SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
APRIL 21, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
Hollywood Park will launch its traditional spring/summer meet this Friday, as
the Santa Anita Park meet is now history. However, prior to shutting its doors
until fall, Santa Anita Park kicked off the final weekend of racing for the its
winter/spring meet in grand style by carding the San Juan Capistrano
Invitational H. (G2) at about 1 3/4 miles on the turf.
The race drew eight runners, with favoritism falling upon Exterior (Distant
View). These prolonged turf marathons seem to fit T. H. APPROVAL (With Approval)
like the proverbial glove, and he parlayed his affinity into a 1 1/2-length
score. A forward factor from the outset, T. H. Approval finally displaced All The
Boys (Foreign Survivor) on the front end shortly after entering the stretch for
the final time. He was able to remain clear at the wire with Exterior closing
belatedly to take down the place by a head over the late-rallying Fitz Flag (Arg)
(Flag Down). Stanley Park (Swain) closed to within shouting distance of the
leaders in the stretch, but failed to sustain that rally late as the 5-2 second
choice and finished fourth.
The winner, who is trained by Eduardo Inda, notched his first stakes victory
and his initial win over the Santa Anita grass course, as all of his prior
scores occurred at Hollywood Park.
Not to be undone by their male counterparts, fillies and mares took to the
turf on Sunday for the Santa Barbara H. (G2) at 10 furlongs. The heavy favorite
was the impressive MEGAHERTZ (GB) (Pivotal), fresh from a sparkling victory in
the Santa Ana H. (G2) in March. The 123-pound highweight did not disappoint her
supporters, closing from last to win going away by three parts of a length.
As usual, Megahertz lagged far behind the front runners down the backstretch.
She found her best stride around the far turn, closing resolutely in the stretch
to wrestle the lead away from Nadeszhda (GB) (Nashwan), who was game in defeat.
The runner-up had her head in front before a mile had been completed and settled
into the stretch with a daylight lead. However, she could not match strides with
the winner while clearly second best. Hoh Buzzard (Ire) (Alhaarth) completed the
all European-bred trifecta. She moved in tandem with Nadeszhda around the far
turn, but could not keep pace with that rival in the stretch in a good effort.
A prolific horse-for-the-course, Megahertz now boasts a record of eight wins
from just 12 starts over the Santa Anita Park turf course. She is trained by
Bobby Frankel, who was not in attendance for the race.
The San Simeon H. (G3) at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the downhill turf course
was the closing day feature. SHADOW OF ILLINOIS (Illinois Storm) benefited from
a very hot and contested pace on the front end produce a determined come from
behind victory under Mark Guidry on Monday. Despite a bit of a wide trip as he
was starting his winning rally, Shadow of Illinois was not deterred from his
mission, finishing with determination despite his jockey dropping his whip to
register the one-length victory. Geronimo (Chi) (Gold Tribute) also closed well
as the 5-2 race favorite, finishing a head in front of Golden Arrow (Rahy), who
stalked the lively pace and finished evenly late.
Pat Valenzuela took down leading rider honors at the meet, as Tyler Baze and
Rene Douglas finished in a dead-heat for second. Garrett Gomez and Victor
Espinoza completed the top five.
Doug O’Neill had leading trainer honors locked up long ago, it just became
“official” on Monday. Jeff Mullins finished a clear second as Bob Baffert took
down third place in the standings. Frankel and John Sadler finished fourth and
fifth, respectively.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (4/13)
4TH – AWESOME BEGINNING (Bold Badgett) has had troubled trips in both grass
starts. Forced to steady and check in the midst of her rally in the stretch
while attempting to split rivals, she would have been closer at the finish with
clear sailing.
5TH – ATOURATOURA (Tour d’Or) continues to improve off the Jack Carava claim,
finishing a strong second at the 25K level. Held gamely disputing the lead
throughout.
6TH -AWESOME DIVIDEND (Awesome Again) delivered yet another extremely
impressive win for Baffert. Hit the front with relative ease in the stretch and
drew clear with authority. Can win right back if properly spotted.
Thursday (4/14)
1ST – THREE DEGREES (Ire) (Singspiel [Ire]) was a decisive victress tackling
winners for the first time. Raced “covered up” behind rivals until early stretch
and leveled off nicely when steered to the outside for racing room to win going
away under a hand ride. Remains unbeaten in the United States and it appears as
though she might be effective stretching out to a mile.
3RD – KAYDARA (Kris S.) gives every impression that she needs more ground for
her best. Raced a bit wide in the stretch chasing home an odds-on winning
favorite who saved a ton of ground in a race that quickened noticeably late.
Would definitely appreciate nine furlongs.
Friday (4/15)
1ST – BELTLINE JACK (The Deputy [Ire]) was clearly second best making his
debut around two turns. Exhibited much improved speed to set the pace and held
gamely once displaced on the lead in the stretch by a well meant winning
favorite.
5TH – HOT MELODY (Unusual Heat) was ambitiously spotted facing multiple
winners and turning back in distance. Held well dueling on the lead and gave
ground slowly late. Eligible for softer maiden contests
6TH – CONSOLIDATED FACT (Known Fact) posted a decisive win off the Mark Glatt
claim. Took over when ready around the far turn and drew clear in the stretch.
Could handle a slight class jump in his next start.
7TH – DEL MAR TICKET (Bertrando) was probably best returning off the shelf
for trainer Ron Ellis. Bumped back to last shortly after the start. Began to
level off nicely around the far turn and then closed widest and best of all in
the stretch.
Saturday (4/16)
3RD – CAN’T BE DENIED (Afternoon Deelites) wound up be compromised by a tough
trip off a freshening. Was floated extremely wide around the first turn.
Continued to race wide down the backstretch while chasing an unusually fast pace
up front. Failed to sustain her rally late. At her best racing on or near the
lead, she probably needs a lower class level.
4TH – ROY’S LAST ROAR (Roar) finished a strong second in his well meant
debut. Was saddled with a tough outside post in an abbreviated sprint and forced
to race wide while losing valuable ground the entire way, but the sophomore
still managed to finish with interest late. Bred for a sprint and to win early
in his career.
9TH – Exterior regressed off a strong comeback win while taking a substantial
class hike. Hesitated leaving the gate and as a result trailed the field. Had to
be pushed along by jockey Alex Solis to pick up the pace down the backstretch
and closed with good energy in the stretch, but the four-year-old lacked the
necessary punch to make any serious impact. Would benefit from a freshening and
a cutback in distance.
Sunday (4/17)
3RD – CORONADO’S PRIDE (Coronado’s Quest) definitely needed his recent sprint
try off a freshening. Disputed very quick fractions on the front end before
giving way in the stretch.
10TH – Nadeszhda wound up a sharp second going 10 furlongs. Seized command in
the stretch but could not contain the brilliant Megahertz late. Just needs a
softer spot to find the winner’s circle.