SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
APRIL 22, 2015
by John Mucciolo
A pair of graded stakes races topped the weekend at Santa Anita.
Santa Barbara S. (G3): Derrick Fisher’s QUEEN OF THE SAND (Footstepsinthesand)
picked up momentum approaching the turn for home and finished best to post a
nose tally with Drayden Van Dyke. The Paddy Gallagher trainee stopped the
teletimer in 2:01 for 10 panels on the firm turf course.
San Simeon S. (G3): Annette Bishop’s GET HAPPY MISTER (First Samurai)
rallied along the fence in late stretch and pulled clear to a one-length victory
under the guidance of Tyler Baze. The gelded five-year-old got the about 6 1/2
furlongs on the firm lawn in 1:13 for trainer Mark Tsagalakis.
Track Stats
From a total of 34 races held over the Arcadia, California racetrack during
the past week, favorites won at a 44 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 62 percent of the wins. From 23 frays contested on the dirt
oval, eight animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (35 percent), while one of the
11 grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end (9 percent).
The lone turf wire job this week came in a route run by a standout performer.
On the main oval, speed was good and horses that were forwardly placed had a
lot of success. Eight winners led at every call on the dirt, five in sprint runs
and a trio in two-turn events.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 587 | |
| DIRT: | 403 | |
| TURF: | 184 | |
| FAVORITES: | 221 (38 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 109 (19 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 28 (15 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 86 (21 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (4/16)
2ND — YANA (Bertrando) is not the most consistent thing in training but is
on a nice little run of late, recording a powerful performance in this one-mile
event. The Bill Spawr-trained filly has learned to harness her speed some and
should be a big player right back if placed with something like these.
3RD — CYRUS ALEXANDER (Medaglia d’Oro) looks to have earned himself a graded
stakes chance following a strong allowance tally under Rafael Bejarano. The
Jerry Hollendorfer charge beat a decent field including a runner-up we like
some, and the colt is steadily improving.
6TH — MIDNIGHT STORM (Pioneerof the Nile) has not raced since August, but he
looked no worse for wear in putting in arguably the sharpest performance of the
week. The four-year-old colt spurted to the early lead and then exploded in the
lane to stop the teletimer in a rapid 1:33 1/5 under Tyler Baze. The Phil
d’Amato trainee was 7 3/4 lengths clear under the wire and should be stakes
bound after this tour de force.
Friday (4/17)
1ST — WICKED FINANCE (Broken Vow) finally broke through after a bevy of
placings and could be a big-time player next time after learning how to cross
the wire in first for trainer Eric Kruljac.
6TH — Hollendorfer sent out the debuting MINISTER’SADVENTURE (Ministers
Wildcat) and the youngster delivered with a strong score, pulling away late. The
sophomore filly will likely not be entered for a claiming tag in her subsequent
outing.
Saturday (4/18)
2ND — PICA (Consolidator) was quickest from the opening bell and increased
her lead at every call, eventually securing a very nice tally for trainer Peter
Miller. The five-year-old mare was swift throughout in this dash and could be
stakes bound with further improvement.
6TH — FOREST BLUE (Tale of Ekati) gave Miller a second sharp winner on the
card as the first-time starter turned in a convincing performance beneath Victor
Espinoza. The gelded sophomore came home in a similar time as older allowance
mares earlier on the card and could develop into a good one.
Sunday (4/19)
1ST — GOLD CHASER (Medaglia d’Oro) never wavered with a big deficit in the
lane, wearing down the clear leader in a fine starter allowance tally. The
five-year-old is going pretty well right now and must get respect in his
comeback outing.
6TH — CONQUEST CURLGIRL (Curlin) showed speed, took a short lead at the top
of the lane and finished up well to be a nice second in her debut performance.
The Mark Casse-conditioned filly should improve off of this one and might also
relish a bit more ground next time.
A Look Ahead
Saturday will play host to the $100,000 Last Tycoon Stakes (G3), while the
Sunday feature is the $100,000 Wilshire Handicap (G3).