SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
MARCH 29, 2011
by John Mucciolo
A single graded event was held this past week at Santa Anita.
Tokyo City Cup (G3): Spendthrift Farm’s homebred WORTH REPEATING
(Giant’s Causeway) took command leading up to the stretch and held away late in
posting a half-length upset in this event for trainer Richard Mandella. The
five-year-old went 1 1/2 miles on the fast main oval in 2:29 1/5 under Martin
Pedroza.
Track Stats
From a total of 42 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during
the five-day race week, favorites won at a 26 percent clip and the top two
betting choices combined for 55 percent of the wins. From 37 frays contested on
the dirt oval, 10 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (27 percent), while none
of the five grassy tussles went all the way on the lead.
We thought the main oval played pretty fairly for the entire week, with speed
not holding as well as it has during other dates when rain hit the ground. Most
of the wire jobs seemed to occur earlier in each race card, with stalkers and
closers having tons more success later in the race day.
It was a tough week for the bettors — six favorites won in eight races on
Friday, but only five more came through over the other 34 races this week.
Meet Totals
RACES:
501
DIRT:
367
TURF:
134
FAVORITES:
185 (37 percent)
2ND CHOICES:
104 (21 percent)
TURF WIRE:
25 (19 percent)
DIRT WIRE:
98 (27 percent)
Main Track Post Positions (wins)
RAIL: 39
1-3: 145
4-6: 151
7-out: 71
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (3/24)
6TH — ALL THE LOVE (Malabar Gold) is in the best form of her career for
Bruce Headley and was a pretty easy winner for the second straight time in this
dash. The improving Kentucky-bred could likely handle a small class rise next
out.
7TH — TALKTOOMUCH (Royal Academy) had too much to do turning for home but
still came home with excellent energy to just miss against a perfect-trip winner
in this one. The Mike Mitchell trainee should be tough yet again, from anywhere
up to a mile.
Friday (3/25)
5TH — Delta Downs import SAHARA SKY (Pleasant Tap) impressed in this one
with a fine late kick in his West Coast debut for Hollendorfer, powering home
with long strides to get the job done. The wild card topped two good ones and
could be a really useful performer for Hollendorfer.
8TH — ON MY HONOR (Petionville) ran a winning one in defeat on this day, and
the improving sort shouldn’t be a maiden for long for conditioner Dan Hendricks.
Saturday (3/26)
2ND — The well-bred DOMINUS (Smart Strike) was well meant off the shelf in
posting a superb, 5 1/4-length tally in his first since the summer. The Steve
Asmussen-trained sophomore looks to be stakes quality and should develop into a
nice one.
Sunday (3/27)
4TH — Trainer Mike Mitchell might have gotten a good one on the claim of
winner BURJ DUBAI (Distored Humor) on this day, as the five-year-old sped home
in a speedy 1:14 for 6 1/2 furlongs. The gelding beat a few good ones in here
and rates a big chance on the return.
7TH — MOONSTRUCK MAYA (Malibu Moon) set a rapid pace in this one and stayed
on well to be second for John Sadler. The three-year-old filly shouldn’t be
stuck at this level for long with any improvement.
A Look Ahead
Saturday’s $100,000 Las Flores S. (G3) and Sunday’s $150,000 Potrero Grande
S. (G2) lead the way this week at the “Great Race Place.”