SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
JUNE 10, 2015
by John Mucciolo
There was a single graded race at Santa Anita last week.
Affirmed H. (G3): Watson, Weitman and Pegram’s GIMME DA LUTE (Midnnight
Lute) reached level terms with the odds-on choice Prospect Park (Tapit) inside
the final furlong and got the better of his rival late, securing a half-length
win for trainer Bob Baffert. The three-year-old colt covered 1 1/16 miles on the
fast main oval in 1:41 2/5 under Martin Garcia.
Track Stats
From a total of 36 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the
past week, favorites won at a 39 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 58 percent of the wins. From 25 frays contested on the dirt oval,
three animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (12 percent), while one of the 11
grassy tilts was taken all the way on the front end (9 percent).
Speed was not great on the dirt this past week where the middle and outer
post slots appeared to be having the best of it. Of the trio of dirt wire jobs,
one came in a 4 1/2-furlong dash, one in a regular sprint and the other going
two turns.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 824 | |
| DIRT: | 564 | |
| TURF: | 260 | |
| FAVORITES: | 315 (38 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 161 (20 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 42 (16 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 128 (23 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (6/4)
5TH — GOMO (Uncle Mo) dueled early, took a short lead turning for home and
tired some in the lane finishing third in her debut. The Doug O’Neill-trained
juvenile filly took a lot of early money and will be tough next out, exiting
what we thought was a nice field.
6TH — KISS AT MIDNIGHT (Decarchy) was well reserved early and showed a huge
turn of foot putting this field to rest, recording a powerful tally for Richard
Baltas. The sophomore miss was easily best and looms a big chance right back.
Friday (6/5)
6TH — We tabbed NYQUIST (Uncle Mo) going into this race and the juvenile
colt made us look good with a game and powerful debut win for O’Neill. The
$400,000 purchase overcame the rail post and pressure throughout to hold off a
short-priced favorite in the lane and could be a nice one.
Saturday (6/6)
3RD — LOOK TWICE (Lookin at Lucky) got on even terms in midstretch and
inched clear inside the final furlong, graduating at first asking for trainer
Carla Gaines. The sophomore colt came home in a fast time, defeating a pair that
appears to have some ability, and we expect to hear a lot more from the colt
with expected improvement going forward.
Sunday (6/7)
1ST — The Gary Sherlock-trained LONDON LEGACY (Grace Upon Grace) swept to
the front turning for home and exploded late in posting a daylight maiden tally
under Rafael Bejarano. The three-year-old gelding came home very swiftly and
might evolve into a nice one with more seasoning.
3RD — Glad to see PROSPECT PARK back racing and given he may have needed
one, we thought he gave a nice account of himself. The talented sophomore
figures to be heard from quite a bit this summer and fall for Cliff Sise Jr.
A Look Ahead
A pair of graded races on Saturday will lead the way at Santa Anita. The
$400,000 Shoemaker Mile (G1) is the headliner and will be joined by the $100,000
Adoration Stakes (G3).