SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
JANUARY 20
by Bernard T. Moore
Last week marked the return of the sun, turf racing and jockey Patrick
Valenzuela to Santa Anita Park. While the sunshine and racing over grass were
welcomed back with open arms, the same did not exactly hold true for Mr.
Valenzuela.
No one in the sport has ever argued his abilities as a rider, but rather the
unsavory light that he tends to cast upon racing with his constant abuse of
illegal substances and his antics off the racetrack. With all of the recent
indictments and suspensions in New York, the persistent rumors of banned drugs
by trainers across the country, horseracing must walk a straight and narrow
path, now more than ever before. Efforts must be made to step up the policing of
the sport if it is to survive.
While everyone in life deserves a second chance, P Val has certainly had his
share, and racing should no longer tolerate his infantile behavior. It is time
for him to straighten up and fly right. Period.
There is no other industry that I can think of that continually shoots
themselves in the foot time and time again like racing. That has to stop if it
is to escape from the dark cloud of suspicion that seeming always lurks
overhead.
Valenzuela can make full use of his latest reprieve to help himself, and
Thoroughbred racing, as an anxious public looks on to await the outcome of this
latest saga. While we wish him well in his quest to regain some of the lost
luster of a career that was certainly headed toward the Hall of Fame, it is now
or never time for him. He must take full advantage of what must be his final
chance to resurrect what was once a very successful career.
The $150,000 San Rafael S. (G2) for three-year-olds was the first of two
graded stakes events on the Saturday card. Nearly everyone expected the 9-5
favorite Kirkendahl (Menifee), coming off a pair of sprints, to dictate the
early pace. However, when Kirkendahl was taken back to rate, SPANISH CHESTNUT
(Horse Chestnut [SAf]), under Gary Stevens, was not bashful about taking the
early lead. They would not relinquish that advantage en route to a
well-earned three-quarters-of-a-length victory over second-place finisher Iced
Out (Comic Strip). The winner fought off multiple challenges while setting the
pace, and was still well within himself as he withstood the runner-up’s final
run. Texcess (In Excess [Ire]) was caught a bit wide as he began his run down
the backstretch, and finished with interest late, a length farther back in
third. Kirkendahl stalked the race along the inside and dropped back badly after
entering the stretch to finish last.
Spanish Chestnut is owned by Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith of Lion Heart
fame, and is trained by Patrick Biancone. While Spanish Chestnut is definitely
on the Triple Crown trail, no immediate plans were made concerning the
whereabouts of his next race. His winning effort unquestionably stamped himself
as one of the top three-year-olds in California, although he has yet to face the
likes of a Declan’s Moon (Malibu Moon) or Wilko (Awesome Again).
The San Fernando Breeders’ Cup S. (G2) was run later the same day, and it was
an extremely contentious race to say the least. The field was paired to nine
starters as the result of three scratches, with Mass Media (Touch Gold) a slight
favorite over Imperialism (Langfuhr). When trainer Richard Mandella elected to
bypass this race with Rock Hard Ten (Kris S.), MINISTER ERIC (Old Trieste) took
full advantage of his defection to post a hard fought half-length win over an
ultra game Mass Media.
After stalking the early pacesetters, Minister Eric, with jockey Rene Douglas
aboard, obtained a tenuous lead in the stretch. He battled head and head with
the runner-up before finally asserting himself in deep stretch as he edged away
slowly. Mass Media was extremely gutsy in defeat under the returning Patrick
Valenzuela in a much-improved effort, as he once again demonstrated his
preference for racing outside of rivals. Skipaslew (Skip Away) disputed the pace
from the outset, and tired in the stretch to finish third, a head in front of
Imperialism who closed from last to finish a non-threatening fourth.
This was the first stakes victory for Minister Eric. After Mandella’s
experiment with blinkers proved to be a bust in the Malibu S. (G1), he
wisely took them off and returned the grandson of A.P. Indy to a route. The
winner was given out as a Horse to Watch in this column off his fine comeback
effort back on November 17, and returned a generous $16 to his backers.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner SWEET CATOMINE (Storm Cat)
returned to competition in the Santa Ysabel S. (G3) on Sunday, and made it look
easy as she defeated four rivals to win by a decisive 2 1/2 lengths. The winner,
who has not tasted defeat since her debut effort at Del Mar, was not completely
geared up, according to trainer Julio Canani. She had missed valuable
preparation due to the adverse weather that has plagued California in recent
weeks.
If Sweet Catomine was not 100 percent ready in the Santa Ysabel, that spells trouble
for the rest of the three-year-old filly division, and maybe the boys as well.
While the final time was not all that fast, Sweet Catomine was a convincing
winner, demonstrating her superiority under David Flores to pull away from
Pussycat Doll (Real Quiet) in the final yards. On London Time (Gilded Time)
finished a well-beaten third.
This race will serve as a useful springboard to the Las Virgenes S. (G1) on
February 12 going a flat mile. Sweet Catomine was bred in Kentucky by her
owners, Mr. & Mrs. Martin J. Wygod.
The El Encino (G2) featured a prohibitive favorite as well, with A. P.
Adventure (A.P. Indy) assuming the role as the overwhelming public choice.
Unfortunately, she could not deliver the goods as GIRL WARRIOR (Elusive Quality)
benefited from an astute ride by Victor Espinoza to win the 1 1/16-mile contest by a
head.
Espinoza’s ground saving ride was the difference as the winner raced along
the inside while tracking the front-runners down the backstretch. When the field
straightened out for the stretch run, Espinoza deftly guided Girl Warrior
through a narrow opening along the rail to pull alongside A. P. Adventure. The
pair battled gamely to the wire, with Girl Warrior coming out on top in a gutsy
effort. It was a heartbreaking defeat for the connections of A. P. Adventure, as
this race looked like it was theirs for the taking on paper. Tarlow (Stormin
Fever) held the lead in the El Encino until midstretch and then held on to
finish third.
Although Girl Warrior was bred in Kentucky, she launched her career overseas.
She continues to exhibit radical improvement since being transferred to Neil Drysdale
and switched to the main track. Her lone defeat in California on dirt came
against males at Hollywood Park where she was a prominent pace factor, a tactic
that she does not seem to like.
A special Holiday card was conducted this past Monday and featured a
stakes doubleheader as well. First came the San Miguel S., a six
furlong sprint for three-year-olds. Six runners were originally scheduled to
face the starter, but only four of them actually made it to the post. What
the field lacked in numbers, it more than made up for in excitement as GOING
WILD (Golden Missile) frantically held on at the wire to post a nose decision
over So Long Birdie (Pioneering). It looked as though the runner-up had the
winner measured in the stretch, but he continued to lug in despite an all out
effort by David Flores to straighten his course. The wire came just in the nick
of time for Going Wild, who is trained by D. Wayne Lukas for long time clients Bob and
Beverly Lewis. General John B (Sweetsouthernsaint) came on to take third.
The result of the subsequent stakes, the Santa Ynez S. (G2), wasn’t nearly as dramatic, but entertaining in its own right as SHARP LISA
(Dixieland Band) eventually pulled away from a stubborn No Bull Baby (Indian
Charlie) in deep stretch. The second-place finisher gained the lead in midstretch after tracking the front-runners down the backstretch. However, she
was no match in the end for Sharp Lisa, who boasted a strong runner-up
effort to Splendid Blended (Unbridled’s Song) in the Hollywood Starlet (G1) in
December. Hot Attraction (Pulpit) closed belatedly for the show, finishing a
nose ahead of Mother (Lion Hearted), the 5-2 second choice who gave way after
setting a pressured pace.
Doug O’Neill, trainer of Sharp Lisa, indicated that he might target the
Las Virgenes for her next start. Coincidentally, Sweet Catomine has that race
circled on her calendar as well. It should be interesting to see a match-up
between the two classy fillies.
Tyler Baze continues to sit atop the jockey standings, and holds a three-win
edge over Rene Douglas in second. Jon Court holds down the third spot, with Mike
Smith and Garrett Gomez tied for fourth on the list.
Not much has changed in the trainers’ race as O’Neill continues to lead Bob Baffert. Jeff Mullins catapulted himself into third spot over
the red-hot duo of Mandella and Ruben Cardenas.
The main track played favorably to early speed on Wednesday and Saturday. It
appeared to favor closers in routes on Thursday, but looked bias free the
remainder of the time. Turf racing resumed on Friday, and off-the-pace runners
dominated as one would expect.
Wednesday (1/12)
1ST – EXCLUSIVE (Golden Gear) put forth a creditable showing in his career
debut, competing in a race that quickened noticeably late. He set a pressured
pace and gave way slowly in the stretch to more experienced rivals. He should
benefit from his initial experience as Sadler rarely wins with his firsters.
Exclusive is bred for a sprint and to win early in his career.
7TH – TREVITE (Bertrando) easily dominated an overmatched preliminary
allowance field. He exhibited a surprisingly quick turn of foot to stalk the
early pace before drawing clear and can successfully handle a bump in class if
properly spotted.
Thursday (1/13)
5TH – PRESUMPTION (Acceptable) was a sharp second switching back to dirt on
the drop. He held gamely setting a quick and pressured pace, and fits well at
this level.
7TH – WITH DISTINCTION (Storm Cat) was a much improved second switching back
to dirt. He secured the lead in the stretch, but yielded to a fresh closer. He
should leave this early allowance condition soon, especially if he cuts back in
distance.
Friday (1/14)
4TH – EXCLAMATION (Capote) finished a creditable third in his grass debut off a
freshening. Rallying in company with the winner into the stretch, he was
subsequently placed in tight quarters by that rival. He is a half-brother to
three turf winners, and hails from a competent grass sire as well.
5TH – MYSTERIOUS CAT (Distinctive Cat) had a ton of run and nowhere place to
go in the stretch. He altered course to secure racing room, only to be placed in
tight quarters along the rail. He finished with good energy vs. a perfect-trip,
drop-down winner when finally clear late.
Saturday (1/15)
4TH – Iced Out closed well against the grain of a speed-biased
track after being allowed to drop too far behind early. He closed with good
energy while racing wide and has a graded stakes placing since being transferred to
O’Neill. He would benefit from some class relief.
5TH – ONE TWO PUNCH (Two Punch) was caught in tight quarters heading into the
clubhouse turn along the rail. She threw her head into the air when forced to
steady sharply but finally relaxed down the backstretch before looming a
dangerous presence in the stretch. She weakened under pressure in a race she
obviously needed.
Sunday (1/16)
8TH – AL YAFIL (Aus) (Secret Savings) showed a much improved turn of foot to
stalk a hot pace off a layoff. She dropped back when she lacked room in the
stretch and came again to grab the show late.
Monday (1/17)
8TH – No Bull Baby gave the Grade 1-placed Sharp Lisa
all she could handle in the stretch before grudgingly giving way late. She
definitely appears to be better suited to a sprint as this effort would
indicate.