Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

JANUARY 5, 2011

by John Mucciolo

A slew of graded action took place during the opening stanza at Santa Anita,

with the re-installation of dirt on the main oval taking much of the focus.

Malibu S. (G1): Craig Family Trust's homebred TWIRLING CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) picked up his

first Grade 1 win with a game score over a top field for trainer John Sadler and

pilot Joel Rosario. The scintillating three-year-old set a track mark for

seven-eighths when stopping the teletimer in a ridiculous 1:19 3/5, besting the

previous mark (1:20) of Spectacular Bid.

La Brea S. (G1): C R K Stable's SWITCH (Quiet American) picked up a much deserved Grade 1 win

in this one with a four-length dusting for Sadler. The three-year-old filly sped

seven-eighths on the main strip in 1:20 1/5 with Rosario in the irons.

Robert J. Frankel S. (G2): Cecil, Reddam et al's SPRING STYLE (Ire) (Pivotal [GB]) held off the 1-5 choice

after being confronted in late stretch to post the upset in this compact group

for trainer Ben Cecil. The improving six-year-old got nine grassy panels in 1:51

with Garrett Gomez.

San Gabriel S. (G2): B J Wright's JERANIMO (Congaree) proved that his future is on the lawn with a

superb, 2 1/2-length win against this fine cast. The Michael Pender charge took

command late and finished off nine panels in 1:47 1/5 under the guidance of

Rafael Bejarano.

Monrovia S. (G3): Harris Farms' homebred UNZIP ME (City Zip) continued her mastery of the filly

turf sprint division with a superb, 1 1/4-length score beneath Bejarano.

The speedy five-year-old got the about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill in 1:12 3/5 for

conditioner Marty Jones.

Daytona S. (G3): Glen Hill Farms' DILEMMA (Grand Slam) moved to the fore near midstretch and

spurted clear to defeat a sharp field in this one for Tom Proctor, registering

his first victory since November 2008. The

lightly-raced seven-year-old chestnut screamed down the hill in 1:12 1/5 beneath

Gomez.

Sir Beaufort S. (G3): Sadler capped an incredible opening day with Craig Family Trust's homebred

SIDNEY'S CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]), who demolished this off-the-turf race. The

ultra-talented sophomore colt went one mile on the main oval in a sparkling 1:33

3/5 with Rosario.

Track Stats

From a total of 61 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the seven day

sample, favorites won at a 41 percent clip and the top two betting choices

combined for 57 percent of the wins. From 49 frays contested on the dirt oval,

16 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (32 percent), while five of the 12 grassy

tussles went all the way on the lead (42 percent).

Let's begin by saying how glad we are to see dirt back at Santa Anita! It's a

beautiful thing!

The main oval was ultra-fast for much of the week, especially for the opening

few days, when track records were not safe. The oval stayed fast through the

holiday, but produced more realistic times.

Opening day saw four horses win on the main strip breaking from post seven or

wider, but only one of the subsequent 40 dirt events saw a winner break from a

wide slot. That is a substantial statistic that bears watching in the immediate

future.

We think there was an inside bias on Saturday and Sunday, with four horses

breaking from the rail going wire-to-wire, and seven of the 13 dirt tests were

wire jobs.

The turf course is hard to gauge for us at this juncture, as we've had firm,

good and yielding courses, and only 12 races were contested on the weeds.

Did we mention that we like dirt better than Pro-Ride?

Meet Totals

RACES:		61
DIRT:		49
TURF:		12
FAVORITES:		25 (41 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		10 (16 percent)
TURF WIRE:		5 (42 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		16 (32 percent)

Post Positions (wins):

RAIL:		7
1-3:		29
4-6:		15
7-out:		5

HORSES TO WATCH

Sunday (12/26)

4TH -- The Bob Baffert-trained THE FACTOR (War Front) couldn't have looked

much better in posting a most impressive, 8 1/4-length romp in his second lifetime

try. We tabbed the juvenile colt after his troubled debut but did not expect

this, a track mark in 1:06 4/5 for three-quarters.

5TH -- ARRESTING OFFICER (Officer) ran a good one in defeat, taking the lead

in the lane before being run down. The second-time starter has a bright future

ahead of him.

Monday (12/27)

1ST -- UNCLE SAM (Tapit) made a nice first impression for Baffert and could

turn into a classic type horse with more progression. The freshman handled the

rail and a route with relative ease at first asking and came home in a nice :24.

The ridgling is bred to run all day.

8TH -- We're not sure why VIOLON SACRE (Stravinsky) was sent to the front in

this one, but the tactic did not work and we won't give up on the Pat Biancone

trainee.

Wednesday (12/29)

4TH -- We liked the runner-up showing by RIVETING REASON (Fusaichi Pegasus) in

here and still think this juvenile will have a very productive future for a

crafty conditioner. Smart youngster dueled with a potentially good one until the

final yards and should improve next out.

6TH -- We had a hunch that when COURTSIDE ACTION (Action This Day) broke his

maiden at 128-1 four back it was no fluke and he has run very well since,

proving adept at handling the main oval in this second-place effort. The

gelding tries hard.

7TH -- Florida shipper GLADDING (Sarava) made good in his West Coast debut at

even money with a visually impressive win for Sadler. The sophomore

gelding could turn into a real nice one with a bit more seasoning.

Thursday (12/30)

1ST -- After a string of second-place finishes, the Baffert-conditioned STAR

PRESENCE (Forest Wildcat) got it done in her dirt debut and looks like a

promising prospect in the filly ranks this season. The freshman miss has plenty

of seasoning and would probably appreciate more ground.

2ND -- HEY ELVIS (Aus) (Clang) made a couple moves in here and was impressive

late when pulling away from a closer with all of the momentum en route to a nice

score. The Doug O' Neill-trained gelding could easily win right back if placed in a

similar level.

7TH -- VISION IN GOLD (Medaglia d'Oro) still runs like a baby at times but has

a huge stride and should develop into a stakes runner, thriving at longer trips.

She had a dream set up in here but didn't hit her best stride until shortly

before the wire.

Friday (12/31)

6TH -- Richard Mandella unveiled a top prospect in this dash in the form of

RUMOR (Indian Charlie), who annihilated this group by 6 3/4 lengths. The debuting

juvenile lass was well backed in here and deservedly so, as she ripped off six

panels in a swift 1:07 4/5.

7TH -- WARREN'S BLOSSOM (Extra) got it done yet again to further the notion

that she is a fine filly. The sophomore has never run a bad one and should be

stakes-bound soon.

Sunday (1/2)

2ND -- Unzip Me is a standout performer that looked like she can run longer at

the conclusion of this one. A fine winner over the lengthy stretch at Woodbine a

few back, the mare deserves a shot at a mile against top foes.

4TH -- RED DEFENSE (Redattore [Brz]) pulled out yet another close race to

remain unbeaten in four tries for Carla Gaines. The four-year-old gelding is now

proven on the lawn and continues to hold off foes in the lane while proving most

stubborn.

6TH -- COCKTAILS AT SEVEN (Smarty Jones) was next to last turning for home but

closed with excellent energy to be a clear second at first asking for Proctor. The sophomore filly will not be a maiden for long.

A Look Ahead

Saturday's $150,000 San Pasqual H. (G2) and the $100,000 Santa Ysabel S. (G3)

are the weekend features here.