SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 15, 2011
by John Mucciolo
A trio of Grade 2 tests led the way last weekend at The Great Race Place.
Robert B Lewis S. (G2): A D K Racing’s ANTHONY’S CROSS (Indian
Charlie) put away the 1-5 favorite approaching the final turn and gamely got the
best of a stretch duel to bag his first stakes win for conditioner Eoin Harty.
The three-year-old colt won by a nose while getting 1 1/8 miles in 1:48 3/5
under Joel Rosario.
La Canada S. (G2): Arnold Zetcher’s homebred ALWAYS A PRINCESS (Leroidesanimaux
[Brz]) took control soon after the start and spurted clear in mid-stretch to
post her second straight convincing graded win for trainer Bob Baffert. The
budding star endured nine panels on the main oval in 1:48 1/5 under the guidance
of Martin Garcia.
Santa Maria S. (G2): Jay Em Ess Stable’s VISION IN GOLD (Medaglia
d’Oro) made the front soon after the start and outdueled a pair of quality mares
en route to a neck win in this affair with Rosario. The rising star went 1 1/16
miles on the fast main oval in a sharp 1:41 3/5 for conditioner Ron Ellis.
Track Stats
From a total of 35 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during
the four-day race week, favorites won at a 31 percent clip and the top two
betting choices combined for 49 percent of the wins. From 23 frays contested on
the dirt oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (26 percent), while one
of the 12 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (8 percent).
The main strip was a bit inconsistent last week in our estimation. Thursday
saw no wire-to-wire winners and four of the six first-place finishers broke from
post 7 or wider. Speed was better over the next few days, especially on Saturday
when the track played fast.
Also, only four horses won from wide posts from the ensuing 18 dirt races as
inside horses prospered more.
The turf course has produced a single wire-to-wire winner over the past two
weeks, and many came from well out of it over the last four days.
Meet Totals
RACES:
276
DIRT:
196
TURF:
80
FAVORITES:
98 (35 percent)
2ND CHOICES: 52 (19
percent)
TURF WIRE:
17 (21 percent)
DIRT WIRE:
56 (29 percent)
Main Track Post Positions (wins)
RAIL: 22
1-3:
91
4-6:
73
7-out:
32
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (2/10)
3RD — CRY HALLELUJAH (Street Cry [Ire]) showed nice improvement while closer
to the pace in here to win like a good thing for Kathy Walsh. The four-year-old
filly should be live in her debut versus winners next out.
Friday (2/11)
1ST — RANDOM LUCK (Mt. Bellewood) put in a good effort at first asking for a
trainer not known for his prowess with debuters, finishing second on this day.
The sophomore filly will be worth a long look in her subsequent showing.
3RD — LUNCH TIME DIVA (Salt Lake) returned to sprinting and got the job done
in her grass debut for trainer David Hofmans in this one. The three-year-old
lass beat a few interesting ones in here and could turn out to be a useful turf
performer in time.
7TH — BENCH POINTS (Benchmark) came off the shelf in fine fashion, rolling
past a trio of dueling leaders en route to a 1 1/2-length tally for trainer Tim
Yakteen. The dual stakes-winning sophomore is now unbeaten in four tries and
should be taken seriously against open company.
Saturday (2/12)
3RD — CHICO D’ORO (Medaglia d’Oro) chased a well-meant winner for the
duration of this dash and couldn’t have run much better at first asking for John
Sadler. The sophomore ridgling will likely be odds-on in his next maiden try,
and could evolve into a stakes performer as this season progresses.
8TH — Grade 1 queen ST TRINIANS (GB) (Piccolo) proved that she can handle
the dirt and looked like a horse that needed a race when a close third in this
one. She’s not the same as she was when racing on synthetic ovals, but she still
possesses a ton of quality and should be a big factor in this division all
campaign.
Sunday (2/13)
1ST — The A C Avila-trained SUBPOENA THE DRESS (Johannesburg) was tons the
best in here and should be a big factor next out with a likely class rise on the
way. The bay mare stopped the teletimer in a snappy 1:09 1/5 for six panels.
2ND — KILOGRAEME (Graeme Hall) gamely ran down a 2-5 favorite in the lane to
remain perfect from two starts for Mike Mitchell. The Florida-bred sophomore
miss has the pedigree to sprint but looks like she can handle even a bit more
distance after showing her best late in both career starts.
6TH — SMART SPENDING (Smarty Jones) made a nice first try since joining the
Carla Gaines barn, overcoming being blocked for much of the stretch to get up
late under Garrett Gomez. The expensive four-year-old gelding has won both
sprint tries and could move up in a big way next out, especially with a clean
trip.
A Look Ahead
A handful of graded races are on tap for the holiday weekend. The Saturday
features are the $150,000 San Carlos S. (G2) and $150,000 San Luis Obispo S.
(G2), Sunday showcases sophomore prospects in the $150,000 San Vicente S. (G2),
while Monday hosts the $150,000 Buena Vista H. (G2) and $100,000 La Habra S.
(G3).