SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
APRIL 14, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
In addition to carding the much-anticipated Santa Anita Derby (G1) on
Saturday, Santa Anita Park also presented the Arcadia H. (G2) for four-year-olds
and up at a mile on grass. The race featured Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) hero SINGLETARY (Sultry Song),
who was dispatched at 2-1 odds despite his lofty accomplishment last fall as favoritism
fell upon Buckland Manor (Bien Bien), who
finished ahead of Singletary in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) in March.
Singletary was able to rebound from a non-descript
seventh-place finish in his seasonal bow, recording a decisive one-length victory over Sweet
Return (GB) (Elmaamul), who edged Buckland Manor for second.
Trained by Donald Chatlos Jr., the five-year-old winner stalked an ordinary pace dictated
by Sweet Stepper (Candy Stripes) down the backstretch. Jockey Alex Solis,
deputizing for an injured David Flores, asked Singletary for a bit more run on
the far turn and his mount responded by seizing command at the six-furlong mark.
The bay horse eventually spurted away to what proved to be an insurmountable advantage in the
stretch and had more than enough gas left in the tank to turn back all
challenges.
Sweet Return ran in good striking position throughout the race and
finished well to nose out Buckland Manor for the place. Buckland Manor was
trapped along the inside while tracking a modest pace down the backstretch,
hindering him from producing his best effort in the Arcadia. He was finally able to
secure some running room as the field turned for home, but it mattered little as
he could not threaten Singletary, who negotiated the final furlong in a rapid
11.25 seconds.
Make no mistake about it, the Santa Anita Derby was the main attraction on
this day. The race showcased the filly Sweet Catomine (Storm Cat), who would be
making her initial start against males. With little left to prove against her
own sex, her connections held firmly to the belief that this would be an
opportune time to tackle the boys. They couldn’t have been more wrong!
Sweet Catomine was installed as the even-money favorite as everyone anxiously
awaited the start of the Santa Anita Derby. There was a three-way battle for the
early lead shortly after the field broke from the gate, with BUZZARDS BAY (Marco
Bay) racing the widest of the three runners vying for command. Buzzards Bay and
General John B (Sweetsouthernsaint) continued their fight on the front end
around the far turn as Customer (Silver Charm), who was also a part of the early
pace scenario, began to wilt. Wilko (Awesome Again), the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
(G1) winner, continued his wide trip entering the stretch as he set sail for the
leaders. Around this time, Giacomo (Holy Bull) had begun to launch a rally, as
did Sweet Catomine, setting the stage for a cavalry charge to the wire. It never
happened.
Buzzards Bay and General John B held determinedly to the finish, with the former
coming out on top by a half-length. Wilko simply lacked the response necessary
when called upon to overhaul the top two finishers, although he was only beaten
a nose for second money. Giacomo failed to kick in as well and finished fourth.
Sweet Catomine was merely a shell of her former self and had no punch
whatsoever in the stretch in a truly uncharacteristic effort. She wound up
checking in fifth.
The result of this year’s Santa Anita Derby did nothing to clear up an
already murky Kentucky Derby (G1) picture. Whether any of these runners
eventually make it to Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May remains unresolved at this time.
What is even more uncertain is the impact, if any, they would have on this year’s Run for the Roses.
On Sunday, older fillies and mares took to the grass to contest the Las
Cienegas H. (G3) at 6 1/2 furlongs. In stark contrast to the Santa Anita Derby
result, this race was extremely formful with ELUSIVE DIVA (Elusive Quality)
overpowering eight rivals to win by four widening lengths. The winner benefited
by a return to a grass sprint as she chased a very lively pace down the hillside
turf course. She seized the lead after entering stretch and pulled away to a
popular victory as the 6-5 favorite. Quero Quero (Royal Academy), who raced in
eighth position after a half-mile, outfinished Winendynme (Dynaformer) in the
stretch as the 3-1 second choice in the wagering.
Pat Valenzuela now sits atop the jockey standings, leading both Tyler Baze
and Rene Douglas by five victories. Garrett Gomez and Victor Espinoza round out
the top five.
Doug O’Neill has leading trainer honors sewn up and it appears Jeff Mullins
will finish second. Bob Baffert remains in third place ahead of Bobby Frankel,
who continues to hold down the fourth spot.
The main track played quite uniformly to begin the week, although it appeared
speed favoring from Friday on. There were no path biases all week. The turf
course played to speed early the week and appeared bias free over the weekend.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (4/6)
3RD – AMERICAN LIBERTY (Storm Cat) was an improved third switching back to
grass. He finished with interest in a swiftly run turf sprint and may eventually be
stretched out to a route of ground on dirt as both of his main track wins came
at Hollywood Park going 1 1/16 miles.
6TH – LA CREMA (Kris S.) put forth a good effort in her well bet/well meant
turf debut, switching to rating tactics. She tracked a pedestrian pace and
gained the show in a race that quickened noticeably late. A full sister to the
Grade 3-placed Andover Lady, whose three career victories came on grass, she
should improve with experience and added distance.
Thursday (4/7)
2ND – HOPE FOR (Rahy) displayed a useful effort in her debut closing for
second late vs. an odds-on winning favorite. Raced a bit erratically in the
stretch while “green” and finished under modest encouragement to gain the place.
Should have derived beneficial conditioning and experience from this race and
has the pedigree to relish a route of ground.
6TH – THUNDER’S ECHO (Swiss Yodeler) was a good fourth off a prolonged
layoff. She relaxed nicely off the early pace down the hill, floated wide
entering the stretch and finished evenly once switching to her proper lead.
Appears to be better suited to dirt, especially at Hollywood Park where she
trains and is also the course of her most recent victories.
Friday (4/8)
2ND – SYLVAN HILL (Mt. Livermore) had a tough trip stretching out to a route
of ground. Forced to steady between rivals early on and was then rank.
Eventually made the lead between calls on the far turn and gave way. Would
probably benefit from a return to a sprint.
3RD – MEMOGRAM (Memo [Chi]) was ambitiously spotted off the Bill Spawr claim.
Finished with good energy after disputing a quick pace racing three-wide. Won
the pace battle but lost the war to a fresh closer.
8TH – RUNNING FREE (Soft Gold [Brz]) was arguably best resorting to rating
tactics. Carried wide around clubhouse turn, he continued to race wide down the
backstretch and remained widest of all dispensing a strong rally around the far
turn and into the stretch. Hit the front in midstretch but could not contain a
perfect-trip closer who saved ground throughout.
Saturday (4/9)
3RD – Buckland Manor was hampered by soft fractions while trapped
along the rail. Could not improve his position in the stretch in a race that
quickened noticeably late.
8TH – DESERT BOOM (Boomerang) was a strong second shipping down from Bay
Meadows. Closed with interest while switching to rating tactics and appears to
be at his best racing closer to the front end.
Sunday (4/10)
1ST – SAVANNA CHARM (Silver Charm) easily handled an overmatched field of
basement level maiden claimers off the shelf. Responded well to rating tactics
and drew away with complete authority. Could repeat this effort if facing
restricted starter allowance rivals in her next start.