SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 6, 2013
by John Mucciolo
There were a quartet of graded races during the weekend at the Santa Anita
winter/spring meeting.
San Antonio S. (G2): Diamond Pride LLC et al’s GAME ON DUDE (Awesome
Again) dominated this race for a second straight year for conditioner Bob
Baffert, cruising home by 6 1/2 lengths under Mike Smith. The gelded
six-year-old lived up to his 1-20 odds by finishing the nine furlongs in 1:47
2/5.
Robert B. Lewis S. (G2): Gary and Mary West’s FLASHBACK (Tapit) took
the lead soon after the break and was never challenged en route to a 6
1/4-length romp in this one under Julien Leparoux. The Bob Baffert trainee
remained unbeaten from two starts in completing the 1 1/16 miles on the fast
main oval in 1:42 4/5.
Strub S. (G2): Gary and Mary West’s GUILT TRIP (Pulpit) capped a big
day for these owners with a 1 1/2-length tally in this one for Baffert. The
improving four-year-old colt clocked nine panels on the dirt in 1:48 4/5 beneath
Joe Talamo.
Arcadia S. (G2): Pozo de Luna’s SUGGESTIVE BOY (Arg) (Easing Along)
got back to his winning ways in this turf test by blowing past his foes in the
lane on his way to a 2 1/2-length score with Talamo riding. The Ron McAnally
charge finished up one mile on the firm turf in a swift 1:32 3/5.
Track Stats
From a total of 34 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during
the past week, favorites won at a 44 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 65 percent of the wins. From 20 frays contested on the dirt
oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (35 percent), while two of the
14 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (14 percent).
A lot of betting favorites were successful this week, but it wasn’t super
chalky as a slew of those winners were lukewarm betting choices.
Speed was very good once again on this surface with most dirt winners perched
on or close to the lead early on, but we also witnessed enough late runners
filling some exotics spots to say the main oval isn’t overly biased as of late.
No horses breaking from the rail won on the dirt this week.
Of the two turf wire jobs, one came in a sprint and the other at one mile.
While this oval plays fairly almost always, a turn of foot is a nice thing to
have when racing on this lawn.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 226 | |
| DIRT: | 165 | |
| TURF: | 61 | |
| FAVORITES: | 84 (37 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 43 (19 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 7 (11 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 38 (23 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (1/31)
1ST — SWISS EMPEROR (Swiss Yodeler) remains a maiden after this one but has
run big in a few in a row, including a nice second in here, and has run well
enough to win despite falling short. We think the six-year-old breaks through
next time after facing a nice one in here.
4TH — SAMURAI JESS (First Samurai) led early and held well late to be a fine
second at first asking in this one, in a field we thought was strong for the
level. Expect this four-year-old to have a big chance next time with even slight
improvement.
6TH — We’ve been high on SUPER NINETY NINE (Pulpit) after his fine debut win
for conditioner Bob Baffert, and the talented sophomore prospect surely appears
to be of high quality following this facile allowance tally.
We still think CODE WEST (Lemon Drop Kid) can really run, and the colt should
only get better with more distance. The Baffert pupil has run into some real
nice ones, and he could be a sleeper from this loaded barn as the year
progresses.
Friday (2/1)
2ND — HOUT BAY (Harlan’s Holiday) was a bit unlucky in this one being
trapped along the inside for a good portion of the stretch in today’s run, and
should be very live next time off the claim for Jeff Mullins. Put this
five-year-old mare in your watch list.
3RD — We were surprised no claims were put in for PATRIOT’S VOYAGE (Awesome
Again) in this race, as the Baffert trainee was tons the best on the class drop.
Kept wide and in the clear throughout, the five-year-old went six panels in 1:09
2/5 and could simply be too good for this level.
Saturday (2/2)
1ST — Baffert unveiled another intriguing sophomore in this race with TIZ
THE TRUTH (Tiznow), who made short work of this field in a sharp maiden tally.
The colt did get away with a pretty easy lead today, but it was the closing
quarter-mile in :23 2/5 that really caught the eye. The well-bred sort could be
a late bloomer.
9TH — We were high on Suggestive Boy following his turf win in the summer at
Del Mar, but he never really progressed much while being placed in some curious
spots on a few different surfaces. The multiple Group 1 winner could be a
dynamic miler on the lawn and should possibly be kept in similar spots.
Sunday (2/3)
1ST — MIA ISABEL (Echange Rate) has been in fine recent form and made pretty
easy work of this field in the stretch under Rafael Bejarano, drawing clear to a
facile win. The Doug O’Neill charge is adept on the dirt, turf and synthetic,
and is really going well right now.
3RD — WHAT A SPOT (Arch) may not have beaten much, but the Tom Proctor pupil
was professional in victory and should only get better as she is bred to run
longer and perhaps on the lawn. Kin to two-time Grade 1 winner Coil, the
three-year-old filly could evolve into a nice one with seasoning.
A Look Ahead
Saturday’s Grade 2, $150,000 San Marcos Stakes is the lone graded event
upcoming at Santa Anita.