SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
MAY 28, 2014
by John Mucciolo
A trio of graded stakes race took place this week at Santa Anita.
Gamely S. (G1): Anselmo Cavalieri’s MISS SERENDIPITY (Not for Sale)
moved into contention in early stretch and gamely wore down the favorite by a
nose in posting an upset under the guidance of Brice Blanc. The six-year-old
mare finished off 1 1/8 miles on the firm turf in 1:46 1/5 for trainer Ron
McAnally.
Charles Whittingham Memorial S. (G2): David Heerensperger’s FIRE WITH
FIRE (Distorted Humor) continued his fine run this spring with a game victory in
the final stages of this well-matched field under Tyler Baze. The peaking
six-year-old gelding changed tactics by sitting back and making one run, and it
paid off, as he concluded 10 panels on the firm turf in 2:00 4/5 for trainer
Neil Drysdale.
Los Angeles S. (G3): Trainer Bruce Headley et al’s CYCLOMETER
(Cyclotron) edged to the front approaching the turn for home and steadily
increased his edge late in finishing off two foes, posting a 2 1/2-length tally
under Maldonado. The six-year-old California-bred endured six furlongs on the
fast main surface in 1:09.
Track Stats
From a total of 43 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the
past week, favorites won at a 40 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 72 percent of the wins. From 26 frays contested on the dirt oval,
six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (23 percent), while four of the 17
grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end (24 percent).
While the numbers were not overwhelming this past week, forwardly placed
runners on the turf continue to be especially dangerous, and we prefer this type
until it changes. Of the four who led at every call on the green, two came in
route runs and the other pair going down the hill.
The main strip played fairly to all types and horse from all post positions
in our view for the entire week, and the amount of winning favorites and second
choices supports the theory.
In the baby races at this meeting, the well-bet contenders are running like
it and we strongly suggest watching the tote board in these dashes.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 764 | |
| DIRT: | 494 | |
| TURF: | 270 | |
| FAVORITES: | 254 (33 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 199 (26 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 62 (23 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 126 (26 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (5/22)
1ST — SEDUIRE (Elusive Quality) got the jump out of the gate and never
looked back in posting a very nice debut win for conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer.
The juvenile miss held a potentially nice one at bay throughout and could have a
bright future.
ENCHANTING LADY (Tale of the Cat) did everything right but win for Bob
Baffert at first asking and we expect the $510,000 filly to be graduating before
long, likely in her next outing, after finishing 6 3/4 lengths clear of her
nearest foe while being bet down to 2-5 odds.
5TH — TOUGH BUSINESS (Harlan’s Holiday) rated kindly in second behind lone
speed, took command from that one in early stretch and strode home a fine 8
1/2-length graduate under Edwin Maldonado. The Peter Miller pupil was
professional in showing big improvement on the drop, and could be dangerous if
placed with starter foes coming right back.
8TH — KADESHA (Azamour) was last early, picked up some momentum approaching
the turn for home and ran down this capable field with a nice turn of foot in an
impressive debut win beneath Kent Desormeaux. Trainer Bob Hess is not known for
getting debuting types to fire like this at first run, so we have to keep an eye
on this one going forward, as she beat what we thought was a solid cast.
Friday (5/23)
1ST — The Dan Hendricks-trained STORY TO TELL (Bluegrass Cat) was arguably
the most impressive first-time starter we have seen at this meeting this spring
after the colt proved much the best under little urging from Joe Talamo. The
expensive sort looks worth the price tag so far and really could be any kind,
being bred to run a bit longer. This will almost surely be a stakes type in the
near future.
7TH — The Carla Gaines-conditioned HEAT TRAP (Unusual Heat) showed no rust
from a long layoff to defeat a strong field in this dash with relative ease. The
five-year-old mare looks best as a closing sprinter on the green in these
sprints and she is another who will likely be stakes bound before long.
Saturday (5/24)
1ST — We think Bob Hess made a fine claim with race winner XUANG FENG
(Speightstown), who gradually wore down the early leader in posting a second
straight solid score on this main oval. The import has really found his groove
and could be in line for a rise in class in this current form cycle.
8TH — BRANDON’S PRINCESS (Exchange Rate) got the best of a four-horse duel
early, opened up a big lead through midstretch but just hung a bit late when
finishing third in here. The filly ran a winning race in defeat and might break
through next time off the claim for Mark Glatt.
Sunday (5/25)
5TH — The Gary Mandella-trained CLICKJAB (Rock Hard Ten) didn’t break all
that well but did rally late to be a clear third in what we thought was a nice
debut effort over this quirky downhill turf course. The sophomore colt, who was
smashed down to 8-5 odds at first asking, looms a menacing figure in his
subsequent outing, either here or stretching out some on the green.
Monday (5/26)
1ST — The Blake Heap-conditioned LOST BUS (Bring the Heat) caught a flier
out of the gate and never looked back en route to a facile 6 1/4-length score at
first asking under Victor Espinoza. The Cal-bred juvenile filly had more left
under the wire and could evolve into a very nice one-turn stakes contender.
7TH — PARRANDA (English Channel) was wide throughout and couldn’t reel in
the top pair on a speed-favoring turf, yet the Hollendorfer trainee still ran
big while a clear third and has posted a pair of very good runs since joining
this barn and shipping to the West Coast. The five-year-old looks to be among
the best turf distaffers out here right now.
A Look Ahead
Saturday will play host to a pair of graded stakes races at Santa Anita. The
topper is the Grade 1, $350,000 American Oaks and it will be accompanied by the
Grade 2, $200,000 Californian Stakes.