OAK TREE NOTEBOOK
OCTOBER 29, 2009
by John Mucciolo
A single graded affair on the lawn took the spotlight at Oak Tree during the
past week.
Harold C. Ramser, Sr. H. (G3): Forging Oaks Farm’s APRIL PRIDE (GB) (Falbrav [Ire]) proved much the best
against a solid cast to win this one in style for trainer James Cassidy. The
three-year-old filly drove home in 1:34 for the one mile turf test beneath
Garrett Gomez.
Track Stats
From a total of 42 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during the week,
favorites won at a 43 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for
67 percent of the wins. From 29 frays contested on the Pro-Ride oval, five
animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (17 percent), while one of the 13 grassy
tussles went all the way on the lead (8 percent).
This was the second consecutive week with a lot of winners hailing from the
first two betting options. We give some credit to the handicappers, and more of
the praise to the consistency of the main oval. Well done, and it’s good to see
a predictable surface heading toward the biggest days of racing in the United
States.
The three innermost post positions thrived all week, but some of that was
surely due to smaller fields. Early speed was once again not much of an
advantage, with four of the five wire-to-wire winners on the main strip going
postward favored.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 180 | |
| PRO-RIDE: | 126 | |
| TURF: | 54 | |
| FAVORITES: | 70 (39 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 42 (23 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 6 (11 percent) | |
| PRO-RIDE WIRE: | 15 (12 percent) |
Post Positions (wins):
| RAIL: | 28 | |
| 1-3: | 75 | |
| 4-6: | 59 | |
| 7-out: | 46 |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (10/21)
2ND — RANGER HEARTLEY (Lost Soldier) gave a fair impression that he’s too
much for this level with an authoritative, 12 1/4-length romp under Rafael
Bejarano.
The impressive runner will likely not be entered for a tag anytime soon by John Sadler.
Thursday (10/22)
3RD — While we liked the winner in here as well, first-time starter ELEGANT
(Maria’s Mon) gave an indication that she, too, can run when closing from last to
be a clear second for Bob Hess Jr. We’ll tab the miss for a win next out.
Friday (10/23)
6TH — STAND TALL (Tejano Run) is ultra-tough at this level and avoided being
claimed from conditioner Julio Canani. The five-year-old gelding can surely win
with a class rise, as well.
Saturday (10/24)
1ST — BAD BOY (Petionville) wore down a decent field to win like a good thing
for Canani, who continues to have tremendous success with class droppers. The
five-year-old gelding got 6 1/2 furlongs in a sharp 1:15 1/5.
3RD — MOON DE FRENCH (Malibu Moon) aced her first route assignment for Bob
Baffert, controlling throughout in a visually sharp performance. We have no idea
if the improving lass topped anything much in here, but she came home quite well
after proving to be rateable early under Gomez.
4TH — Kathy Walsh’s debuter BLAZING (Blazonry) was last in the lane but
closed quite well to register a fast-finishing third against a solid field in
here. The juvenile colt apparently has a bright future ahead of him.
A Look Ahead
There are no graded events this weekend at Oak Tree.