SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
OCTOBER 30, 2013
by John Mucciolo
There was a single graded stakes race at Santa Anita over the weekend.
Autumn Miss S. (G3): Glen Hill Farm’s homebred WISHING GATE (Indian Charlie)
was always well placed to the top of the lane and took command inside the final
furlong to post a convincing 1 1/4-length win under Gary Stevens. The talented
three-year-old endured one mile on the firm turf in 1:34 3/5 for conditioner Tom
Proctor.
Track Stats
From a total of 34 races held at the Arcadia, California, racetrack during
the past week, favorites won at a 38 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 56 percent of the wins. From 21 frays contested on the dirt
oval, nine animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (43 percent), while two of the 13
grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (15 percent).
Early speed fared much better on the main oval this week, but we didn’t think
there was any bias as a handful of winners on the dirt came from well off the
pace while wide. Last year for the Breeders’ Cup, the main strip was very
speed-favoring, so we will keep an eye on how things shake out on Thursday.
Both turf wire jobs came in route races on Sunday, and each was a well-meant
favorite dominating from start to finish. Any type can win on this green.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 179 | |
| DIRT: | 114 | |
| TURF: | 65 | |
| FAVORITES: | 54 (30 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 38 (21 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 6 (9 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 25 (22 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (10/24)
5TH — TANQUERRAY (Good Journey) had just one horse beaten early on but came
home with a powerful rush to reel in a clear leader late under Corey Nakatani.
The four-year-old filly got her final quarter-mile in a swift :22 4/5 for this
level.
7TH — We had a hunch that FANTICOLA (Silent Name) would thrive on the cut
back to sprinting and were proved right after the Mike Mitchell trainee held off
all comers late in a solid victory. The sophomore filly beat what we thought was
a decent field and will be a player next time if in with similar.
Friday (10/25)
4TH — We were very surprised that no one put in a claim on KING MAYA
(Aldebaran) in this spot as the 1-10 favorite rolled home a fine graduate for
trainer Vladimir Cerin. We envision this one coming back with starter foes next
time and being a major player.
6TH — The drop to this low level made a ton of sense for the Tim Yakteen-trained
AFFLICATION (Tiznow) as the four-year-old gelding owned this race from start to
finish. Piloted by Martin Garcia, the Kentucky-bred was 12 1/4 lengths clear
under the wire and is simply too good for this type when he’s on his game.
Saturday (10/26)
4TH — ACCOMODATION (Unusual Heat) was last to the turn for home in this
debut run for trainer Donald Warren, but the juvenile filly really turned it on
in late stretch to run down the 1-2 favorite and win going away under Julien
Leparoux. We had a fairly strong opinion of this field going into the race,
which only heightens our opinion on this miss.
7TH — PRAYER BE MINE (Lucky Pulpit) was very professional in this debut run
under Rafael Bejarano, rating kindly and exploding turning for home in a strong
first run for conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer. The California-bred filly was no
surprise at the windows and could be a nice one going forward.
EUROCLYDON (Singletary) showed speed and stayed on well to miss third by a
just a length in a productive debut for Eoin Harty. The juvenile filly hails
from a barn that is much better with second timers, so we’ll tab her as a major
player in her subsequent run with expected improvement.
Sunday (10/27)
5TH — TIZ THE TRUTH (Tiznow) returns to this list following a second
straight tally for conditioner Bob Baffert. The three-year-old colt was dueling
up front through very swift splits but never wavered, opening up late in a
much-the-best showing. We expect this talented sort to be stakes bound next
time, and a major force into 2014.
A Look Ahead
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships are upon us, as the two-day event will
take place on Friday and Saturday.
The Friday schedule will include the $2 million Distaff; $1 million Juvenile
Turf; $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf; $1 million Dirt Mile and the $500,000
Marathon.
Saturday will play host to nine Breeders’ Cup events. The $5 million Classic
will lead the way and be supported by the $3 million Turf; $2 million Filly and
Mare Turf; $2 million Juvenile; $2 million Juvenile Fillies; $2 million Mile;
$1.5 million Sprint; $1 million Turf Sprint and the $1 million Filly and Mare
Sprint.
Good luck & enjoy the racing!