SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
MARCH 11, 2015
by John Mucciolo
The Big Cap headlined a huge weekend of racing at Santa Anita.
Santa Anita H. (G1): Jungle Racing et al’s SHARED BELIEF (Candy Ride) swept
to the front in early stretch and coasted home a superb 4 1/4-length winner in
the signature race of the meeting. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, the
once-beaten champion endured 10 panels in 2:00 3/5 with Mike Smith along for the
ride.
San Felipe S. (G2): Kaleem Shah’s DORTMUND (Big Brown) kept his perfect mark
intact with a 1 1/4-length tally beneath Martin Garcia. The Bob Baffert trainee
led at every call, finishing 1 1/16 miles in a strong 1:41 3/5.
Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1): West Point Thoroughbreds and St Elias Stable’s
RING WEEKEND (Tapit) put in a big late rally from well off the early pace to
notch his first Grade 1 victory under the guidance of Drayden Van Dyke, who also
picked up his initial Grade 1 win. The four-year-old gelding was a length clear
under the wire in going a mile on the firm turf in a speedy 1:32 4/5 for trainer
Graham Motion.
San Carlos S. (G2): Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer et al’s WILD DUDE (Wildcat
Heir) was forwardly placed from the start, inched to a lead near midstretch and
held sway late en route to a three-parts of a length score under Rafael
Bejarano. The five-year-old completed seven panels in 1:21 4/5.
Las Flores S. (G3): Halasz et al’s HARLINGTON’S ROSE (Harlington) overcame a
poor break from the rail to run down her foes in the lane for a three-quarters
of a length decision for trainer Steve Knapp. The in-form filly got six panels
in 1:09 3/5 under Joe Talamo.
Track Stats
From a total of 37 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the
past week, favorites won at a 24 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 51 percent of the wins. From 24 frays contested on the dirt oval,
three animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (12 percent), while none of the 13
grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end.
For the third week in succession, horses coming from off the pace did best,
something we are not accustomed to seeing. Over the first three days of the
racing week, two runners on the main oval led at every call over 18 races, and
15 winners broke from outside posts 1-3 (83 percent).
No turf winners led throughout this week from 13 turf outings and closers
appear to have a slight edge on this surface, as well.
Trainers Richard Baltas and Steve Miyadi had fine weeks at Santa Anita, and
we would continue to ride those barns with nearly everything they saddle at this
juncture.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 381 | |
| DIRT: | 264 | |
| TURF: | 117 | |
| FAVORITES: | 142 (37 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 76 (20 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 13 (11 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 52 (20 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (3/5)
3RD — THERMODYNAMICS (The Pamplemousse) had burned a lot of money prior to
this but broke through with a solid turf tally and could be a tough next out
when facing winners. The three-year-old filly defeated elders and it looked like
she could have run longer for conditioner Dan Hendricks.
4TH — MOONLIGHT MEETING (Malibu Moon) tracked a swift early pace and pulled
clear in the lane as a much the best winner for Simon Callaghan. The
four-year-old gelding stopped the teletimer in a fairly quick final time for the
level and should be live in his subsequent outing.
5TH — SPANISH QUEEN (Tribal Rule) tracked at the rear of the field to the
top of the lane and exploded late to win going away by more than five lengths in
a fine debut offering. The Richard Baltas trainee didn’t beat much but really
could be any kind going forward.
6TH — GUY CODE (Blazonry) really made the short-priced favorite work hard in
this dash when firing from the start and just giving way late under Victor
Espinoza. The sophomore gelding has been a different animal since an equipment
change a few runs back and looms large next time after being well clear of the
show spot.
Friday (3/6)
5TH — In a field with some solid prospects, SAMMY MANDEVILLE (Rock Hard Ten)
looked like a stakes runner when going last-to-first in a big winning run for
trainer Doug O’Neill. The four-year-old colt, who was a big second to a nice one
two prior, is in lifetime form and should be headed for a black-type race very
soon.
7TH — In her first outing since the summer, the Blake Heap-conditioned LOST
BUS (Bring the Heat) overcame a wide post and being last early to inch clear
late in a strong return run. The stakes-quality filly will be tough next out as
she likely got a lot out of this performance.
Saturday (3/7)
4TH — NEVER ENDS (Successful Appeal) did nearly everything right but win
this maiden dash and the Jerry Hollendorfer trainee will surely break through
soon after a couple of big placings. The sophomore miss was well clear of the
show spot just needs a bit of racing luck.
7TH — PROSPECT PARK (Tapit) made a believer out of us with a visually
impressive late run to garner the place spot in this tilt. The Clifford Sise
pupil could be emerging as a serious sophomore at the right time, and should run
all day.
11TH — We know SHARED BELIEF didn’t top a strong field in this renewal of
the Santa Anita Handicap, but we are running out of words to describe the
gelding, who is routinely brilliant. Let’s hope the Kentucky-bred stays sharp
and in training for a long time.
A Look Ahead
Saturday will play host to the $350,000 Santa Margarita Stakes (G1), while
the Sunday feature is the $200,000 Santa Ana Stakes (G2).