Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

JUNE 24, 2015

by John Mucciolo

There was a single graded affair at Santa Anita this past week.

Summertime Oaks (G2): Hronis Racing LLC's STELLAR WIND (Curlin) wore down a

stubborn foe in the latter stages to post a nose victory in this affair for

conditioner John Sadler. The superb sophomore filly got 1 1/16 miles in 1:42 2/5

under the guidance of Victor Espinoza.

Track Stats

From a total of 34 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the

past week, favorites won at a 44 percent clip and the top two betting choices

combined for 70 percent of the wins. From 22 frays contested on the dirt oval,

just two animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (9 percent), while one of the 12

grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end (8 percent).

The best part of the dirt oval appeared to be a path or two off the rail, as

speed did not dominate and 15 of the 22 winners on the main oval broke from

posts 4-through-6. With that said, we did witness a lot of winning favorites and

a few runners battle back after being passed on the rail, so we can't call it a

major bias.

The lone turf wire job came in a route run, and stalkers closers did best

this past week.

Meet Totals

RACES:		892
DIRT:		604
TURF:		288
FAVORITES:		345 (39 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		177 (20 percent)
TURF WIRE:		46 (16 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		135 (22 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (6/18)

1ST -- Julio Canani's DIVINA COMEDIA (Footstepsinthesand) aced her dirt debut

with a commanding 4 3/4-length romp in the opener under Joe Talamo. We don't

know if the four-year-old filly beat much in here, but she looked the part and

could have found her niche.

4TH -- SPIRIT OF TEN (Ten Most Wanted) was sent off as the big choice and

delivered as a favorite should, posting a convincing score for conditioner Phil

d'Amato. The four-year-old filly is in sharp form and must be given a chance

right back wherever she lands.

6TH -- UPTOWN TWIRL (Twirling Candy) led, was headed in the lane and came

back to record a nice debut tally under Victor Espinoza. The juvenile filly cost

a bundle and got things off to a good start before her next, an expected stakes

try.

TIZ A TOMMY TOWN (Speightstown) made the winner work every step of this dash

in a sharp debut showing and the Jerry Hollendorfer pupil should be graduating

before long.

Friday (6/19)

1ST -- URLOVENEVERFAILS (Ministers Wild Cat) took a short lead in midstretch

but couldn't hold off the favored winner in this debut dash under Fernando

Perez. The Hollendorfer-conditioned sophomore did finish more than six lengths

clear of third at a tricky distance for a first timer and we have to think this

is another who will be sitting on a win in her subsequent outing.

8TH -- TANGELO (Square Eddie) finally broke through at this level after a lot

of close runs, spurting clear and waltzing home a 3 1/4-length heroine. The Ben

Cecil trainee is pretty consistent and should be a player on the class rise next

time out.

Saturday (6/20)

5TH -- CASSANDRAS CHASE (Midshipman) moved out at the top of the lane and

finished up well, posting a solid second in a good debut for trainer Richard

Baltas. The three-year-old filly exits a pretty good field in our view and we'll

be playing her in her return.

7TH -- We've backed SOUL DRIVER (Street Boss) in his last few and were

rewarded when the Jeff Mullins trainee aired over this field with a punishing

late run. The talented sophomore colt finished 4 1/2 lengths clear under the

line and might be ready for a big second half of 2015.

8TH -- TARA'S TANGO (Unbridled's Song) proved that she will be a serious

player this summer in the two-turn races with a huge second for Hollendorfer.

The high-quality filly has never been worse than second in her lifetime and made

a real good one work every step of the stretch.

A Look Ahead

A huge day of racing will take place on Saturday at "The Great Race Place."

The topper of four graded races is the $500,000 Gold Cup Stakes (G1). Also on

tap is the $300,000 Triple Bend Handicap (G1), $200,000 Royal Heroine Stakes

(G2) and $100,000 Senorita Stakes (G3).

Sunday will play host to the $150,000 San Juan Capistrano Invitational Stakes

(G3).