SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 27, 2013
by John Mucciolo
There was a single Grade 2 race over the weekend at Santa Anita.
San Carlos S. (G2): Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and Sweetwater Stable’s
SAHARA SKY (Pleasant Tap) rallied boldly in the lane to inch clear to a
three-quarters of a length score under Joe Talamo. The peaking five-year-old
went seven panels on the fast main oval in a swift 1:21 1/5.
Track Stats
From a total of 34 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the
past week, favorites won at a 26 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 41 percent of the wins. From 21 frays contested on the dirt oval,
five animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (24 percent), while four of the 13
grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (31 percent).
For the third straight week, speed horses have enjoyed big weeks on the lawn
at this meeting. We think it’s time to move horses up with speed some in our
handicapping over an oval that has been kind to pace.
Thursday yielded a trio of wire-to-wire winners from five races on dirt,
though only two others led at every call from 16 remaining dirt runs. Saturday
appeared to favor horses from off the pace and rallying a few paths off the
rail.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 340 | |
| DIRT: | 238 | |
| TURF: | 102 | |
| FAVORITES: | 115 (34 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 68 (20 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 20 (20 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 56 (24 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (2/21)
1ST — RUSSDICULOUS (Malibu Moon) ran well enough to win this race while
clear in second and could be a useful claim for conditioner Ted West. The
sophomore colt looms large at this level next time.
5TH — BRIGHT THOUGHT (Hat Trick) has to be taken seriously from here on out
after another fine wire-to-wire turf tally, this time at 1 1/4 miles. The Jorge
Gutierrez pupil has really taken off as of late and should be stakes-bound again
in his subsequent outing.
SAINT LOUP (Zamindar) put in a solid run to be a clear second in this one in
his first race since the fall, and the French import should be live next time
out for trainer Julio Canani.
Friday (2/22)
8TH — The Hollendorfer-trained HIDETHEGOODSTUFF (Old Topper) proved way too
good for this decent field and finished off 6 1/2 furlongs on the main oval in a
solid final time. The capable filly can surely have an impact right back with
winners with natural progression.
Saturday (2/23)
4TH — EGG DROP (Alphabet Soup) nearly ran down a clear leader in the final
furlong in a sharp late run and this filly will be tough next time with even
minor improvement for trainer Mike Mitchell.
5TH — CHIPS ALL IN (North Light) was all heart late and nearly pulled off
the upset in his first outing since the summer. The stakes winner fell just a
nose short of a superb downhill performer who set a track record in this race; a
fine comeback from the Jeff Mullins barn.
Sunday (2/24)
3RD – OILISBLACKGOLD (Tapit) went last-to-first to run down a talented field
in the lane on this occasion in what we think was his best race to date. The
Craig Dollase trainee came home very swiftly, getting his final five-sixteenths
in :30 /25, and could be stakes bound after this powerful showing.
A Look Ahead
The Grade 1, $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap is the top draw of a big Saturday
of racing at Santa Anita. Also on the card is the Grade 1, $300,000 Frank E.
Kilroe Mile and the Grade 1, $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes.