SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
APRIL 2, 2015
by John Mucciolo
A single graded tilt headlined the week of racing at Santa Anita.
Tokyo City Cup (G3): Westrock Stables’ SKY KINGDOM (Empire Maker) pressed
the early pace, got a head in front at the mile marker and drove home a facile 5
3/4-length victor of this race for conditioner Bob Baffert. The six-year-old
Kentucky-bred endured 1 1/2 miles on the fast main strip in 2:28 4/5 with Martin
Garcia in the controls.
Track Stats
From a total of 34 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the
past week, favorites won at a 47 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 62 percent of the wins. From 24 frays contested on the dirt oval,
six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (25 percent), while three of the 10
grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end (30 percent).
Speed on the main oval was good for a third straight week and we will give an
edge to forwardly placed runners going forward. This strip was benefiting
closers for a while but has gotten back to normal, for us, anyhow.
Of the six wire jobs on the dirt, five came in sprint runs. Two of the three
turf wire-to-wire winners came through in downhill dashes, also.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 483 | |
| DIRT: | 334 | |
| TURF: | 149 | |
| FAVORITES: | 180 (37 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 90 (19 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 21 (14 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 70 (21 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (3/26)
5TH — BROTHER SOLDIER (Brother Derek) was chasing in second behind a clear
one to late stretch and gamely stayed on and wore that foe down late in a very
strong tally for conditioner Richard Baltas. The four-year-old gelding should be
a factor right back on a slight class rise, perhaps, and a bit of extra ground
might work for him as well.
6TH — A layoff of more than 15 months was no issue for Bob Baffert’s
talented FIVE PALMS (Unbridled’s Song), who took command at the top of the lane
and powered home a decisive allowance victor under Martin Garcia. The
five-year-old is of stakes quality and should be heading there in a start or
two.
Friday (3/27)
2ND — L X SUNRISE (Kodiak Kowboy) was involved early and held well for
second under the wire in another decent showing at this level. The Michael
Pender-trained filly loves running second, and while she may never break
through, but she is mostly dependable to fire her best shot and a key exotics
piece every time she runs.
6TH — ABBEY VALE (Moss Vale) tracked in a nice spot to the top of the lane,
inched to the lead nearing midstretch and closed with fine energy to make a
winning return off the 11-month layoff. The Phil d’Amato trainee beat a solid
field like a good thing today and should be stakes bound with another run to add
fitness.
Saturday (3/28)
5TH — We liked CODACIOUS (Desert Code) a lot going into this race and he
delivered with a breakout performance, dusting her maiden foes with ease in the
lane. The Cliff Sise pupil didn’t beat a great field but did so with authority,
and she should be a player with winners in her comeback appearance.
MAJOR RAGER (Tribal Rule) tracked the winner while second to the top of the
lane before tiring late, but this is the type that could improve a big deal in
her second lifetime outing next up. Trainer Eric Kruljac doesn’t win first out
of the box that often, so tab this one for success going forward.
6TH — We tabbed MAY B (Werblin) as one to watch a few runs back, and while
the Mike McCarthy charge showed little in his last pair, he came back with a
strong run here and almost lit up the toteboard for us when second. The gelding
is a solid sprinter when on his game and this was an encouraging performance in
a well-matched field.
A Look Ahead
The $1 million Santa Anita Derby (G1) will headline a big day of racing on
Saturday at Santa Anita. Also carded is the $400,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G1),
$150,000 Providencia Stakes (G3), $200,000 Echo Eddie Stakes, $200,000 Evening
Jewel Stakes and $75,000 Thunder Road Stakes.