SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
MARCH 22, 2011
by John Mucciolo
A rising turf distaffer made the grade on Saturday at Santa Anita.
Santa Ana S. (G2): Spendthrift Farm’s homebred MALIBU PIER (Malibu
Moon) was always well-placed and kicked on well in the stretch to post a
one-length tally in this one for trainer Carla Gaines. The steady four-year-old
got 1 1/8 miles on the good lawn in 1:48 under the guidance of Rafael Bejarano.
Track Stats
From a total of 35 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during
the four-day race week, favorites won at a 48 percent clip, and the top two
betting choices combined for 63 percent of the wins. From 26 frays contested on
the dirt oval, nine animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (34 percent), while one
of the nine grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (11 percent).
The main oval played more to speed during the latter part of the week,
especially Sunday, as it often happens when the track gets wet. We thought the
oval was pretty fair on Thursday and Friday.
Horses in the race early did well on the green during the week, even though
only one winner led at every call.
Meet Totals
RACES:
459
DIRT:
330
TURF:
129
FAVORITES:
174 (37 percent)
2ND CHOICES:
92 (20 percent)
TURF WIRE:
25 (19 percent)
DIRT WIRE:
88 (27 percent)
Main Track Post Positions (wins)
RAIL: 36
1-3: 129
4-6: 137
7-out: 64
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (3/17)
1ST — PLEASANT EARTH (Pleasantly Perfect) cut into a huge margin the
eventual winner had established turning for home in posting a sharp second-place
showing for trainer Melody Conlon. The gelded four-year-old should be live
against similar next out.
8TH — Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer must have been relieved when CHOCOLATE
CALIENTE (Candy Ride [Arg]) was not claimed out her debut after destroying this
field by 11 1/2 lengths. We’re not sure what the sophomore beat in this one, but
she looked real good in doing so and finished in a solid time.
Friday (3/18)
3RD — STAR BILLING (Dynaformer) looked the part of star at first asking with
an excellent 2 1/2-length tally in here for John Shirreffs. The well-bred
sophomore filly was always well placed and came home swiftly, and we think she
could be a real nice one with seasoning.
5TH — REGALLY READY (More Than Ready) was tabbed following his fine
allowance win, and picked up right where he left off in cruising home a facile
winner of this stakes test for Steve Asmussen. The speedy gelding finished up
about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill in a solid 1:12 4/5 and should be graded
stakes bound after this one.
8TH — ANSWER TO ABBY (Tannersmyman) ran into a good one but finished 8 1/4
lengths clear of second in a sharp runner-up try in this event. The
three-year-old gelding should graduate soon for new trainer James Kasparoff, who
claimed this one.
Saturday (3/19)
1ST — VIA VERDE (Cherokee Run) showed a new tactic in rating off the pace,
and the move worked wonders as the gelding ran past these late in a sharp effort
for John Sadler. The four-year-old was claimed by Gus Headley out of this, and
we will still keep an eye on the Kentucky-bred, even if he stretches out some.
8TH — MACLEAN’S MUSIC (Distorted Humor) was never headed in an awesome debut
performance, running his foes off their feet in running six panels in a near
track mark of 1:07 2/5 for Steve Asmussen. The three-year-old colt is out of
graded sprint star Forest Music and could have a very bright future.
Sunday (3/20)
8TH — MILDLY OFFENSIVE (Sharp Humor) has been superb in two career starts,
dominating a pair of fields for Kathy Walsh. The rising sophomore filly could
probably stretch out some, being a three-quarter sibling to graded route winner
It’s No Joke (Distorted Humor).
HOUT BAY (Harlan’s Holiday), a stylish debut winner, was clearly second best
in this one and should continue to improve for Sadler.
A Look Ahead
Saturday’s $100,000 Tokyo City Cup (G3) is the lone graded race on tap this
weekend at Santa Anita.