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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK JANUARY 14, 2010 by John Mucciolo A pair of graded events took place during the past week at Santa Anita. San Pasqual H. (G2): Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Moss' homebred NEKO BAY (Giant's Causeway) dominated this field late, pulling clear to win by an easy 1 3/4 lengths for conditioner John Shirreffs. The lightly raced seven-year-old stopped the teletimer in 1:42 4/5 under the guidance of Mike Smith. Santa Ysabel S. (G3): Michael Talla's CRISP (El Corredor) made the difficult jump from maiden to stakes in classy fashion with a one-length win in this affair under Joel Rosario. The sophomore miss finished off 1 1/16 miles in 1:43 2/5 for trainer John Sadler. Track Stats From a total of 42 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during the five-day week, favorites won at a 24 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 55 percent of the wins. From 31 frays contested on the Pro-Ride oval, four animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (13 percent), while four of the 11 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (36 percent). The turf was kind to speed types this past week, especially in down the hill turf events where three winners led at every call. While closers also accounted for wins on this green during the week, we're not used to seeing the grassy sprints won by pacesetters. As we've stated previously, leading at every call on the main oval is very difficult, and the numbers support it. The track has been fairly consistent in that regard since its inception, though. We did notice many horses pressing the early pace coming out victorious, leading us to believe that being a couple of lanes away from the rail is the ideal spot. Meet Totals
Post Positions (wins):
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (1/6) 7TH -- It's been a while since BOURBON BAY (Sligo Bay [Ire]) visited the winners' circle, but we're glad to see the Neil Drysdale charge looking like his old self somewhat. We're not confident that the four-year-old beat much here, but this could be the confidence boost that the gelding needed. Thursday (1/7) 3RD -- SLEEP TIGHT (Exchange Rate) was a strong second in this field and deserves a long look in her return for Mike Mitchell. 4TH -- TOP FEELING (Explicit) was well clear in second on this day, and the four-year-old colt will be very tough if he comes anything close to this runner-up performance next out. 7TH -- VIA VENETO (Orientate) tracked and ran down a John Sadler charge of whom we think fondly, and the once-promising filly could be returning to her best form over this ground. The four-year-old ran her final two panels in a brisk :23 2/5 and could be stakes bound in the near future. Friday (1/8) 2ND -- CANDY ARCHES (Candy Ride [Arg]) could turn out to be a useful claim for Doug O'Neill after setting the pace in this route event. A cutback in trip and sitting off the early tempo could work wonders for the gelding. 6TH -- PATRIOTIC SOLDIER (One Man Army) made a successful return to the races since being shelved since Del Mar, rallying on the outside to prevail beneath Mike Smith. The California-bred gelding has good tactical speed and a nice turn of foot, leading us to believe that he should have a productive 2010. Saturday (1/9) 6TH -- ST TRINIANS (GB) (Piccolo) is an absolute monster and has every right to be included among the top distaffers on the West Coast following her third straight demolition for trainer Mike Mitchell. She finished off her final five-sixteenths in a sparkling :29 2/5 with little urging and has yet to be challenged stateside. Sunday (1/10) 1ST -- PINK BLOSSOM (Proud Citizen) is bred to handle a route of ground and should handle virtually any surface, so we'll keep a close eye on the intriguing Bruce Headley-trained prospect as the year unfolds. We liked how the filly handled the rail at first asking and repelled a challenge late. A Look Ahead A trio of stakes events will be held on Saturday, comprising the $150,000 San Fernando S. (G2), $150,000 Santa Ynez S. (G2) and the $100,000 San Rafael S. (G3). Sunday will play host to the $150,000 El Encino S. (G2) while the $150,000 San Marcos S. (G2) is carded for Monday.
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