SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
MARCH 28, 2008
by John Mucciolo
A pair of graded events on the lawn highlighted the week at Santa Anita.
Santa Ana H. (G2): Juddmonte’s homebred COSTUME (GB) (Danehill) earned
her second consecutive graded win at the meet with a gritty, head tally in this one for
trainer Bobby Frankel. The well-bred filly led at every call under
Garrett Gomez en route to completing nine furlongs on the grass in 1:48. The
game four-year-old miss may have some distance limitations, but she has a lot of fight in her.
San Luis Rey H. (G2): In the 48th start of his career, Robert Bone’s
BOULE D’OR (Ire) (Croco Rouge) broke through with his biggest triumph, recording a
determined score in here under Tyler Baze. The Jeff Mullins trainee, who was
claimed for $50,000 two starts prior, has now won two in a row over this sod and
has improved dramatically in his seven-year-old season. The gelding finished off
12 grassy panels in 2:25 2/5.
Track Stats
From a total of 43 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during
the week, favorites won at a 23 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 51 percent of the wins. From 26 frays contested on the Cushion
Track, just four animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (15 percent), while seven of the 17 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (41 percent).
Inside posts dominated the first two days of the week, taking eight of the 16
races, but things changed in the final three days of the week, with the inside
three post positions yielding just five winners from 27 events. Not a single runner breaking
from the rail won on Sunday or Monday.
The turf played to speed more than it has in recent memory, with five
wire-to-wire winners on the lawn from six races on the final two days of the
week. Most of these winners were expected to be tough in their respective races,
but it’s still somewhat alarming how much the turf course has favored
forwardly placed animals in recent weeks.
Meet Totals
|
RACES: |
|
524 |
|
DIRT: |
|
371 |
|
TURF: |
|
153 |
|
FAVORITES: |
|
145 (28 percent) |
|
2ND CHOICES: |
|
100 (19 percent) |
|
TURF WIRE: |
|
30 (20 percent) |
|
DIRT WIRE: |
|
66 (18 percent) |
Post Positions (wins)
|
RAIL: |
|
54 (10 percent) |
|
1-3: |
|
169 (32 percent) |
|
4-6: |
|
194 (37 percent) |
|
7-out: |
|
162 (31 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (3/20)
1ST — LITTLE YOGI (In Excess [Ire]) displayed good speed in the first
two-year-old race at Santa Anita this year for Wesley Ward, and it could be a
good steppingstone for the juvenile miss. Out of a two-year-old stakes winner
who produced a Grade 3-placed youngster with her first foal, this one should be
watched in her next effort.
3RD — GENTLE AUDREY (Elusive Quality) returned from the bench to prove best
on this day for Melody Conlon and will surely be in a stakes race next out. The
talented filly handled this surface with ease and looked good late.
5TH — FLAMINGO PRINCESS (Pine Bluff) will surely be staying on the green
following this dominant effort for Doug O’Neill. The four-year-old bay earned a
solid 86 BRIS Speed number in her turf debut, and although she didn’t beat much,
she will likely be tough in her next engagement.
Friday (3/21)
5TH — SOUL ON ICE (Soul of the Matter) put in a good closing effort in his
debut and could be a useful horse for Lisa Lewis. The three-year-old gelding had
no chance at the win but did pass a lot of runners in the lane for fourth.
Saturday (3/22)
3RD — DESERT CODE (E Dubai) has an affinity for the downhill turf course and
continues to go off at a square price for conditioner David Hoffmans. The
talented four-year-old has faced some strong fields as of late and could be
rounding back into his top form.
4TH — STYLIN DEPUTY (The Deputy [Ire]) was last early but closed by all but
one in a fine first showing for James Cassidy, who is not known for his prowess
with first-time starters. The bay filly could be pointed for the grass in her
next start, which will surely be at a longer distance.
7TH — DILEMMA (Grand Slam) was brilliant in his turf debut and looks poised
to be a big factor in grass racing throughout the year for Paddy Gallagher. The
four-year-old colt showed speed, was taken back by Garrett Gomez, and then drew
off under moderate urging in a supreme performance.
Sunday (3/22)
2ND — MALABAR STAR (Malabar Gold) overcame early trouble to dominate her foes
late under Garrett Gomez. The four-year-old has improved dramatically for
Leonard Powell; it will be interesting to see if she bounces or continues to
move up in her next start.
3RD — MR NAPPER TANDY (GB) (Bahamian Bounty) was easily best in here and
continues to impress for trainer Jack Carava. The four-year-old has been first
or second in 10-of-12 career outings, which includes three 100+ BRIS Speed
numbers.
6TH — MADEO (Mizzen Mast) made quick work of this field with a 6 1/4-length
dusting in here for conditioner John Shirreffs. The three-year-old colt showed
good ability in his debut and improved nicely into his second outing; he should
be stakes bound before long.
Monday (3/23)
1ST — GIANT GEM (Giant’s Causeway) moved up considerably on the stretch out
for Neil Drysdale, and the sophomore appears to be sitting on a win for his
expert conditioner. The chestnut saved ground while last early before flying
late to be a clear second, and a little more tactical speed next out could
catapult him to the winner’s circle.
7TH — The last-to-first PROCESSOR’S TURF (Sky Mesa) might have earned himself
a stakes try with his second consecutive score for trainer Todd Pletcher. The
expensive two-year-old purchase finished off the about 6 1/2-furlong distance in a strong 1:12 4/5
while racing in ninth turning for home.
A Look Ahead
The $100,000 Tokyo City Cup S. (G3) at 1 1/2 miles on the Cushion Track in the
headliner on Saturday at Santa Anita. Sunday’s feature is the $100,000 Santa
Paula S. (G3).