SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
JANUARY 28, 2015
by John Mucciolo
There were no graded tilts during the fifth week of racing at Santa Anita.
Track Stats
From a total of 27 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the
past week, favorites won at a 37 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 63 percent of the wins. From 17 frays contested on the dirt oval,
two animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (12 percent), while none of the 10
grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end.
Speed was not dominant by any means on the main oval, but laying close early
was still a good ingredient over the dirt strip.
After a week with big results for early runners on the lawn, things got back
to normal as late runners had the majority of the success on the green.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 174 | |
| DIRT: | 121 | |
| TURF: | 53 | |
| FAVORITES: | 68 (39 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 36 (21 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 5 (9 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 28 (23 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Friday (1/23)
2ND — CONQUEST SUPERSTEP (Super Saver) did have a perfect trip tracking a
slow pace, but we loved the way the Mark Casse trainee leveled off late and
increased her edge inside the final furlong. The sophomore filly has a lot of
potential and could likely handle any surface thrown her way.
8TH — FABULOUS FIT (Marino Marini) broke slowest but soon got to the front
and rolled home a fine winner in this dash for conditioner James Cassidy. The
six-year-old mare showed little-to-no rust after being unraced in more than two
years, and she could be any kind going forward if properly placed.
Saturday (1/24)
2ND — PROHIBITION REPEAL (Benchmark) wad done in by a poor start from the
rail which cost her all chance at the win, yet the Eric Kruljac charge put in a
nice run in the lane and just missed second while well clear of third. We will
tab the gelding to get the job done next time if in a similar of lesser spot.
3RD — FOREST CHATTER (Dixie Chatter) followed up a huge maiden tally with a
fine score in this run for Richard Mandella, winning with authority under Mike
Smith. The four-year-old gelding will likely be stakes bound with further
development.
7TH — We tabbed GO WEST MARIE (Western Fame) in this dash following her
superb route turf win most recently and she delivered with a huge late run en
route to a fine stakes tally for conditioner Eddie Truman. The peaking
four-year-old loves this venue and has surely never been better.
10TH — POWERFUL GIRL (Marino Marini) made a sweeping move to take a nice
edge in the lane and just missed to a class dropper in a fine effort for trainer
Hector Palma. The sophomore filly was more than two lengths clear of her nearest
foe and should be graduating before long with improvement.
Sunday (1/25)
4TH — We liked WHY TWO (Bob and John) in this heat following a tardy
beginning and late run in his debut, and the Mike Machowsky trainee delivered
with a big run to graduate over a field we thought was solid. The sophomore colt
could improve going longer and is one to watch going forward this spring.
6TH — Euro import PRIZE EXHIBIT (GB) (Showcasing [GB]) made a fine start to
her sophomore season and could be a major player in the turf stakes for
three-year-old fillies this season. The James Cassidy charge has run a pair of
nice ones on U.S. soil and we wouldn’t take her lightly.
9TH — Bob Baffert’s SUM MIDNIGHT STAR (Midnight Lute) surely appreciated the
drop down in with claiming foes in this spot with a superb score to close out
the weekend. The four-year-old came home fast and should be very tough with
starter foes in his likely next outing.
A Look Ahead
Four graded races will take place at Santa Anita this weekend. Saturday plays
host to a trio — $300,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (G1), $200,000 Palos Verdes
Stakes (G2) and $200,000 Arcadia Stakes (G2). Sunday’s headliner is the $200,000
San Vicente Stakes (G2) for three-year-olds and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)
winner Texas Red (Afleet Alex) is expected to make his 2015 bow in the
seven-furlong test.