SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
MARCH 15, 2011
by John Mucciolo
A budding star put himself in the center of the Kentucky Derby (G1)
conversation with a huge run on Saturday.
San Felipe S. (G2): Owner/breeder/trainer Kwon Myung Cho’s PREMIER
PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus) stormed to the front approaching the final turn and
poured it on late, impressively kicking clear by 7 3/4 lengths at the wire. The
standout sophomore got 1 1/16 miles in 1:41 1/5 under regular rider Alonso
Quinonez.
Santa Margarita S. (G1): Matthew Cloros’ MISS MATCH (Arg) (Indygo
Shiner) re-rallied inside the final furlong to get up and post a 45-1 upset for
Neil Drysdale. The six-year-old mare endured 1 1/8 miles in 1:47 1/5 beneath
Garrett Gomez to win by a head.
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 54 percent of the wins. From 24 frays contested on
the dirt oval, five animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (21 percent), while five
of the 11 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (9 percent).
We feel that there is surely no speed bias on the main oval as of late, as
many winners are making up a lot of ground late to win. The same can be said for
the turf course, as it seems best to be stalking early before putting your best
foot forward.
Meet Totals
RACES:
424
DIRT:
304
TURF:
120
FAVORITES: 157 (37
percent)
2ND CHOICES: 87 (20 percent)
TURF WIRE: 24
(20 percent)
DIRT WIRE:
79 (26 percent)
Main Track Post Positions (wins)
RAIL: 34
1-3: 122
4-6: 125
7-out: 57
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (3/10)
5TH — DUBAI YOU X Y Z (E Dubai) makes this list again following another
superb performance for Mark Tsagalakis. The once-beaten gelding was well handled
throughout by Brice Blanc and responded when asked, surging home to get his
final three-eighths in a smart :35 1/5.
Friday (3/11)
5TH — SHEZABIGBROAD (Mr. Broad Blade) was bet heavily at first asking and
responded with a most impressive debut win for Mike Puype, running down a clear
leader in the lane to win going away. The sophomore miss could be any type and
is worth keeping an eye on in the immediate future.
Saturday (3/12)
2ND — LUNADA BAY (Dixieland Band) was the easiest of winners here in his
dirt debut for Bob Baffert. While we don’t think he beat much, we’d be intrigued
to play the well-bred colt right back if properly placed. We’d expect the
four-year-old to run longer as well.
4TH — HIATUS (Maria’s Mon) looked like a winner in mid-stretch but was very
erratic late and eventually had to settle for a clear second. The gelding would
be a serious player at this level next out if he can run straight throughout.
6TH — Grade 2 queen VISION IN GOLD (Medaglia d’Oro) is another who would
have benefited from taking a straight course, rather than ending up very wide
while nearly winning this Grade 1 affair. The lightly raced Ron Ellis charge
proved that her latest win was no fluke, and she’s a top player in a loaded
division out west.
8TH — We tabbed Premier Pegasus as a Horse to Watch following his last, but
not even we expected that type of breakout performance. The talented sophomore
is likely at or near the top of everyone’s Derby list, and deservedly so, as the
colt proved that distance shouldn’t pose much of an issue.
Sunday (3/13)
8TH — CAMBINA (Ire) (Hawk Wing) was an impressive victress in here and the
best may be yet to come, as the surging sophomore is bred to run all day.
Trainer Jeff Bonde has a real nice one.
A Look Ahead
The $150,000 Santa Ana S. (G2) leads the way on Saturday, while Sunday plays
host to the $150,000 San Luis Rey S. (G2) and $100,000 Santa Paula S. (G3).