SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
APRIL 7, 2006
by Bernard T. Moore
Santa Anita Park will offer a twilight card on Friday, with first post at 3
p.m. (PDT). The following day, which features the Santa Anita Derby (G1), first
post is scheduled for noon.
Life, as we all know, is constantly filled with choices. It was obvious that
jockey David Flores made the wrong choice last Saturday when he opted to ride
Romeo Plus (Arg) (Alpha Plus) instead of PREACHINATTHEBAR (Silver Charm) in the
Tokyo City Cup (G3). Hindsight is always 20/20, but Preachinatthebar’s
determined one-length win had to sting Flores as fellow jockey Jon Court
benefited.
Sitting a good trip from just off the early pace down the backstretch,
Preachinatthebar began to level off leaving the far turn. He was asked for run
in earnest by Court upon entering the stretch, proceeded to draw alongside the
beleaguered pacesetters and then eventually seized command and remained clear at
the finish by a length under steady pressure. Texcess (In Excess [Ire]) raced
within shouting distance of the winner down the backstretch, but ultimately was
outrun by that rival, but continued on gamely to the finish, settling for second
money in a good effort. Melanyhasthepapers (Game Plan) closed belatedly and was
a non-threatening third. El Roblar (War Chant) trailed the field down the
backstretch as the 5-2 favorite before improving his position while racing wide
and checked in fourth. Romeo Plus was last.
Also on the Saturday card at Santa Anita was the Santa Paula S. (G3).
BETTARUN FAST (Kelly Kip) did exactly as her name suggests for trainer Vladmir
Cerin, outrunning her 31-1 posttime odds to post the upset win. Racing within
striking distance of the leaders while along the inside, Bettarun Fast made a
resolute bid along the rail in the stretch to gain command and then slowly edge
away in the final yards . El Mirage Queen (Gilded Time) was with the pace from
the outset, battled gamely to deep stretch and then yielded grudgingly to the
winner. Acceleration (Vision and Verse) closed with purpose late to just miss
the place by a nose.
SURF CAT (Sir Cat) notched his third successive victory by emerging
victorious in Sunday’s Potrero Grande Breeders’ Cup H. (G2). Saddled by Bruce
Headley, who also owns an interest in the four-year-old, Surf Cat blew past the
front runners under mild urging by jockey Alex Solis in the stretch and then
drew away to win by 2 1/4 effortless lengths.
Grinding It Out (Grindstone) won the pace battle, but lost the war after
disposing of Areyoutalkintome (Smokester) and Keep on Punching (Silver Deputy)
in the stretch. He gained a tenuous half-length advantage at the eighth pole,
but simply could not match strides with the winner. Oceanus (Brz) (Rainbow
Corner [GB]), outrun to the stretch, passed tired horses to get the show.
There were no running style biases over the main track last week. The turf
course played uniformly all week except for Sunday, when front runners dominated
the results. The outside paths appeared best on Wednesday.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (3/29)
6TH – GO AMERICA GO (Mud Route) exhibited much improved speed in her second
career start to duel for the lead along a bad rail. She held well to midstretch
before tiring and is bred on both sides of her pedigree to handle more distance.
8TH – ENDURA (Arch) was hard used arguing a very fast pace off the shelf in
her turf debut. The dark bay miss understandably tired in the stretch,
giving way to fresh closers. Her sire/dam were at their best in dirt routes.
Thursday (3/30)
5TH – BULL MOOSE (Wekiva Springs) delivered a good showing chasing an
excruciatingly fast pace off a career best effort. The gray gelding did well to
finish third taking a small step up the class ladder and fits best at the 10K
class level.
6TH – WESTERLY MAGIC (Way West [Fr]) was victimized by yet another
unflattering pace scenario at a flat mile. He did well to finish fourth in a
race that quickened late. The bay definitely needs more ground and the right
pace setup to be at his best.
Friday (3/31)
1ST – DALICIA (Ger) (Acatenango) finished a creditable second in her North
American debut. The bay miss rallied to get the place behind an uncontested
wire-to-wire winning favorite. A Group 3 winner abroad, she was at her best at 1
1/4 miles over a turf course with “give” to it.
2ND – THE DEMPSEY LOOK (Sir Cat) was an impressive come-from-behind winner in
good time. She has been reclaimed by former connections, which is definitely a
positive, and can try either turf or dirt next out.
Saturday (4/1)
3RD – EL MIRAGE QUEEN (Gilded Time) held gamely to save the place after
forcing, then setting a wicked pace on the front end. She continues to improve
for a low profile barn and possesses versatile running styles.
8TH – El Roblar regressed badly off a career-best effort in his prior start.
He raced lethargically early, lacking his usual tactical speed, and offered only
a mild response when called upon. El Roblar will probably need some time to
recoup and appears to be most effective up to a mile.
Sunday (4/2)
4TH – Grinding It Out put forth a sharp effort behind a visually impressive
winner. He held well vying for the lead throughout and remains eligible for an
early level allowance event.