SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
OCTOBER 1, 2014
by John Mucciolo
A handful of Grade 1 races took place during the opening weekend at Santa
Anita.
Awesome Again S. (G1): Jungle Racing et al’s unbeaten champion SHARED
BELIEF (Candy Ride) went widest of all the entire way around the oval but still
gamely secured a measured, neck win for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. The standout
sophomore went nine panels on the fast main strip in 1:48 2/5 with Mike Smith in
the silks.
Zenyatta S. (G1): Spendthrift Farm’s champion BEHOLDER (Henny Hughes)
took command in early stretch and held off a stubborn foe in the latter stages
to post a popular score by three-parts of a length under Smith. The Richard
Mandella trainee endured 1 1/16 miles on the fast main oval in 1:42.
Frontrunner S. (G1): Zayat Stable’s homebred AMERICAN PHAROAH (Pioneerof
the Nile) was sent to the front soon after the break and showed a big closing
gear when asked in the lane, recording a fine 3 1/4-length tally for Bob
Baffert. The ultra-talented juvenile colt earned his second straight Grade 1 win
in completing the 1 1/16 miles in 1:41 4/5 beneath Victor Espinoza.
Chandelier S. (G1): Siena Farms’ homebred ANGELA RENEE (Bernardini)
tracked the early speed along the rail, deftly angled to the two path
approaching the turn for home and ran clear late in posting a 1 1/2-length
victory for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The juvenile filly stopped the teletimer
in 1:43 2/5 for 1 1/16 miles under Rafael Bejarano.
Rodeo Drive S. (G1): Juddmonte Farms’ homebred EMOLLIENT (Empire Maker)
tracked early near midpack, swung out wide for the stretch drive and powered
home a classy half-length winner for trainer Bill Mott. The four-year-old filly
went 10 furlongs on the firm lawn in 2:00 1/5 under the guidance of Rosie
Napravnik.
John Henry Turf Championship (G2): Dye and Venneri’s BRIGHT THOUGHT (Hat
Trick) forced the pace from the start, moved to the fore at the top of the lane
and held sway in a fine closing run late to secure a three-quarters of a length
tally for trainer Phil d’Amato. The Cal-bred five-year-old, who was piloted by
Tyler Baze, went 10 panels on the firm lawn in an excellent 1:58 1/5.
Eddie D. S. (G3): Tarabilla Farms’ HOME RUN KITTEN (Kitten’s Joy) was
last for the opening half-mile, swung into contention late and got up by a nose
under a well-timed ride from Joe Talamo. The David Hoffmans trainee sped the
about 6 1/2 furlongs on the firm downhill course in 1:11 4/5.
Track Stats
From a total of 29 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the
past week, favorites won at a 45 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 59 percent of the wins. From 19 frays contested on the dirt oval,
four animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (21 percent), while two of the 10
grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end (20 percent).
Speed was good on the main oval but not dominant, especially on Sunday when
horse running from off the pace may have held a slight advantage. Staying close
to the tempo was still a good thing during Friday and Saturday, however, and we
still would give forwardly placed runners an edge going forward.
It’s too soon to say anything about the lawn, with only 10 races run upon the
grass oval. This course often plays especially fairly, though.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 29 | |
| DIRT: | 19 | |
| TURF: | 10 | |
| FAVORITES: | 13 (45 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 4 (14 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 2 (20 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 4 (21 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Friday (9/26)
3RD — MEDICINE BUTTE (Old Fashioned) showed speed and hung on nearly all the
way before ultimately finishing second in a fine first outing for conditioner
Robertino Diodoro. We don’t think this was a very strong field the juvenile
filly faced, but it was a great start to her career and she should graduate in
the near future.
5TH — EXPO AND FIG (Star Dabbler) looked like a standout and lone speed on
paper, and the Phil d’Amato trainee delivered with ease in a dominant maiden
score. We’re a bit surprised that no one claimed this speedy gelding, who should
be a player right back with winners.
8TH — INDIANAPOLIS (Medaglia d’Oro) pressed a fast early tempo, took command
inside the final furlong and held on late in a fine return to the races for
conditioner Bob Baffert. The talented stakes winner should build upon this one
going forward, and will be stakes bound very soon once again.
Saturday (9/27)
4TH — PUNCTUATE (Distorted Humor) was shuffled back to last after a tardy
break, began to pick up momentum approaching the turn for home and proved best
late in inching away to a 1 3/4-length tally under Rosie Napravnik. The
Baffert-trained juvenile out of the superb Pepper’s Pride could be any kind
going forward after beating a field with seemingly a lot of potential.
6TH — CALCULATOR (In Summation) ran his second straight big one in a Grade 1
race behind a horse we have a lot of respect for, so the Peter Miller charge
deserves a ton of credit as the second best juvenile out west so far. The
Florida-bred should not be ignored in the upcoming Breeders Cup Juvenile (G1)
even though he’s still a maiden.
8TH — Baffert has FED BIZ (Giant’s Causeway) in excellent form and he should
be a big factor in his next outing, likely the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
9TH — ALEXIS TANGIER (Tiznow) rallied along the rail in the stretch to post
a strong score over a nice field in this downhill dash. The Mandella pupil is
now unbeaten from a trio of runs on the lawn, and looks like a chip off the old
block being produced from downhill supremo Cambiocorsa.
10TH — Angela Renee ran like a seasoned runner in this mostly facile victory
and though the final time was not the swiftest ever recorded here, the way she
did it leads us to believe that the filly is the one to beat in the Breeders’
Cup Juvenile Fillies.
A Look Ahead
The Saturday card boasts a trio of graded races at Santa Anita. The Grade 1,
$300,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship will be accompanied by the Grade 2,
$200,000 City of Hope Mile Stakes and the Grade 3, $100,000 L. A. Woman Stakes.