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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK APRIL 23, 2008 by John Mucciolo The San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (G2) was the closing-day feature at Santa Anita this past Sunday. San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (G2): Anastasi et al's BIG BOOSTER (Accelerator) did his best running in the lane when blowing by his six foes en route to a daylight win in this 1 3/4-mile marathon. Trained by Mike Mitchell and ridden by Rafael Bejarano, the respective winners in their divisions for the meet, Big Booster finished off the firm turf test in 2:45 2/5 to become the second consecutive winner in this race for Mitchell. Santa Barbara H. (G2): Warren Williamson's FOXYSOX (GB) (Foxhound) gave her best run in midstretch and held off a pair of spirited challengers to take this affair for trainer Carla Gaines. The mare, who had yet to regain her 2006 form prior to this showing, traveled 10 furlongs on the firm lawn in 2:00 2/5 under Victor Espinoza. San Simeon H. (G3): Marsha Naify's STONESIDE (Ire) (Marchand de Sable) finally broke through with a signature win on U.S. soil with a determined score in here for Julio Canani. The four-year-old had yet to make his mark in the states in four tries for Canani, but looked good in here beneath Martin Pedroza. The winner went about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill in a snappy 1:12 2/5. Track Stats From a total of 38 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during closing week, favorites won at a 33 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 52 percent of the wins. From 25 frays contested on the Cushion Track, just two animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (8 percent), while two of the 13 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (15 percent). Posts 4-6 won 21 of the 38 races for the week, while the inside three slots went winless on Thursday, and won in just two of the 11 events on Sunday. Favorites won four of the nine races on Friday, and the top two choices combined for seven of the 11 wins on Sunday. Meet Totals RACES: 697 Post Positions (wins) RAIL: 70 (10 percent) HORSES TO WATCH The following is a list of horses that impressed me at the meeting and should be watched throughout the year. DIAMOND DIVA (GB) (Dansili [GB]) had good European form, brought a ton of money at Tattersalls in December and looked like a beast in cruising home in the American Beauty H. in her U.S. debut. The James Cassidy trainee could be among the top handful of female turf distaffers out west. She looks strong in the Wilshire H. (G2) on Wednesday. We spent a bunch of time touting SUNDAY DRESS (General Meeting) over the past weeks, and we feel that, if properly placed, she can win a few at Hollywood. The six-year-old has won three-of-four starts year this year. EVER A FRIEND (Crafty Friend) "freaked" when stretched out in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) for Mike Mitchell. The gray posted a monstrous 110 BRIS Speed figure in the Kilroe and would be tough to stop with efforts like that. The question remains: was his last a fluke? ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) is phenomenal and looks capable of anything for John Shirreffs. The long-striding four-year-old has impressed a great deal in each of her four outings, but really answered a lot of questions with an Apple Blossom H. (G1) masterpiece. She could be Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) bound if she continues to improve. CROWN OF THORNS (Repent) left a big impression on me for Richard Mandella and I'm regretful that we didn't get a chance to see him on the Derby trail. The superb sophomore should return in the fall, if no sooner, and one could only hope that he returns as good or better than he was prior to the injury. He might have been the most talented three-year-old colt on the West Coast. A Look Ahead The action shifts to Inglewood on Wednesday with the opening of Hollywood Park. California Gold Rush Day is Sunday, with 10 stakes races for Golden State-bred runners.
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