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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK JANUARY 7, 2010 by John Mucciolo A pair of graded events brought in the New Year at Santa Anita. San Gorgonio H. (G2): Ray Keogh's CAT BY THE TALE (Tale of the Cat) had hinted at performances like this in her recent past and put it all together in here with a facile triumph for conditioner Neil Drysdale, crossing the line 2 1/2 lengths in front. The five-year-old went nine grassy panels in 1:48 under Joel Rosario. Monrovia H. (G3): William de Burgh's TUSCAN EVENING (Ire) (Oasis Dream [GB]) continued her assault on the turf ranks out west with another tally for Jerry Hollendorfer, pulling clear late beneath Rafael Bejarano. The genuine five-year-old went about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill in 1:12 2/5. Track Stats From a total of 44 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the five-day week, favorites won at a 45 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 50 percent of the wins. From 33 frays contested on the Pro-Ride oval, four animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (12 percent), while two of the 11 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (18 percent). It was an all-or-nothing week of sorts, as 20 favorites made good from 44 races, but just two second choices crossed the wire first. The main track continues to be hard on early leaders, and we expect that trend to continue for the duration of the meet. The initial two races were taken in wire-to-wire fashion on Wednesday, but not another winner of that type surfaced until Sunday! After just one win over the first 16 races, horses breaking from posts 7 and 9 out captured nine of the remaining 28 events (32 percent). Meet Totals
Post Positions (wins):
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (12/30) 1ST -- GOOD TURN (Rio Verde) kicked off the week with a fine showing at first asking for trainer Walther Solis, cruising home an easy winner in this dash. The juvenile gelding finished his final quarter-mile in a sharp :24 2/5 and could be a promising prospect. 2ND -- CARDIFF GIANT (Yankee Gentleman) finished 4 1/2 lengths clear of third in here and should be warranted in his return for Jorge Periban. 3RD -- TAKE CONTROL (A.P. Indy) did just about everything you could ask for from a debuting juvenile, weaving his way through traffic before pulling away late in a fine showing for Bob Baffert. The well-bred colt will surely be the talk of the town until May if he continues to progress. 7TH -- TIMES GONE BY (Giant's Causeway) didn't prove his ability on the synthetic strip, but the Richard Mandella trainee is much better than he showed here and we'll await his return to the turf. Thursday (12/31) 2ND -- While we can tab each of the first five finishers in here for a return tally, we especially liked the closing punch shown by PAUL'S HOPE (Lake Austin) in here. The six-year-old loves this oval! 4TH -- The Bob Baffert-trained FUND RAISER (Harlan's Holiday) made good in here as the favorite in what could be a sign of things to come, as we think this filly has a good deal of ability. Friday (1/1) 3RD -- JET BLUE GIRL (Gimmeawink) really made the 2-5 choice work in here and finished well clear of third in a sharp runner-up effort for conditioner Peter Eurton. The sophomore lass could appreciate more ground as she wasn't tiring late. 4TH -- While claiming off trainer Kathy Walsh is not the easiest of things to do, we feel that Doug O'Neill got a useful runner in DEVIL CAT M D (Tale of the Cat), who rallied from last to top this group under Joel Rosario. Saturday (1/2) 3RD -- PRETTY UNUSUAL (Unusual Heat) made a smart return to the races in her first go since July, taking the lead in the lane before ultimately finishing second for Barry Abrams. The four-year-old should be live in her subsequent effort. 4TH -- DISTORTED DAVE (Distorted Humor) could be a name we hear throughout the spring for John Sadler, as the first-time starter flashed plenty of potential in the lane while inside after being a bit green early. Bred to handle more distance, the sophomore colt should be stakes bound before long, even though he only registered an 85 BRIS Speed number. 8TH -- We anxiously await the return of the 'real' DIAMONDRELLA (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]), who hasn't been herself in the Golden State. The classy Grade 1 heroine likely needs to remain at distances up to one mile -- and a little give in the ground wouldn't hurt. She will hopefully be shipped to a more suitable venue. A Look Ahead Saturday's $150,000 San Pasqual H. (G2) and the $100,000 Santa Ysabel S. (G3) on Sunday are the weekend features at Santa Anita.
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