (10/17)
4TH — ROYAL IMPORT (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) showed vast improvement in her
second start for Bob Hess Jr. and the juvenile filly should be tough in her
subsequent try.
6TH — Euro import ROSE DIAMOND (Ire) (Daylami [Ire]) stormed home
in her first U.S. outing for conditioner Patrick Biancone, and we feel that
the three-year-old filly has a very bright future in the states.
8TH — We didn’t expect any horse in this race winning for fun, so
we were very impressed by the run Gotta Have Her put forth for Jenine Sahadi.
The classy mare could be a late factor in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint versus
the boys.
Sunday (10/18)
3RD — ROYAL PUNISHER (Fusaichi Pegasus) did what he was supposed to in this
dash for David Hofmans, but the gelded sophomore is worth watching nonetheless
after finishing off his final quarter-mile in an effortless :23 3/5 under Iggy
Puglisi, while speeding six panels in 1:09 1/5.
8TH — PLAY NINE (Chapel Royal) continues to be a solid midlevel
claimer on this circuit, proving his mettle on all three synthetic ovals in
Southern California. Trainer William Morey is getting a solid performer after he
claimed this filly.
A Look Ahead
Late Pick 4 – We’ll keep an eye on this wager, as the sequence included
winners worth $19.40, $6.80, $4 and $7.60 — and paid $1,258! The parlay
equivalent was somewhere in the $450-$500 range.
The $100,000 Harold C. Ramser Sr. H. (G3) is the lone graded event this
weekend.