SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
DECEMBER 31, 2009
by John Mucciolo
A pair of Grade 1 events headlined opening weekend at Santa Anita.
Malibu S. (G1): Bernstein et al’s homebred M ONE RIFLE (One Man Army) became the third
straight Golden State-bred winner, fourth in the last five years, of this race with a facile front-running win
beneath pilot Mike Smith. The Bruce Headley charge drilled seven panels in 1:21
to post his initial graded victory.
La Brea S. (G1): Halo Farms et al’s EVITA ARGENTINA (Candy Ride [Arg]) inhaled her foes while
widest in the lane en route to a decisive, two-length score for trainer John
Sadler. The accomplished late runner went seven-eighths one the main oval in 1:21 3/5
under the guidance of Joel Rosario.
San Gabriel H. (G2): Johanna Geln-Teven’s PRODUINSKY (Ger) (Silvano [Ger]) notched his second
straight win in this race by holding on gamely through the lane under Rafael
Bejarano. The Humberto Ascanio trainee covered nine grassy panels in a smart
1:46 4/5.
Sir Beaufort S. (G3): Don Van Racing’s THE USUAL Q T (Unusual Heat) rolled to his sixth straight
win with a measured one-length tally for trainer James Cassidy. The top
grass three-year-old strode one mile on the firm ground in 1:34 2/5.
Track Stats
From a total of 27 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the three-day
week, favorites won at a 26 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 59 percent of the wins. From 18 frays contested on the Pro-Ride
oval, three animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (17 percent), while two of the
nine grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (22 percent).
The difference between this oval and the one at the recently run Hollywood
meet seems evident to us — leading at every call is much more difficult on the
Pro-Ride. And, giving up ground does not hurt as much here as it often did at
Hollywood.
From a post position standpoint, only one winning animal broke from the
innermost three posts on opening day from 10 races. Monday was nearly opposite,
as five of the eight winners lefts inside gates. We’ll wait to get a bigger
sample of races before making any judgments.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 27 | |
| PRO-RIDE: | 18 | |
| TURF: | 19 | |
| FAVORITES: | 7 (26 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 9 (33 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 2 (22 percent) | |
| PRO-RIDE WIRE: | 3 (17 percent) |
Post Positions (wins):
| RAIL: | 5 | |
| 1-3: | 10 | |
| 4-6: | 9 | |
| 7-out: | 8 |
HORSES TO WATCH
Saturday (12/26)
6TH — Former Watch List runner CARACORTADO (Cat Dreams) proved that he can
negotiate two turns with a sharp win in here for owner/trainer/breeder Michael
Machowsky. We’d love to see the talented gelding attempt open foes.
7TH — GALLANT SON (Malabar Gold) proved on this day that he belongs on the
lawn after a solid runner-up effort in this one. The grassy stakes winner would
be very tough against listed foes on the green.
8TH — AMAZED BY GRACE (Bowman’s Band) rewarded her connections with a Grade
1-placing in her synthetic and West Coast debut for conditioner Guadalupe Preciado. The impressive sophomore could have a big 2010 if she keeps her
current form.
9TH — SUPREME SUMMIT (Cactus Ridge) lost all chance with a poor break but
rallied steadily to notch fourth after settling in last behind a clear leader.
The speedy sophomore belongs at the graded level.
Sunday (12/27)
6TH — GOOD MEASURE (Maria’s Mon) ran a nice third in his debut while taking
money for trainer Carla Gaines, and we expect the soon-to-be four-year-old to be
in the winner’s circle before long.
7TH — We expected better from CHEROKEE ARTIST (Cherokee Run) in here, but
we’ll await the colt’s return to the Pro-Ride before backing him with
confidence.
Monday (12/28)
2ND — DREAM EMPRESS (Bernstein) was left with too much to do in the lane in
her first off a long break, but the Kenny McPeek-conditioned filly should be set
up for a big move forward in her next engagement.
A Look Ahead
The $150,000 San Gorgonio H. (G2) and $100,000 Monrovia H. (G3) are the
features over the Holiday weekend at “The Great Race Place.”