SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
JUNE 3, 2015
by John Mucciolo
Santa Anita featured a pair of graded races last week.
American Oaks (G1): Bederian et al’s homebred SPANISH QUEEN (Tribal Rule)
tracked in third to midstretch and edged away late to record her first Grade 1
tally for conditioner Richard Baltas. The sophomore filly was three-parts of a
length clear under the wire, clocking 10 panels on the firm turf in 2:01 4/5
under Brice Blanc.
Californian S. (G2): Haras Santa Maria de Araras’ CATCH A FLIGHT (Giant’s
Causeway) reached even terms with Moreno (Ghostzapper) nearing midstretch and
got the best of that one late in securing a half-length tally beneath Gary
Stevens. The talented five-year-old clocked nine furlongs on the fast main oval
in 1:47 3/5 for conditioner Richard Mandella.
Track Stats
From a total of 26 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the
past week, favorites won at a 50 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 69 percent of the wins. From 15 frays contested on the dirt oval,
five animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (33 percent), while three of the 11
grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end (27 percent).
The numbers on wire-to-wire winners on the dirt might have been skewed some
this week as three of the five who led at every call came in 4 1/2-furlong
sprint runs. The dirt surface appeared to play fairly to us, overall.
Two of the trio of turf winners who led throughout came in sprint offerings,
one going two turns.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 788 | |
| DIRT: | 539 | |
| TURF: | 249 | |
| FAVORITES: | 301 (38 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 154 (19 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 41 (16 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 125 (23 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Friday (5/29)
2ND — BOLO (Artie Schiller) made a triumphant return to the turf, proving
much the best as he led throughout in a facile allowance tally for conditioner
Carla Gaines. The ultra-talented sophomore colt is being pointed to the $1.25
Belmont Derby (G1) on July 4.
3RD — BABY BEA SCATTIN (Scat Daddy) had a slow start and some trouble in
this debut offering, but the Art Sherman pupil showed the determination to stay
on late and win at first asking. We’re not sure what the filly beat in here, but
she looks like an intriguing prospect going forward.
4TH — SHE SINGS ALONG (Aragorn) had no chance with the fine winner in this
first outing, but the Steve Miyadi pupil did rally well to be a clear second and
will be tough with even slight improvement in her comeback offering.
Saturday (5/30)
9TH — PAY THE FINE (Square Eddie) moved to the fore at the top of the lane
and blew his rivals away in posting a big maiden romp on the downhill turf oval.
The sophomore colt has flashed big potential to this point and could be a nice
one with more seasoning for Doug O’Neill.
Sunday (5/31)
4TH — MRAZEK (Square Eddie) may not have defeated the best field of all
time, but the O’Neill pupil really looked the part in doing so with a daylight
tally to start his career. The juvenile colt is headed to the stakes ranks next
time.
6TH — Trainer Richard Baltas may have made a nice claim of ANXIOUS TIMES
(Tiznow), who tracked a fast pace and pulled away to a solid tally in this spot.
The four-year-old should have room for improvement for a barn doing a lot of
things right at this meeting.
A Look Ahead
The $100,000 Affirmed Handicap (G3) on Sunday is the lone graded event this
weekend.