SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
MAY 13, 2015
by John Mucciolo
A trio of graded stakes races topped the weekend at Santa Anita.
Vanity S. (G1): Pamela Ziebarth’s homebred MY SWEET ADDICTION (Tiznow) went
to the front early, withstood a stern test in midstretch and finished a length
clear on the line with Mike Smith. The five-year-old mare finished off 1 1/8
miles for trainer Marty Jones in 1:49 3/5 to notch her first stakes score.
American S. (G3): Fox Hill Farms and Sienna Farm’s BAL A BALI (Put it Back)
moved into striking range in early stretch and surged to a one-length tally in
his U.S. debut. Trained by Richard Mandella, the Brazilian Triple Crown winner
overcame a bout of laminitis and an 11-month layoff, covering one mile on the
firm turf in 1:35 3/5 with Flavien Prat.
Lazaro Barrera Memorial S. (G3): Fox Hill Farms’ KENTUCKIAN (Tiznow) tracked
behind a swift early pace, made a bold move to take command in early stretch and
waltzed home a superb 6 1/4-length winner for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. The
sophomore colt, who was guided by Smith, sped seven-eighths on the fast main
oval in a sensational 1:20 4/5 in posting his first stakes win.
Track Stats
From a total of 34 races held at 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,
seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (30 percent), while three of the 11
grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end (27 percent).
For the second straight week, we thought both surfaces gave all runners a
chance for the most part — and the high number of favorites coming through
backs up our opinion.
Of the seven wire jobs on the dirt, four came in sprint runs while the other
trio came going two turns.
Two of the trio of wire-to-wire winners on the lawn occurred in route events,
and the other on the downhill course in a dash.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 682 | |
| DIRT: | 465 | |
| TURF: | 217 | |
| FAVORITES: | 252 (37 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 131 (19 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 35 (16 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 103 (22 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (5/7)
3RD — DECKED OUT (Street Boss) broke slowest but soon got going and put the
field away late in a fine debut showing for conditioner Keith Desormeaux. The
juvenile filly was sharp from a visual standpoint and surely will be stakes
bound in her subsequent outing.
4TH — HAVANA BELLE (Teofilo) was last at the midstretch mark but put in a
spirited late run to just get up in a pretty brave allowance win under Rafael
Bejarano. The Phil d’Amato trainee got her final furlong in a wicked :11 2/5 and
the sophomore is surely one with a good deal of ability.
Friday (5/8)
1ST — ANNIE’S CANDY (Twirling Candy) was a bit outrun early on but came home
with a fine late try to fall a nose shy in a positive first outing. The Peter
Miller trainee should gain from this experience and the well-bet sort should be
graduating before long.
6TH — GREAT LOU (Ready’s Image) ripped off another fine tally on this main
oval and the in-form gelding looks like a fine claim by conditioner Bob Hess.
The speedy sophomore took command at the top of the lane and withstood all
comers in a sharp win, with a solid final time for the level as well.
Saturday (5/9)
1ST — Conditioner Bill Spawr could have a nice one on his hands in the form
of MATRICULATE (Lucky Pulpit), who dominated his first lifetime outing. The
sophomore colt pressed the pace and took over readily in the stretch, powering
home late like a colt with a bright future beneath Elvis Trujillo.
2ND — Trainer Richard Mandella continued his mastery of these downhill turf
races as of late when ELEMENTAR (More Than Ready) took the lead out of the chute
and never looked back en route to a decisive 3 1/2-length maiden tally. The
well-bred filly beat a useful field and could be any kind going forward.
7TH — BRONZE STAR (Tapit) was not beating the sharp winner in this dash at a
distance less than his best, but we love the race put in by the sophomore in his
three-year-old debut to be second. The colt broke slowest of all, but got into
contention and finished clear of third in a fine start to his 2015 campaign for
trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.
8TH — The once-beaten BAL A BALI looked the part in his stateside debut and
we’re are very excited to see how good he can be on U.S. soil with a bit more
acclimation to the West Coast.
Sunday (5/10)
3RD — DI GIORGIO (Star Dabbler) didn’t run in the greatest field ever
assembled in this downhill outing, though the Ron McAnally trainee did finish
third in what could be a nice building block to his campaign after a long
layoff. Watch this one for improvement second time out in 2015.
A Look Ahead
There is no graded action at Santa Anita this weekend.