SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
JUNE 17, 2015
by John Mucciolo
There was a pair of graded races at Santa Anita this past week.
Shoemaker Mile (G1): Hronis Racing LLC’s TALCO (Pivotal) began to build
momentum approaching the turn for home and closed best of all in posting a nice
upset for trainer John Sadler. The four-year-old colt toppled a fine field and
stopped the teletimer in 1:35 over the firm turf with Rafael Bejarano.
Adoration (G3): Spendthrift Farm’s multiple champion BEHOLDER (Henny Hughes)
tracked in second, took the lead in early stretch and held off a stern
challenger en route to a 1 1/4-length score under Gary Stevens. The brilliant
five-year-old mare ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:41 3/5 for conditioner Richard Mandella.
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 65 percent of the wins. From 18 frays contested on the dirt oval,
five animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (28 percent), while three of the 16
grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end (19 percent).
We thought both ovals were fair all week for sure. Two of the trio of dirt
wire jobs came in sprint runs down the hill, while four of the main-oval
wire-to-wire winners occurred in one-turn races.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 858 | |
| DIRT: | 582 | |
| TURF: | 276 | |
| FAVORITES: | 330 (38 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 168 (20 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 45 (16 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 133 (23 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (6/11)
1ST — MICKS MIRACLE (Wildcat Heir) had a tough trip off the layoff but still
proved he has a lot of class, recording a nice third for conditioner Phil
d’Amato. The electric debut winner will be tough next out, especially with a
post off the rail.
STRINGENT (Lemon Drop Kid) made it two-for-two with a strong tally over a
small but talented field to kick off the week. The Bruce Headley pupil looks
like he could be stakes bound soon.
5TH — SCHILLAIRESS (Artie Schiller) proved way too good for maiden claiming
foes with an easy debut tally for fine juvenile conditioner John Brocklebank.
The juvenile colt was claimed by Peter Miller out of this one and could be any
type going forward.
6TH — RATTATAPTAP (Tapit) was well off the pace but put in a strong late run
to be a nice second in her turf debut, against older ladies, as well. The
capable Jeff Bonde trainee may have found a home on the lawn.
Friday (6/12)
3RD — LONG HOT SUMMER (Street Boss) moved into contention at the top of the
lane and proved much the best in a dominating performance under Joe Talamo. The
high-quality sophomore filly will be rising in class with stakes foes next time.
4TH — BELLE OF THE FLEET (Northern Afleet) is really in sharp form right now
and could turn out to be a bright claim by conditioner Doug O’Neill. The
four-year-old Kentucky-bred clocked six panels in a superb 1:08 4/5 for the
level and will be super tough right back with something like this run.
7TH –GLOBAL VIEW (Galileo) had little chance of rallying into a dawdling
early pace, but the Tom Proctor trainee still made a big late burst and could be
sitting on a win right back. The Grade 2 hero should be a factor out here this
summer.
Saturday (6/13)
8TH — WARREN’S VENEDA (Affirmative) ran about as well as a horse could in
defeat, finishing more than seven lengths clear of her nearest foe in this spot.
The Craig Lewis trainee has really evolved into a top handicap mare this season.
Sunday (6/14)
4TH — We’re not sure what FIGHT THRU (Kafwain) beat in this race, but the
sophomore gelding really leveled off nicely in the lane and the gelding could be
a big threat when facing winners in his subsequent outing.
8TH — WASTED AT MIDNIGHT (Midnight Lute) made a nice run in the lane but had
to settle for second in a very good try in her stakes debut for trainer Richard
Mandella. The five-year-old mare has run into clear leaders on the front end in
two straight, and could bag a stakes with the right pace to run at in the
future.
A Look Ahead
Saturday will play host to the $200,000 Summertime Oaks (G2) for
three-year-old fillies on the main oval.