SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 5, 2014
by John Mucciolo
There was a trio of graded races during the week at Santa Anita.
Las Virgenes S. (G1): Arnold Zetcher and Michael Tabor’s FASHION PLATE
(Old Fashioned) took command soon after the start and held on gamely late to
post her first Grade 1 tally for trainer Simon Callaghan. The speedy sophomore
went one mile on the fast main oval in 1:37 1/5 under the guidance of Gary
Stevens.
Arcadia S. (G2): Heerensperger and Nelson’s WINNING PRIZE (Pure Prize)
tracked in second to midstretch and took over late in posting a 1 1/2-length
victory under Rafael Bejarano. The Neil Drysdale trainee endured one mile on the
firm turf in a snappy 1:32 4/5.
Palos Verdes S. (G2): Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer et al’s WILD DUDE
(Wildcat Heir) sat off a contested pace early, swung wide into the stretch and
prevailed under the wire by a neck with Rafael Bejarano. The 8-1 shot sped six
panels on the fast man oval in 1:08.
Track Stats
From a total of 33 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the
past week, favorites won at a 33 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 48 percent of the wins. From 20 frays contested on the dirt oval,
three animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (15 percent), while one of the 13
grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (8 percent).
All three wire jobs on the main oval came in the form of route races, a
similar trend over the past few weeks. The main oval continues to be playing
fairly, which is a change from the past when speed had a fairly significant
edge. We still prefer horses within striking range early on, though.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 223 | |
| DIRT: | 148 | |
| TURF: | 75 | |
| FAVORITES: | 86 (39 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 42 (19 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 11 (15 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 22 (15 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (1/30)
2ND — The John Shirreffs-trained SWEET BLISS (Street Cry) made an
eye-catching move approaching the turn for home and gamely stayed on late to
break her maiden in strong fashion. The well-bred filly was making her dirt
debut in this second lifetime run and could evolve into a nice one with
continued improvement.
5TH — HANSERELLA (Terrell) finally broke through after a ton of starts with
maidens and we liked the heart this mare showed late when challenged by a horse
with momentum. Trainer Jeff Bonde has this one going well and she could be a
sneaky player in her subsequent try.
Friday (1/31)
7TH — PREMIER STEPS (Footstepsinthesand) had to need the start being off
since May and the Tom Proctor pupil ran a big one behind a wire-to-wire winner
to be second in this well-matched field. We’ll tab the four-year-old for a big
run next time.
Saturday (2/1)
3RD — APPEALING TALE (Tale of the Cat) has really picked up his level to new
heights since stretching out while back on the dirt for conditioner Peter
Miller, and the gelding should be stakes bound next time. The four-year-old beat
a pair of real nice ones in this small field and is too sharp right now to
overlook wherever he may show up.
7TH — STREAMING (Smart Strike) burned some money in her first lifetime
defeat, but the Bob Baffert pupil ran big in second in what could have been her
most impressive run in our view. The lightly raced filly sure has room for
growth and loses nothing off of this effort.
Sunday (2/2)
4TH — We thought MOONSHINE BAY (Kela) was just a rabbit for his stable
companion in this dash, but the Golden Gate shipper went head-to-head with the
Breeders’ Cup Sprint champ and was just a length back of that one under the
wire. This was a fine showing in our opinion.
A Look Ahead
A trio of Grade 2 races will take place on Saturday at “The Great Race
Place.” The $300,000 San Antonio Handicap, $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes and
$200,000 San Marcos Stakes lead the way.