SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
JANUARY 25, 2010
by John Mucciolo
A single graded dash headlined the week at Santa Anita.
Palos Verdes S. (G2): James and Marilyn Helzer’s EUROEARS (Langfuhr)
left quite an impression in his West Coast debut with a scintillating,
front-running score in his debut for Bob Baffert. The chestnut smoked six
furlongs in a rapid 1:07 1/5 while never being threatened under Mike Smith.
Track Stats
From a total of 34 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during
the four-day race week, favorites won at a 32 percent clip and the top two
betting choices combined for 56 percent of the wins. From 23 frays contested on
the dirt oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (26 percent), while three
of the 11 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (27 percent).
Both ovals seemed just fine to us, but we are just a bit miffed that no
horses breaking from the rail won on the main oval over the past four racing
days.
While Bob Baffert has done it all meet long, it’s time to get on the Barry
Abrams and Doug O’ Neill bandwagons. Abrams can’t miss lately after a very slow
start, while O’ Neill is red hot with horses that are properly placed.
Meet Totals
RACES:
172
DIRT:
124
TURF:
48
FAVORITES:
60 (35 percent)
2ND CHOICES:
30 (17 percent)
TURF WIRE:
12 (25 percent)
DIRT WIRE:
38 (31 percent)
Post Positions (wins)
RAIL: 13
1-3:
56
4-6:
52
7-out:
16
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (1/20)
5TH — ASPERITY (War Chant) exploded late to just get up in winning his
second straight since being claimed by John Sadler. The once stakes-quality
seven-year-old is in very good form and fits perfectly at this level.
7TH — CRISIS OF SPIRIT (Vindication) had a ton of trouble in this race and
looks like she will be a very live runner in her next try for Baffert. The
four-year-old filly has a big turn of foot and should be stakes bound before
long.
Friday (1/21)
4TH — LINDA LOU (Dixie Union) was passed but fought back valiantly to just
miss in a nice try for Richard Mandella. The sharp turf sprinter deserves a long
look next out wherever she ends up.
7TH — DUBAI YOU X Y Z (E Dubai) put in another fine effort to win this and
has never run anything but a very good race for conditioner Mark Tsagalakis. The
four-year-old gelding came home in :23 2/5 and appears to be of stakes quality.
8TH — FRIGID BRIDGET (Nucay) dueled through quick splits and kept on going
in posting a sharp maiden win for trainer Dan Hendricks. The improving sophomore
lass could probably negotiate more ground in the future and should be considered
a factor next out when facing allowance foes.
Saturday (1/22)
8TH — WALLSTREETER (Street Cry [Ire]) was way back turning for home and in
trouble, but the three-year-old miss flew home in what could be a sign of things
to come for the improving Eoin Harty trainee.
9TH — HOUT BAY (Harlan’s Holiday) was always traveling well and really
looked the part late in a sharp debut tally under Joel Rosario. The Sadler pupil
could be any kind and has been one of the most impressive young fillies to race
at this meet thus far.
Sunday (1/23)
2ND — TEN DEVILS (Rock Hard Ten) couldn’t have endured a better trip, but
still hung late at short odds for Mandella while ultimately finishing second.
There is no doubting that the sophomore colt is talented, but we wouldn’t settle
for a short price on him in the near future.
4TH — JAX EL (Unusual Heat) opened up at odds-on and ran like it while
wiring this group for red-hot conditioner Abrams. The debuting four-year-old was
the easiest of winners in this one, and while this field wasn’t much, we are
still very impressed with the ability this one displayed.
A Look Ahead
The Sunshine Millions takes the spotlight on Saturday, as Santa Anita plays
host to the $300,000 Distaff, $300,000 Turf and $200,000 Sprint. Sunday’s
feature is the $250,000 Santa Monica H. (G1).