SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
JUNE 24, 2015
by John Mucciolo
There was a single graded affair at Santa Anita this past week.
Summertime Oaks (G2): Hronis Racing LLC’s STELLAR WIND (Curlin) wore down a
stubborn foe in the latter stages to post a nose victory in this affair for
conditioner John Sadler. The superb sophomore filly got 1 1/16 miles in 1:42 2/5
under the guidance of Victor Espinoza.
Track Stats
From a total of 34 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the
past week, favorites won at a 44 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 70 percent of the wins. From 22 frays contested on the dirt oval,
just two animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (9 percent), while one of the 12
grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end (8 percent).
The best part of the dirt oval appeared to be a path or two off the rail, as
speed did not dominate and 15 of the 22 winners on the main oval broke from
posts 4-through-6. With that said, we did witness a lot of winning favorites and
a few runners battle back after being passed on the rail, so we can’t call it a
major bias.
The lone turf wire job came in a route run, and stalkers closers did best
this past week.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 892 | |
| DIRT: | 604 | |
| TURF: | 288 | |
| FAVORITES: | 345 (39 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 177 (20 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 46 (16 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 135 (22 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (6/18)
1ST — Julio Canani’s DIVINA COMEDIA (Footstepsinthesand) aced her dirt debut
with a commanding 4 3/4-length romp in the opener under Joe Talamo. We don’t
know if the four-year-old filly beat much in here, but she looked the part and
could have found her niche.
4TH — SPIRIT OF TEN (Ten Most Wanted) was sent off as the big choice and
delivered as a favorite should, posting a convincing score for conditioner Phil
d’Amato. The four-year-old filly is in sharp form and must be given a chance
right back wherever she lands.
6TH — UPTOWN TWIRL (Twirling Candy) led, was headed in the lane and came
back to record a nice debut tally under Victor Espinoza. The juvenile filly cost
a bundle and got things off to a good start before her next, an expected stakes
try.
TIZ A TOMMY TOWN (Speightstown) made the winner work every step of this dash
in a sharp debut showing and the Jerry Hollendorfer pupil should be graduating
before long.
Friday (6/19)
1ST — URLOVENEVERFAILS (Ministers Wild Cat) took a short lead in midstretch
but couldn’t hold off the favored winner in this debut dash under Fernando
Perez. The Hollendorfer-conditioned sophomore did finish more than six lengths
clear of third at a tricky distance for a first timer and we have to think this
is another who will be sitting on a win in her subsequent outing.
8TH — TANGELO (Square Eddie) finally broke through at this level after a lot
of close runs, spurting clear and waltzing home a 3 1/4-length heroine. The Ben
Cecil trainee is pretty consistent and should be a player on the class rise next
time out.
Saturday (6/20)
5TH — CASSANDRAS CHASE (Midshipman) moved out at the top of the lane and
finished up well, posting a solid second in a good debut for trainer Richard
Baltas. The three-year-old filly exits a pretty good field in our view and we’ll
be playing her in her return.
7TH — We’ve backed SOUL DRIVER (Street Boss) in his last few and were
rewarded when the Jeff Mullins trainee aired over this field with a punishing
late run. The talented sophomore colt finished 4 1/2 lengths clear under the
line and might be ready for a big second half of 2015.
8TH — TARA’S TANGO (Unbridled’s Song) proved that she will be a serious
player this summer in the two-turn races with a huge second for Hollendorfer.
The high-quality filly has never been worse than second in her lifetime and made
a real good one work every step of the stretch.
A Look Ahead
A huge day of racing will take place on Saturday at “The Great Race Place.”
The topper of four graded races is the $500,000 Gold Cup Stakes (G1). Also on
tap is the $300,000 Triple Bend Handicap (G1), $200,000 Royal Heroine Stakes
(G2) and $100,000 Senorita Stakes (G3).
Sunday will play host to the $150,000 San Juan Capistrano Invitational Stakes
(G3).