SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
MARCH 9, 2011
by John Mucciolo
An eventful running of the historic Big ‘Cap headlined a big Saturday at the
Great Race Place.
Santa Anita H. (G1): Lannni Family Trust et al’s GAME ON DUDE (Awesome Again) took the lead
approaching the final turn, was bumped repeatedly in early stretch, got passed
inside the final sixteenth and surged back late to win under Chantal Sutherland.
The Bob Baffert trainee got up by a nose and completed the 10 furlongs on the
fast main oval in a strong 1:59 2/5.
Santa Anita Oaks (G1): Blinkers On Racing et al’s TURBULENT DESCENT (Congrats) took command in early
stretch and gamely kicked on late to prevail in this one for Mike Puype. The
multiple Grade 1 heroine got 1 1/16 miles in a solid 1:41 under David Flores, to
post the neck victory. Her connections said afterward that they don’t plan on
running in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1): Patricia Bozzano’s FLUKE (Brz) (Wild Event) slipped through an opening along
the inside in the lane and bravely held off all comers en route to a narrow win
in this one beneath Rafael Bejarano. The six-year-old sped one mile on the firm
lawn in 1:33 2/5 for conditioner Humberto Ascancio.
Track Stats
From a total of 36 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the four-day
race week, favorites won at a 33 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 64 percent of the wins. From 22 frays contested on the dirt oval,
just two animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (9 percent), while five of the 14
grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (36 percent).
Speed didn’t carry all week on the main oval, and outside posts dominated as
well. From 22 dirt runs, 19 of the winners broke from post four or wider, with
only a trio of winners leaving from the innermost three post positions. Stalkers
and closers fared quite well.
The turf oval saw five winners lead at every call, but four of those were
especially logical horses and we’re not about to say the turf oval is biased. In
addition, the moisture in the ground the past few weeks has something to do with
it, we believe.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 389 | |
| DIRT: | 280 | |
| TURF: | 109 | |
| FAVORITES: | 144 (37 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 81 (21 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 23 (21 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 74 (26 percent) |
Main Track Post Positions (wins):
| RAIL: | 31 | |
| 1-3: | 112 | |
| 4-6: | 118 | |
| 7-out: | 50 |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (3/3)
1ST — The four-year-old WEST RULER (Tribal Rule) really looked the part in
here for John Sadler, flying home late to win by daylight under Joel Rosario.
This filly must be considered a win back candidate.
4TH — The Bruce Headley-trained OFF THE WALL (Candy Ride [Arg]) may have
finally gotten it all together after posting a fine win in this one off a
lengthy break, scorching six furlongs in 1:08 along the way. The once-promising
five-year-old could be a factor against winners next out with another move
forward.
7TH — Import DAHOUD (NZ) (Scaredee Cat) broke through with a handy win
in this one for Jerry Hollendorfer, showing excellent early speed and patience
in a fine allowance coup. The promising gelding will be a major player in his
return.
Friday (3/4)
3RD — RESPLENDENTLY (Birdstone) really took to the lawn in his turf debut,
streaking home an emphatic 6 3/4-length victor beneath Brice Blanc. We’re not sure
what the Tom Bell pupil beat in here, but we came away very impressed on the
late bloomer.
5TH — KAJIWARA (Grand Slam) was confidently ridden throughout this race, and
may have been more impressive than the final margin indicates for conditioner
Steve Asmussen. The gelding appears to have a bright future as a turf sprinter.
Saturday (3/5)
2ND — WILBURN (Bernardini), a half-brother to the Grade 2-winning Beethoven,
was simply awesome at first asking in this one, posting a daylight score against
what appeared to be a very talented bunch. The sophomore colt smoked six
furlongs in a sensational 1:13 4/5, just one tick off of the track record.
8TH — AWESOME INDY (Golden Missile) ran a huge race in his debut for Marty
Jones, taking the lead in midstretch before being run down late at odds of 88-1.
The three-year-old colt will be lower odds next out we can assure, and he will
be a prime win threat, as well.
10TH — Perhaps lost in the shuffle of this marquee event was the effort put
forth by QUINDICI MAN (Came Home), who was 4 1/4 lengths clear of his nearest foe
while a close third. A huge showing by the Craig Lewis trainee.
Sunday (3/6)
7TH – The Baffert bred/owned/trained MISREMEMBERED (Candy Ride [Arg]) was
last seen taking last year’s Big Cap, but showed little rust in here, streaking
home a sharp winner over a nice field under Martin Garcia. The talented five-year-old
loves dirt and could be among the top handicap horses in training as the year
progresses.
He equaled the track mark of 1:33 2/5 for the mile.
A Look Ahead
The $300,000 Santa Margarita S. (G1) and $250,000 San Felipe S. (G2), both on
Saturday, lead the way at Santa Anita.