SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
MAY 28, 2015
by John Mucciolo
Santa Anita offered a trio of graded races last week.
Gamely S. (G1): Speedway Stable LLC’s HARD NOT TO LIKE (Hard Spun) got
through on the rail in deep stretch to post a neck decision. Now a two-time
Grade 1 winner, the Christophe Clement trainee finished off nine furlongs on the
firm lawn in 1:49 4/5 with Victor Espinoza.
Charles Whittingham S. (G2): After being last at the top of the lane, Alesia
et al’s ASHLEYLUVSSUGAR (Game Plan) delivered a fine run through the final
furlong to score by a half-length under Gary Stevens. The Peter Eurton trainee
ran to a third straight victory, clocking 1 1/2 miles on the firm turf in 2:30.
Los Angeles S. (G3): Brown, Klein and Lebherz’s DISTINCTIV PASSION (With
Distinction) sped to the front soon after the break and held off a stern test
late to record a neck victory for trainer Jeff Bonde. The five-year-old finished
off six furlongs on the fast main surface in a sharp 1:08 under Edwin Maldonado.
Track Stats
From a total of 44 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the
past week, favorites won at a 48 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 66 percent of the wins. From 29 frays contested on the dirt oval,
10 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (34 percent), while two of the 15 grassy
tilts were taken all the way on the front end (13 percent).
Speed was solid on the dirt this past week, but we wouldn’t call the oval
biased with the amount of winning favorites coming home. Of the 10 wire jobs on
the main strip, nine came in sprint races.
On the turf, one wire-to-wire winner came in a downhill sprint, while the
other one occurred going two turns.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 762 | |
| DIRT: | 524 | |
| TURF: | 238 | |
| FAVORITES: | 288 (38 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 149 (19 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 38 (16 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 120 (23 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (5/21)
1ST — ALIEN GIANT (Giant’s Causeway) sped from the gate and never looked
back en route to a fine first-out tally for conditioner Robertino Diodoro. The
juvenile filly finished up in a nice final time for a barn having a lot of
success with its babies.
Friday (5/22)
2ND — SWIPE (Birdstone) broke slowest and had a bit of an eventful trip in
this debut offering, but the Keith Desormeaux trainee still finished well to be
second and likely won’t be a maiden for long.
7TH — BIRDLOVER (Byron) continues her fine form run and affinity for this
turf course with a game score over a very nice field for trainer Doug O’Neill.
The five-year-old mare is super sharp right now and will continue to be a player
on this course.
Saturday (5/23)
1ST — OIL (Tribal Rule) was very fast early and never slowed in posting a
superb first score under the guidance of Victor Espinoza. The Peter Miller
trainee was never in danger in this dash and we were a bit surprised that no
claims came in on the gelding.
3RD — SUNDAY RULES (Tribal Rule) has still yet to be headed in her lifetime
and she looks ready for a go with graded runners after rolling over state-bred
foes.
7TH — SHEER PLEASURE (Birdonthewire) left little doubt in this stakes run
and we liked how the sophomore miss came home in a sharp :31 1/5 under Tyler
Baze. The Phil d’Amato pupil could evolve into a graded type with steady
improvement.
Sunday (5/24)
5TH — SUPER MAJESTY (Super Saver) was bet down to 3-5 odds in this debut
offering and the Jerry Hollendorfer trainee did not disappoint, rolling home a 6
1/2-length winner while completing six panels in a swift 1:08 2/5. Tab this
sophomore filly as a potential star in the making.
Monday (5/25)
5TH — IRON FIST (Tapit) battled back gamely after being headed in midstretch
to break his maiden for conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer. The $1.5 million
purchase made good in his first two-turn test and beat a horse who will likely
be graduating next time out. The three-year-old colt came home in a stout :24
beneath Mike Smith.
ROSICKY (Flatter) ran a winning race in defeat and will be graduating soon
after a few fine tries for trainer Carla Gaines.
6TH — CURLIN’S FOX (Curlin) made pretty short work of a field we thought was
full of talent and filly figures to be back in with stakes foes next time, in a
sprint or route try for Gaines.
A Look Ahead
A pair of graded races Saturday highlight the weekend at Santa Anita, with
the $300,000 American Oaks (G1) and $200,000 Californian Stakes (G2) as
headliners.