SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 24, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
What projected to be a grand weekend of racing with a special Presidents’ Day
card on Monday was dampened somewhat as the Southern California
area was deluged once again by rain. The wet weather that began on Friday caused
the cancellation of grass racing, and as a result, a multitude of declarations
from these races.
The San Luis Obispo H. (G3), originally intended for grass, had to be
transferred to the main track because of the bog-like condition of the turf
course. However, the change in venue did not deter LICENSE TO RUN (Brz) (Exile
King), who proceeded to easily defeat his competition as the 3-2 favorite.
Trained by Bobby Frankel since coming to the United States, the winner took to an
extremely wet Santa Anita Park track like a duck to water.
Under Pat
Valenzuela, License to Run set up shop on the front end from the outset, before
dropping back a bit when headed on the lead. He eventually re-rallied, secured a
daylight advantage after a mile, and then proceeded to finally draw clear to win
by five widening lengths. Californian (GB) (Zafonic), a rank outsider at odds of
45-1, also benefited from the surface change to close from dead last to gain the
place, a neck ahead of T. H. Approval (With Approval), who was a part of the
early pace scenario.
License to Run, who had demonstrated a pronounced affinity for wet tracks in his
native Brazil, was able to replicate his South American form in his first dirt start in
California. Because of this victory, his connections have
alternatives down the road, especially when races are taken off the turf.
Sunday’s featured race, the Sensational Star H., was slated to be run at 6
1/2 furlongs on the turf but was also switched to the dirt. Valenzuela took full
advantage of that situation as well, teaming up with trainer Doug O’Neill to win
the sprint contest with GRAND APPOINTMENT (Unbridled). The winner reaped
immediate dividends for his new connections, as he stalked a lightning-fast pace
prior to overtaking the pacesetters in the stretch. He edged away late to win by 1 1/4 lengths as Red Warrior (Benchmark), the early
trailer, closed belatedly for the second. Excessivepleasure (In Excess
[Ire]), also trained by O’Neill, disputed the pace throughout before tiring late. Bilo (Bertrando), the 2-1 favorite, raced without incident and failed
once again to reproduce his best form over a track containing moisture.
The Presidents’ Day card produced another wet track and
yet another stakes race switched to dirt. The Buena Vista H. (G3) for fillies
and mares, four-years-old and up, at a flat mile on grass was transferred to the moisture-laden wet track, causing the race to be decimated by scratches.
Resplendency (Tale of the Cat) was a slight favorite in the wagering, primarily
because it appeared on paper as though she would be able to control the pace
from her inside post. Well, she did exactly that until when it matters most, at
the wire, as a resolute URAIB (Ire) (Mark of Esteem) nailed her in the final
strides to win by a scant nose.
The winner, trained by Sanford Shulman, who had
suffered through a forgettable Santa Anita meet up until this point, recorded
her first win over the main track. Bred in Ireland, Uraib had run well
previously over an off track, at Santa Anita in fact, finishing a good second in
the San Gorgonio H. (G3) last month.
To say that Resplendency’s defeat was a heartbreaker would be an
understatement. It was particularly tough on Valenzuela, who fell
a nose shy of scoring a hat trick over the weekend by winning all three stakes.
It was five lengths farther back to third-placer Elusive Diva (Elusive Quality), who
ultimately may be better suited to sprints.
Rene Douglas’ 39 victories at the meet are good enough to land him the top
spot in the jockey’s standings, as he holds a four-win lead over Tyler Baze.
Valenzuela continues to hold down third place as Victor Espinoza and Jon
Court complete the top five.
O’Neill continues to lead all trainers with 31 wins, 13 more than Jeff
Mullins. Richard Mandella and Bob Baffert are tied for third, while John Sadler,
Bobby Frankel and Steve Knapp are in a dead-heat for fifth.
The main track played uniformly for the majority of the week, except for
Friday and Saturday, when early speed was preferred. The turf course was honest
when it was in use. The outside paths appeared best on Wednesday, and were
honest the remainder of the week.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (2/16)
6TH – SMOKE ‘N TRIUMPH (Smokester) finished a good fourth with the addition
of blinkers off a freshening for new trainer Sam Scolamieri. She gave ground
grudgingly in the stretch after becoming embroiled in a five-horse battle for
the lead while racing along the deeper inside.
8TH – TINTINABULATION (Tinners Way) turned in a much-improved effort in her second career start.
Dropped back after a slow beginning from post 1, she gradually worked her way
forward along a dead rail down the backstretch to vie for the lead around the
far turn. The chestnut secured a tenuous advantage along the inside in the stretch and
understandably weakened under late pressure.
Thursday (2/17)
2ND – MASTER HEAT (Unusual Heat) used the wrong tactics returning from a prolonged
layoff. Settled too far behind ordinary fractions on the front end, the
four-year-old closed well
late as the race quickened. He prefers to run closer to the lead.
4TH – NINERS ROAR (Roar) improved to finish third in his second start off the shelf. Set a
rapid pace on the front end and gave ground grudgingly when displaced on the lead
in the stretch.
5TH – AWESOME JET (Awesome Again) has been compromised by extreme outside
posts in both career starts. Raced a bit wide on both turns in an encouraging
effort here while making his two-turn debut. The sophomore finished with interest late.
Friday (2/18)
3RD – DREAMS COME TRUE (Fr) (Zafonic) suffered a troubled trip in U.S. debut for
Frankel. Ran extremely well despite racing in traffic while attempting to rally,
she should move forward in subsequent efforts.
8TH – GOING HOME (Muqtarib) turned in an even effort in second career start off a long
layoff. Finished with interest late and should derive beneficial conditioning
from this effort. Fits well in a state-bred maiden claimer.
Saturday (2/19)
1ST – HEATHERINTHEMIST (Banker’s Gold) was ambitiously spotted off the O’Neill
claim. Nevertheless, she held gamely setting a fast and pestered pace while meeting
winners for the first time in her career. Eligible for a much softer restricted
starter allowance contest.
4TH – MY ONOMATOPOEIA (Wild Deputy) failed to sustain his rally after
tracking a lightning-quick pace on the drop. Obviously better suited to claimers
and has the ability to set or stalk the early pace
Sunday (2/20)
8TH – RED WARRIOR (Benchmark) dropped too far behind early and was left with
too much to do in the stretch while closing best of all.
Monday (2/21)
8TH – ELUSIVE DIVA (Elusive Quality) came up empty in the stretch after
chasing an excruciatingly quick pace around two turns. Recent form indicates she
may be most effective sprinting, whether it be on turf or dirt.