SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
APRIL 2, 2014
by John Mucciolo
A single graded race topped the week at Santa Anita.
Tokyo City Cup (G3): Gallant Stable’s MAJESTIC HARBOR (Rockport
Harbor) made a big move approaching the turn for home and poured it on through
the lane in a convincing three-length score for conditioner Sean McCarthy. The
six-year-old capped off 1 1/2 miles on the fast main oval in 2:29 4/5 under the
guidance of Tyler Baze.
Track Stats
From a total of 34 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the
past week, favorites won at a 35 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 65 percent of the wins. From 21 frays contested on the dirt oval,
six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (29 percent), while two of the 13 grassy
tilts were taken all the way on the front end (15 percent).
We thought both ovals played reasonably fairly all week, with speed on the
dirt best on Thursday when three of the five main-track races were taken all the
way by the early leader. But two of those winners were favored, so they made
sense, as well.
Keep an eye on the racing on the dirt this week with the Santa Anita Derby
upon us, as the oval often plays fast during the big days here. We might lean
toward favoring speed until proven otherwise this week.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 506 | |
| DIRT: | 338 | |
| TURF: | 168 | |
| FAVORITES: | 168 (33 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 123 (24 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 37 (22 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 82 (24 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (3/27)
3RD — DO SOME MAGIC (Bertrando) got the jump in the lane and held off a
pretty stern test late in a useful maiden run under Brice Blanc. The
four-year-old gelding came home pretty swiftly in this one in what we think will
be a key race.
UNUSUALLY GREEN (Unusual Heat) was a fine second from off the pace today and
just had the misfortune of running into a nice winner or he would be a graduate.
The Mike Puype trainee has really elevated his game from a pair of turf routes
as of late and he shouldn’t be a maiden for long.
HEAT FLASH (Unusual Heat) was blocked for a while before shaking loose and
finishing a decent third behind a top pair we like some for conditioner Barry
Abrams, who has been cold at the meeting. This one could graduate next time with
a clear run.
5TH — PUTAHEXONHER (Bellamy Road) might have defeated a very deep field in
this wire-to-wire romp, but the Eric Kruljac trainee looked really good in doing
so and we think this barn found a niche for the four-year-old filly.
Friday (3/28)
7TH — PATHWAY TO YES (Yes It’s True) ran off to another sharp win for
trainer Dan Blacker and the gelded sophomore could evolve into a stakes type
after showing a lot of promise to this point.
Saturday (3/29)
1ST — BIG BREAK (Mr. Big) surely looked the part in this debut run and while
we have little idea what was in this field, trainer Art Sherman doesn’t often
have his youngsters cranked up early on, so we’ll keep an eye on the sophomore
miss.
3RD — INDIAN SAFARI (Indian Charlie) overcame the tricky rail post at first
asking to dust this field in completing six panels in 1:09 2/5, racehorse time
for a debuter. The Mark Glatt-trained sophomore filly could be one to watch.
Sunday (3/30)
7TH — FURY KAPCORI (Tiznow) returns to this list after a third straight
score on the main oval here, finishing up in a very solid time for conditioner
Jerry Hollendorfer once again. The in-form four-year-old should be graded stakes
bound very soon, if not next time.
8TH — HEAR THE GHOST (Ghostzapper) looked good in his turf debut for
Hollendorfer in taking a lead late only to be outkicked in a runner-up showing.
The four-year-old also improved with the addition of blinkers and could be set
up for a win next time.
A Look Ahead
The Grade 1, $1 million Santa Anita Derby tops a big day of racing on
Saturday at Santa Anita. Also on tap is the Grade 1, $400,000 Santa Anita Oaks
and the Grade 3, $150,000 Providencia Stakes.