SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 23, 2011
by John Mucciolo
Trainer Bob Baffert let loose one of his top three-year-old prospects over
the weekend.
San Vicente S. (G2): Fog City Stable and George Bolton’s THE FACTOR
(War Front) made good on his 4-5 odds when wiring this field to pick up his
first stakes win for conditioner Bob Baffert. The impressive sophomore sped
seven-eighths on the wet-fast main oval in a a blazing 1:20 1/5 under Martin
Garcia.
Buena Vista H. (G2): Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss’ homebred COZY ROSIE
(Pleasantly Perfect) made her four-year-old debut a winning one in coming home a
stylish winner in this test for John Sadler. The talented Kentucky-bred endured
one mile on the good lawn in 1:35 4/5 under the guidance of Mike Smith.
San Carlos S. (G2): Klein and Lebherz’s SMILING TIGER (Hold That
Tiger) overcame a brutal start to get up late in a fine performance for trainer
Jeff Bonde. The multiple Grade 1 hero gave the field a few lengths at the start,
but it didn’t matter as he proved his class in completing seven panels in a
scorching 1:20 1/5 with Joel Rosario.
San Luis Obispo S. (G2): Diamond A Racing and Vargas’ homebred CHAMP
PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus) reeled in Bourbon Bay (Sligo Bay [Ire]) in the final
strides to eclipse this event for trainer Richard Mandella. The five-year-old
Kentucky-bred endured 1 1/2-miles over the good turf in 2:31 2/5 with Rosario in
the irons.
La Habra S. (G3): Bilich, et al’s CAMBINA (Ire) (Hawk Wing) stormed
home on the outside to get up late in taking this race for Bonde. The sophomore
filly, who was last after the opening half-mile, completed the about 6 1/2
furlongs over the good turf in 1:13 3/5 with Garrett Gomez in the irons.
Track Stats
From a total of 43 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the five-day
race week, favorites won at a 46 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 70 percent of the wins. From 36 frays contested on the dirt oval,
10 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (28 percent), while none of the seven
grassy tussles went all the way on the lead.
The main strip was speed-favoring over the latter part of the week, as this
oval tends to get when precipitation hits the ground. Even if the winners
weren’t wire jobs, it was most beneficial to be close early. Four wire-to-wire
winners came in on Sunday from nine races.
On the lawn, closers tended to have an edge on the good rated lawn. Speed was
a bit less advantageous, especially going down the hill from a few samples.
Outside posts contributed just four wins from the 36 main-track runs last
week.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 319 | |
| DIRT: | 232 | |
| TURF: | 87 | |
| FAVORITES: | 118 (37 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 62 (19 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 17 (19 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 66 (28 percent) |
Main Track Post Positions (wins):
| RAIL: | 29 | |
| 1-3: | 103 | |
| 4-6: | 93 | |
| 7-out: | 36 |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (2/17)
2ND — BULLDOGGER (Dixie Union) made a nice return in this one for Baffert,
rating kindly before putting away a red-hot leader inside the final furlong
under Martin Garcia. The talented four-year-old could evolve into one of the
better sprinters out west with steady improvement.
Friday (2/18)
6TH — FRIGID BRIDGET (Nucay) put in a fine showing in her debut versus
winners, falling just a neck shy to a more seasoned favorite. The Dan Hendricks
trainee is surely one to watch next out.
7TH — EXCELLENT NEWS (Rahy) had to need this one in her first since the
summer and will be a big win threat in her subsequent start against similar
foes.
Saturday (2/19)
2ND — TRUCO (Stormy Jack) put in a valiant try against an odds-on horse who
has thrived at this meeting, finishing well clear in second on this day. The
Golden Gate shipper will be tough to deal with if he puts forth an effort as
good as this one in his next.
6TH — The Carla Gaines-trained MILDLY OFFENSIVE (Sharp Humor) was much the
best in this one and appears to have a bright future. The debuter is a
three-quarters to Grade 2 winner It’s No Joke and talented stakes star Keep
Laughing, and the three-year-old filly could turn into any type with seasoning.
7TH — GALLATIN’S RUN (Alke) looked like an easy winner turning for home but
hit the proverbial wall late in a race that he likely needed off the shelf. The
Mitchell trainee should be tighter for his next outing and be tough to hold off
at this level.
Sunday (2/20)
7TH — MAGGIE MCGOWAN (Salt Lake) was quite impressive at first asking in
this one for Doug O’ Neill and could be a nice one going forward. The first
timer didn’t top the deepest field of all time but looked like a professional
from the opening bell. We’ll keep a close eye on the Cal-bred filly.
8TH — We loved the race PREMIER PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus) put forth in this
one when ultimately finishing third under Quinonez. The Grade 3 winner was close
to an blazing pace, ranged up to confront the clear leader nearing the top of
the stretch, and stayed on while being outpaced late in his dirt debut. We think
this colt has a very bright future.
Monday (2/21)
5TH — The Baffert-trained HOORAYFORHOLLYWOOD (Storm Cat) broke alertly and
proved much the best late in a sharp debut score under Rafael Bejarano. The
well-bred sophomore smoked 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02 1/5 and could be any type as
he’s bred to handle more ground.
A Look Ahead
There are no graded events this weekend at Santa Anita.