SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 1, 2011
by John Mucciolo
One of the top females in training headlined the action at Santa Anita.
Santa Monica S. (G1): C R K Stable’s SWITCH (Quiet American) moved to
the front under her own power and blew past this group when given her cue by
Joel Rosario, ultimately finishing 3 1/2 lengths clear under the wire while
being geared down late. The budding superstar finished off seven-eighths on the
main oval in a swift 1:20 3/5 for John Sadler.
Sunshine Millions Distaff: Tom and Marilyn Braly’s EVENING JEWEL
(Northern Afleet) moved three wide turning for home and outfinished a pair of
stubborn foes en route to a half-length score in here under the guidance of
Victor Espinoza. The Jim Cassidy pupil stopped the teletimer in 1:42 1/5 for the
1 1/16 miles.
Sunshine Millions Turf: Blahut Racing et al’s CARACORTADO (Cat Dreams)
showed an impressive turn of foot in annexing this test for trainer/breeder Mike
Machowsky. The talented four-year-old got nine grassy panels in a strong 1:46
3/5 with Joe Talamo in the irons.
Sunshine Millions Sprint: Sanford and trainer Bill Spawr’s AMAZOMBIE
(Northern Afleet) got up late in upsetting this field under Mike Smith. The
five-year-old gelding endured six furlongs in 1:07 1/5 en route to his first
stakes win.
Track Stats
From a total of 35 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during
the four-day race week, favorites won at a 37 percent clip and the top two
betting choices combined for 60 percent of the wins. From 27 frays contested on
the dirt oval, five animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (18 percent), while four
of the eight grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (50 percent).
The main-track produced three wire-to-wire winners from six races on Sunday,
but only two others over the first three racing days last week (2-for-21). We
didn’t notice a bias, however.
Racing on the lawn appears to be pretty fair, as well, but it still doesn’t
hurt to be close early. The wire rate is high for this turf oval, but many of
those winners are very logical and left alone early. As my friend Harry said a
few years back, lone speed on the turf is more dangerous than on the main track.
Stick with conditioners Bob Baffert and Doug O’Neill until they cool down.
You can win a lot of races blindly siding with either conditioner.
Meet Totals
RACES:
207
DIRT:
151
TURF:
56
FAVORITES: 73
(35 percent)
2ND CHOICES: 38 (18 percent)
TURF WIRE: 16
(28 percent)
DIRT WIRE:
43 (28 percent)
Main Track Post Positions (wins)
RAIL: 18
1-3: 71
4-6: 59
7-out: 21
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (1/27)
2ND — AROUND THE TWIG (Bluegrass Cat) ran a heck of a race in here in his
first route try for trainer Bob Hess Jr. The second-time starter dueled to
mid-stretch with the favorite, put that one away late and was collared by a
perfect trip winner in the final yards. The colt should be a winner very soon.
4TH — MYTHICAL POWER (Congaree) looked good late in his first race since the
fall, streaking clear inside the final furlong beneath Rafael Bejarano. The
five-year-old Bob Baffert trainee will be stakes bound next time.
Friday (1/28)
1ST — REALITY RIDE (Candy Ride [Arg]) opened up a big lead, was passed, and
fought back gamely in a good try for conditioner Doug O’Neill. The gelding lost
to one who is cut out to be a nice and should be very live next out.
5TH — OUR BELLINI BIKINI (Safe in the U S A) returns to the watch list
following a strong win in this event for O’Neill. The four-year-old filly would
be dangerous with a small class rise next out as she has really taken to the
dirt.
7TH — GUMPTION (More Than Ready) endured tons of traffic in the stretch in
this event, and was unlucky not to have won this race for trainer Michael
Pender. The mare, who gave four pounds to the pair who finished in front of her,
must be respected against similar in her next voyage.
Saturday (1/29)
2ND — RUNFLATOUT (Flatter) was more than ready at first asking for John
Sadler, breaking well and pulling away late in a smart first try. The potential
stakes performer is bred to handle more ground and should be a big factor
throughout the spring with steady improvement. The colt sizzled six panels in a
rapid 1:07 3/5!
4TH — GUADALUPE LUPE (Holy Mountain) had everything his own way but still
faltered late in a disappointing loss for conditioner Gary Stute. The colt isn’t
going to face many fields this easy, so we’re not high on his chances to win
anytime soon.
Sunday (1/30)
1ST — BELLA PALOOZA (Bellamy Road) crushed this group in another sharp try
for O’Neill, her fourth win in five career tries. The sophomore filly loves the
dirt and will likely see allowance types next out, where she could be a factor
at a fair price.
3RD — MAGIC MAMA (Successful Appeal) ran a professional race to win first
out for trainer Peter Eurton, getting up late under Joel Rosario. The
three-year-old lass is kin to a Grade 3 winner and might develop into a decent
performer with experience.
4TH — GLORY PRIDE (Candy Ride [Arg]) was dead last for most of this downhill
race, but closed rapidly on the outside to be a rallying third in a good
showing. The four-year-old will be tough with a better break in her subsequent
outing.
7TH — Switch is arguably the best filly or mare in training out west and
could not have been more impressive in her last two runs on this strip. She’s
bred to run long and acts as if distance will not hamper her. The four-year-old
could turn out to be ultra-special before she’s done racing.
A Look Ahead
A big weekend of stakes action is upon us. The $250,000 Las Virgenes S. (G1)
leads the fine Saturday card, which also includes the $200,000 Strub S. (G2) and
$100,000 Thunder Road S. (G3). The Sunday feature is the $150,000 San Antonio S.
(G2).