SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
APRIL 29, 2015
by John Mucciolo
A pair of graded stakes races topped the weekend at Santa Anita.
Last Tycoon S. (G3): Red Baron’s Barn et al’s SI SAGE (Sageburg) tracked in
second, swept to the front in early stretch and stayed clear in the lane en
route to a 3 1/4-length romp under Elvis Trujillo. The five-year-old endured 1
1/4 miles on the firm turf in 2:02 for conditioner Darrell Vienna.
Wilshire H. (G3): Class Racing Stable’s BLINGISMYTHING (Arch) put in a big
run in early stretch and held a few good ones at bay late in securing a nose
score, recording her first stakes tally. The Eric Kruljac trainee, who was
guided by Tyler Baze, finished off one mile on the firm lawn in 1:37.
Track Stats
From a total of 25 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the
past week, favorites won at a 20 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 56 percent of the wins. From 16 frays contested on the dirt oval,
six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (38 percent), while one of the nine
grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end (11 percent).
We thought the Sunday card featured a possible bias, playing much better for
horses coming from off the pace. All five dirt winners rallied in the lane
outside and each of those broke from posts 4-through-6. Friday, on the other
hand, yielded four wire-to-wire winners from five dirt events.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 612 | |
| DIRT: | 419 | |
| TURF: | 193 | |
| FAVORITES: | 226 (37 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 118 (19 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 29 (15 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 92 (22 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Friday (4/24)
1ST — BENTLEY’S GONE (Warrior’s Reward) left little doubt in the Friday
opener, leading throughout for conditioner Marty Jones. The sophomore colt
didn’t run especially fast but did do it with infinite ease and should be tough
for starter foes next time, assuming he lands with the sort.
Saturday (4/25)
1ST — JONNY’S CHOICE (Unusual Heat) dueled through fast early splits and
still had horse left in the lane in a pretty solid victory for trainer Mark
Glatt. The sic-year-old gelding fits well at this level and will be a player
right back if in with similar following the big class drop.
2ND — The talented WAR ACADEMY (Giant’s Causeway) showed little rust in this
dash off the long break in posting a swift allowance win under Victor Espinoza.
The five-year-old gelding could turn out to be a decent claim for Emily Mode,
even though we were pretty surprised to see him entered for a tag.
CAMINETTO (Stormy Atlantic) also impressed us with a big second behind a
sharp winner in his first appearance in some time. The lightly raced
six-year-old likes this main oval and could be even tougher next time having one
under his belt.
6TH — PAULINA’S LOVE (Mizzen Mast) certainly responded to the combination of
the barn change and addition of blinkers, dominating this field in a very nice
maiden tally. The Richard Baltas trainee increased her margin at every call in
posting a lifetime-best 92 BRIS Speed number.
8TH — SI SAGE ran the most impressive race we have seen since he imported to
the U.S. and we have to think the addition of the blinkers had a lot to do with
that. We wouldn’t take this one’s easy win lightly as he may simply be a
different animal with the headgear.
Sunday (4/26)
2ND — BELLA BREEZE (Concord Point) sped to the front early on and nearly
pulled off a nice debut win in just missing under the line. The Doug O’Neill
pupil overcame a tricky rail post first out, and though this was not a stocked
field, we expect her to graduate in the near future.
6TH — We expected that ROCKO’S WHEEL (Grazen) might appreciate the two-turn
attempt for the first time and he did just that in what we thought was a strong
allowance tally beneath Joe Talamo. The sophomore colt upended a nice one and
the top duo was well clear of their nearest foes.
A Look Ahead
Two graded races will take place over the weekend at “The Great Race Place.”
Saturday has the $100,000 Precisionist Stakes (G3), while Sunday will play host
to the $200,000 Honeymoon Stakes (G2).