SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
MARCH 1, 2011
by John Mucciolo
There were no graded races at Santa Anita this week.
Track Stats
From a total of 34 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during
the four-day race week, favorites won at a 41 percent clip and the top two
betting choices combined for 70 percent of the wins. From 26 frays contested on
the dirt oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (23 percent), while one
of the eight grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (12 percent).
The main strip was not speed-favoring at all this week, with Sunday having
the best results for front runners on the dirt, with winners in three of seven
starts.
In addition, just one horse breaking from the rail got the job done on the
main oval from 26 races. The outer paths seemed slightly better all week in our
estimation, especially on Saturday.
The turf oval favored closing types.
Meet Totals
RACES:
353
DIRT:
258
TURF:
95
FAVORITES: 132
(37 percent)
2ND CHOICES: 72 (20 percent)
TURF WIRE:
18 (19 percent)
DIRT WIRE:
72 (28 percent)
Main Track Post Positions (wins)
RAIL: 30
1-3: 109
4-6: 108
7-out: 41
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (2/24)
1ST — The Mike Mitchell-trained TALKTOOMUCH (Royal Academy) was tons the
best here in a superb display under Joe Talamo. The hard-knocking seven-year-old
flew home behind a moderate pace in a showing that looked stakes quality.
3RD — AKKADIAN (Tiznow) was equally impressive in his maiden win for Julio
Canani, striding home a most impressive victor beneath Garrett Gomez. This one
can be any type.
4TH — BRERTON PARK (Salt Lake) showed good speed, dropped back some, and
came again late while holding off a pair of foes in a game showing for Gary
Sherlock. We believe that this one might be able to handle a bit more ground,
and a try on the lawn might work, too.
6TH — KATE’S EVENT (Event of the Year) was last for most of this race, but
closed with a fury to pass the entire field for Jerry Hollendorfer. The
lightly-raced filly should be very tough in her subsequent try, and will
probably handle any surface.
Friday (2/25)
3RD — LEASE OF LIFE (Cozzene) went un-claimed yet again and continues to run
big at mid-level claiming spots for Peter Miller. The former Juddmonte castoff
got her final quarter-mile in a sharp :23 1/5.
Saturday (2/26)
3RD — ONE BAD ROMANCE (Broken Vow) showed good speed, dropped back after
being slightly outrun, and closed with a big rush to just miss for Mitchell. The
three-year-old filly is a prime win threat in her next.
6TH — LE MANS (War Front) has let us down so far, but the Asmussen pupil
looks like a horse who would be a big factor on the lawn if that’s where he opts
next out. The $275,000 juvenile purchase was spotty in here but we still believe
he has some ability.
A Look Ahead
One of the signature days of the spring meet is Saturday, led by the $750,000
Santa Anita H. (G1). On the undercard of this much-anticipated day are the
$300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) and $250,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G1).