SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
MAY 1, 2014
by John Mucciolo
A pair of graded stakes took place this week at Santa Anita.
Last Tycoon S. (G3): Pablo Gomez’s QUICK CASABLANCA (Until Sundown)
moved four wide into the stretch and gamely got up late to post a pretty big
upset under Joe Talamo. The six-year-old, who was making his 2014 debut, clocked
nine panels on the firm turf in 1:48 3/5 for conditioner Ron McAnally.
Wilshire S. (G3): Campbell et al’s PARRANDA (English Channel) swept to
the front nearing midstretch and finished up gamely to earn this tally under
Rafael Bejarano. The Jerry Hollendorfer charge was 1 1/2 lengths clear under the
wire in clocking one mile on the firm green in 1:33 2/5.
Track Stats
From a total of 28 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during
the past week, favorites won at a 32 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 68 percent of the wins. From 16 frays contested on the dirt
oval, four animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (25 percent), while one of the 12
grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end (8 percent).
We thought both ovals played real fairly during the three-day racing weekend,
with all types having success here. The dirt played fast but with no bias to
running types, or post positions.
Closers had more success on the green, though we still favor forwardly placed
runners on the turf until we are proven otherwise.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 622 | |
| DIRT: | 406 | |
| TURF: | 216 | |
| FAVORITES: | 206 (33 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 158 (25 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 50 (23 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 108 (27 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Friday (4/25)
5TH — NEWFOUND GOLD (Newfoundland) won the battle but lost the war in
dueling early, taking command in the lane, and getting caught late when tiring.
The seven-year-old gelding is in very good form and might turn out to be a nice
claim for Tim Yakteen.
6TH — UPBEAT MOOD (Mizzen Mast) led for nearly every jump of this race until
losing the bob on the wire, but we considered this to be a fine run coming off
the long layoff under Joe Talamo. The Mike Puype pupil should be tough to deal
with her in her comeback run if placed with similar.
Saturday (4/26)
5TH — STORM FIGHTER (Stormin Fever) took command soon after the start and
never looked back in topping a nice field for conditioner Bruce Headley. The
California-bred colt has now run off a pair of wins in succession since the long
layoff and he could face open stakes foes next time in this fine form.
6TH — HEAT FLASH (Unusual Heat) finally broke through after a few fine
showings in succession and the Barry Abrams trainee surely is going in the right
direction at this point. The gelding got his final quarter-mile in a solid :23
4/5.
7TH — TOP KISSER (Old Topper) proved that she is not just a turf horse with
a powerful stakes score off the layoff since the summer for trainer Jerry
Hollendorfer. The five-year-old mare was always in the mix and left her foes for
dead with a fine late burst, clocking six panels in a wicked 1:08 4/5.
Sunday (4/27)
2ND — RELATIVE TIME (Einstein) showed marked improvement moving to the turf
for trainer Julio Canani when rallying from last after the opening four panels
to finish a fine second beneath Jose Valdivia Jr. Tab the twice-raced gelding
for a big run in his return engagement .
A Look Ahead
The Grade 2, $100,000 Precisionist Stakes will top the Saturday card, while
Sunday plays host to the Grade 2, $200,000 Honeymoon Stakes.