SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
MARCH 5, 2014
by John Mucciolo
There was a single graded race this week at Santa Anita.
Santa Ysabel S. (G3): Kaleem Shah’s AWESOME BABY (Awesome Again) took
command soon after the start and never looked back en route to a 2 3/4-length
victory under Mike Smith. The Bob Baffert-trained sophomore filly stopped the
teletimer in 1:41 2/5 for 1 1/16 miles on the wet-fast track beneath Mike Smith.
Track Stats
From a total of 34 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the
past week, favorites won at a 24 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 62 percent of the wins. From 34 frays contested on the dirt oval,
11 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (32 percent), while all racing on the
turf was washed off this week.
Speed was very good on this main oval, especially when there is some moisture
in it. Of the 11 runners to lead at every call, five came in route runs and six
in sprints.
Inner posts also dominated this week, with 23 of the 34 winners breaking from
the innermost three post positions. Some of that, of course, was due to field
sizes being diminished with the rains that fell.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 368 | |
| DIRT: | 253 | |
| TURF: | 115 | |
| FAVORITES: | 132 (36 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 84 (23 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 19 (17 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 57 (23 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (2/27)
2ND — PRAY HARD (Kafwain) tracked in second behind a swift leader, put that
one away in early stretch and strode home a fine winner under Rafael Bejarano.
The gelded sophomore finished off six panels in a wicked 1:08 1/5 and should be
stakes bound in his subsequent race.
6TH — THISONESFORRICKY (Empire Maker) was well positioned throughout and
looked to have the leader measured in the lane, yet the Marty Jones trainee fell
short again in a close finish, a disturbing trend for the capable mare. We’d
have to play against this one, who is always a short price, until she proves
that she can seal the deal.
Friday (2/28)
3RD — ZENSATIONAL BEAUTY (Zensational) won the battle but lost the war when
second to a filly who had a dream trip in third behind a pace duel. The Bob
Baffert trainee had a lot of energy in the lane to be a clear runner-up and
should be graduating before long.
4TH — BETTY’S BAMBINO (Unusual Heat) surely took to the off-going in this
dash at first asking for Peter Eurton when taking command at the top of the lane
and streaking home a daylight winner in a swift final time. The four-year-old
gelding clocked 6 1/2 panels on the wet-fast oval in 1:14 2/5 and could be any
kind going forward.
Saturday (3/1)
2ND — SOCIALBUG (Curlin) prompted the pace to the head of the lane and took
over from there in a fine allowance tally for conditioner Bob Baffert. The
half-sister to champion and sire Midnight Lute has surely given signals of a
stakes-quality runner, and we expect her to rise in class and tackle black-type
foes in her subsequent race.
4TH — BOBO (Council Member) got a fast start and stayed on well late in a
very nice runner-up showing in his first run since the Del Mar meet in the
summer. The four-year-old gelding should be very tough next time out with even
slight improvement.
Sunday (3/2)
4TH — JUDGE CARR (Mizzen Mast) was well held to the top of the lane and
exploded once clear in a most impressive score for conditioner Bob Hess. The
four-year-old gelding will be tough second off the claim next out.
5TH — KOOL KAT (Scat Daddy) got beaten to the punch turning for home by a
nice winner but stayed on very well to be a clear second, more than nine lengths
of third. The sophomore filly appreciated the stretch out to two turns and
should be graduating before long for conditioner James Cassidy.
A Look Ahead
The signature race of the meeting will be held on Saturday in the form of the
$750,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1). Also slated for a big day of racing is the
$300,000 Franke E. Kilroe Mile (G1), the $300,000 San Felipe (G2) and $250,000
San Carlos (G2).
Sunday will play host to the $100,000 Las Flores (G3) for fillies and mares.