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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK DECEMBER 31, 2009 by John Mucciolo A pair of Grade 1 events headlined opening weekend at Santa Anita. Malibu S. (G1): Bernstein et al's homebred M ONE RIFLE (One Man Army) became the third straight Golden State-bred winner, fourth in the last five years, of this race with a facile front-running win beneath pilot Mike Smith. The Bruce Headley charge drilled seven panels in 1:21 to post his initial graded victory. La Brea S. (G1): Halo Farms et al's EVITA ARGENTINA (Candy Ride [Arg]) inhaled her foes while widest in the lane en route to a decisive, two-length score for trainer John Sadler. The accomplished late runner went seven-eighths one the main oval in 1:21 3/5 under the guidance of Joel Rosario. San Gabriel H. (G2): Johanna Geln-Teven's PRODUINSKY (Ger) (Silvano [Ger]) notched his second straight win in this race by holding on gamely through the lane under Rafael Bejarano. The Humberto Ascanio trainee covered nine grassy panels in a smart 1:46 4/5. Sir Beaufort S. (G3): Don Van Racing's THE USUAL Q T (Unusual Heat) rolled to his sixth straight win with a measured one-length tally for trainer James Cassidy. The top grass three-year-old strode one mile on the firm ground in 1:34 2/5. Track Stats From a total of 27 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the three-day week, favorites won at a 26 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 59 percent of the wins. From 18 frays contested on the Pro-Ride oval, three animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (17 percent), while two of the nine grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (22 percent). The difference between this oval and the one at the recently run Hollywood meet seems evident to us -- leading at every call is much more difficult on the Pro-Ride. And, giving up ground does not hurt as much here as it often did at Hollywood. From a post position standpoint, only one winning animal broke from the innermost three posts on opening day from 10 races. Monday was nearly opposite, as five of the eight winners lefts inside gates. We'll wait to get a bigger sample of races before making any judgments. Meet Totals
Post Positions (wins):
HORSES TO WATCH Saturday (12/26) 6TH -- Former Watch List runner CARACORTADO (Cat Dreams) proved that he can negotiate two turns with a sharp win in here for owner/trainer/breeder Michael Machowsky. We'd love to see the talented gelding attempt open foes. 7TH -- GALLANT SON (Malabar Gold) proved on this day that he belongs on the lawn after a solid runner-up effort in this one. The grassy stakes winner would be very tough against listed foes on the green. 8TH -- AMAZED BY GRACE (Bowman's Band) rewarded her connections with a Grade 1-placing in her synthetic and West Coast debut for conditioner Guadalupe Preciado. The impressive sophomore could have a big 2010 if she keeps her current form. 9TH -- SUPREME SUMMIT (Cactus Ridge) lost all chance with a poor break but rallied steadily to notch fourth after settling in last behind a clear leader. The speedy sophomore belongs at the graded level. Sunday (12/27) 6TH -- GOOD MEASURE (Maria's Mon) ran a nice third in his debut while taking money for trainer Carla Gaines, and we expect the soon-to-be four-year-old to be in the winner's circle before long. 7TH -- We expected better from CHEROKEE ARTIST (Cherokee Run) in here, but we'll await the colt's return to the Pro-Ride before backing him with confidence. Monday (12/28) 2ND -- DREAM EMPRESS (Bernstein) was left with too much to do in the lane in her first off a long break, but the Kenny McPeek-conditioned filly should be set up for a big move forward in her next engagement. A Look Ahead The $150,000 San Gorgonio H. (G2) and $100,000 Monrovia H. (G3) are the features over the Holiday weekend at "The Great Race Place."
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