Oak Tree Notebook

OAK TREE NOTEBOOK

OCTOBER 6, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

The prestigious Oak Tree meet began last Wednesday at Santa Anita Park, and

it promises to be another great season of racing. Six graded stakes events were

contested during opening weekend for West Coast-based Breeders' Cup hopefuls as

they received their final tune-ups prior to shipping to Belmont Park for the

World Thoroughbred Championships on October 29.

California Cup Day will serve to close out the Oak Tree meet on November 6.

There will be 10 stakes events for California-bred runners, with the $250,000

California Cup Classic serving as the day's featured event.

The opening day feature at Oak Tree last Wednesday was the Senator Ken Maddy

H. (G3) for fillies and mares sprinting about 6 1/2 furlong on the downhill turf

course. ELUSIVE DIVA (Elusive Quality) sat a perfect trip from just off the

early pace and parlayed that advantage into a decisive victory to annex the

first stakes race of the meet by three widening lengths. Chasethegold (Touch

Gold) closed well to finish second in what was easily her best effort thus far

in 2005. Abounding Truth (Proudest Romeo), a strong pace presence from the

outset, held on to finish third.

The Maddy served to whet the appetite of handicappers for the weekend stakes

events, as those contests would unquestionably be comprised of Breeders' Cup

participants. Everyone has been eagerly awaiting the return of ROCK HARD TEN

(Kris S.) to competition, and suffice it to say it was obviously well worth the

wait.

The strapping four-year-old had not been seen under silks since his Santa

Anita H. (G1) victory in March. And he picked up exactly where he left off,

emerging with a measured win in the Goodwood Breeders' Cup H. (G2) on Saturday.

Trained by Richard Mandella, Rock Hard Ten, with Gary Stevens up, was content to

track the pacesetting Roman Ruler (Fusaichi Pegasus) until midstretch. At that

point, Stevens asked Rock Hard Ten for a bit more run and his mount responded

willingly, edging past the front runner with only modest encouragement to win by

a length. Roman Ruler held gamely to save the place and it was another length

farther back to Choctaw Nation (Louis Quartorze), who finished with good energy

late for third.

MEGAHERTZ (GB) (Pivotal) once again demonstrated her affinity for firm turf

by closing determinedly from last place off modest fractions to win the Yellow

Ribbon S.(G1) going away by a length. The winner, ridden to perfection by jockey

Alex Solis, was allowed to relax early while trailing the field. She began to

find her best stride around the far turn as Solis looked for an unobstructed

path for the stretch run. There was an anxious moment at the top of the stretch

when it looked like the pocket-sized mare might get shut off attempting rally.

But Megahertz knifed her way between runners and leveled off nicely once in the

clear to post a decisive victory.

Flip Flop (Fr) (Zieten) raced in the second flight of runners down the

backstretch and split rivals in the lane to gain a tenuous lead. However, she

was unable to match strides with the winner and settled for the place in a sharp

effort. Halo Ola (Arg) (Southern Halo) closed from off the pace as well to get

the show.

The winners of these events are understandably being pointed to the Breeders'

Cup in New York at the end of the month. And, should they can reproduce any

semblance of these efforts at Belmont Park, both Rock Hard Ten and Megahertz

would most certainly have something to say about the outcome of their respective

races.

Also on the Saturday card was the Oak Leaf S. (G2) for two-year-old fillies

at 1 1/16 miles. DIAMOND OMI (Giant's Causeway), the only runner in the field to

have won on dirt around two turns, drew upon that experience to outgame the

odds-on race favorite, Wild Fit (Wild Wonder) by three parts of a length.

Conditioned by Bob Baffert, the winner stalked the pace along the inside. She

began her bid in earnest around the far turn and then refused to yield the lead

in the stretch. The runner-up raced within shouting distance of the lead

throughout, but simply could not get by the winner in her first effort beyond

seven furlongs. Golden Silk (Songandaprayer) set a pestered pace and gave way

once displaced on the lead. Madre May (Old Trieste) and Indy Miss (A.P. Indy),

coupled in the wagering at odds of 5-2, barely lifted their hooves while

switching back to the main track.

Three additional Breeder's Cup prep races were contested on Sunday, with the

Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship S.(G1) serving as the feature. Yet

another favorite was able to get the job done as FOURTY NINERS SON (Distorted

Humor) closed resolutely in the stretch to out-finish Whilly (Ire) (Sri Pekan)

by a length. The second-place finisher stalked the pace prior to seizing command

in the stretch. Despite efforts by jockey Felipe Martinez, he drifted inward

under pressure, placing another rival in tight quarters and was placed fifth as

a result of this incident.

Leprechaun Kid (Alphabet Soup) gained the lead from his rail post, dictated a

modest pace and gave ground grudgingly in deep stretch. He was placed second as

a result of the disqualification. Laura's Lucky Boy (Theatrical) finished fourth

in an even effort and was elevated to third. Sweet Return (GB) (Elmaamul)

stalked the front runner throughout, and was forced to steady while in and among

rivals in deep stretch and was placed fourth as result of the infraction.

In the Norfolk S. (G2) for juvenile runners at 1 1/16 miles, BROTHER DEREK

(Benchmark), employing front-running tactics, led the competition on a merry

chase as he made every pole a winning one en route to a game victory. Exhibiting

new found early speed, Brother Derek rated kindly while being hounded on the

front end. He was able increase his advantage to two lengths in midstretch, and

held well late as A. P. Warrior (A.P. Indy) rallied late to take down the place.

The runner-up resorted to a change in race tactics as well, closing from off the

pace in his first effort around two turns. He was 3 1/2 lengths clear of the

show horse, Jealous Profit (Trippi), who was one-paced throughout.

The Lady's Secret Breeders' Cup H. (G2) generated another formful result when

HEALTHY ADDICTION (Boston Harbor) outgamed a stubborn Star Parade (Arg) (Parade

Marshall) by a half-length. The first two finishers in the Lady's Secret showed

the way virtually the entire trip, except for when Island Fashion (Petionville)

put her head in front at the furlong marker. The winner continued on with a

purpose to eke out the victory, as Star Parade, who had dropped back a bit, dug

down deep in an effort to re-rally. Her bid fell short, but she did manage to

reclaim the place by a nose over Island Fashion.

Stalkers and closers fared best over the main track to begin the meet.

However, on Friday and throughout the weekend, early speed was preferable

sprints and routes.

Off the pace runners fared best on grass as well to begin the week on

Wednesday, but that trend all but disappeared, with the turf course playing

quite fairly over Saturday and Sunday

The outside paths were best to begin the meet to varying degrees. However,

there did not appear to be a discernible path bias over the weekend.

Garrett has a three-victory lead over Martin Pedroza in the jockey standings.

Jon Court and Alex Solis are tied for the third spot.

John Sadler has a two-win lead in the trainer standings over Bob Baffert.

Five trainers are deadlocked for third place on the list.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (9/28)

3RD – PROUD TOWER TOO (Proud Irish) finished a game second dictating a hot

pace in his Santa Anita Park debut. Was maneuvered off the dead rail and held

well to the finish to drop a neck decision.

6TH – CANDY JO (Maria's Mon) gave way in her well bet career debut setting a

lively pace towards the deeper inside. Should have derived beneficial

conditioning and experience from this effort.

7TH – PICKLE (GB) (Piccolo) turned back to a sprint, which is a low

percentage move for Sanford Shulman, but still finished a creditable fourth.

This serves as a useful sprint sharpener and the mare finished with interest

late behind a perfect trip winning favorite. Lone win in Southern Cal. came at a

flat mile in a Grade 3 stakes.

Thursday (9/29)

5TH - SIXY SURPRISE (A.P. Indy) offered a eye-catching turnaround switching

to Santa Anita Park, her home base. Exhibited new found speed to set a pressured

pace along the deeper inside and held gamely to finish third. Obviously will

need time to recover from this effort, but still bears watching nonetheless.

7TH - ARAGORN (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) was a creditable second in

his first U.S. start, his initial effort beyond seven furlongs. Raced evenly while

chasing a loose wire-to-wire winner who dictated a modest pace. Bred top and

bottom for a route, and might be able to handle dirt. Sire nearly won the

Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and his half-sister broke her maiden in a main track

distance event.

Friday (9/30)

1ST – SLEW OF THE NIGHT (Slewledo) finished a good fourth off the Carava

claim. Exhibited improved speed to dispute the early pace along a dull rail. Can

move forward in second start off a brief rest.

2ND - OUR FREE BEE (Free House) was a sharp second stepping up off the

layoff. Vied for the lead vs. a superior pace rival who dictated a hot pace.

Always proves difficult to run down when on the lead.

Saturday (10/1)

4TH - GOLDEN SILK (Songandaprayer) wound up a good third stepping up into a

Grade 2 stakes and stretching out to 1 1/16 miles. Held well dictating the early

fractions but could not keep pace with the top two finishers in the stretch.

Would benefit from a return to a sprint while dropping into a preliminary

Allowance contest.

5TH - Choctaw Nation finished a good third returning to his favorite track.

Compromised by a lack of pace over a track that played kindly to early speed

runners. Needs only a better setup to fire his best shot.

8TH – Flip Flop was a sharp second to the top race mare Megahertz off the

bench. Simply could not finish with that rival late. Should make her presence

felt in the handicap ranks this fall and winter if she remains healthy.

Sunday (10/2)

1ST - HE'S A ROCKET (Old Topper) gave an improved effort switching to Santa

Anita. Raced evenly chasing a fast pace over a speed conducive track. Remains

eligible to face limited winners.

6TH - PLUG ME IN (Hold for Gold) continues to race over his head competing

against winners while still a maiden. Clearly was not disgraced in a Grade 2

stakes. Vied for the lead through fast fractions and held remarkably well to

deep stretch, yielding the show late. Obviously would benefit from such much

needed class relief.